I'd recommend going for a DPMS Sportical AR-15, at $700, if you want something different. The Mini-14, while liked by a lot of people for its retro look and feel, is not competitive in terms of price and performance. It shoots like a half-decent AK (or worse than a Saiga) and usually costs similar to an AR. At $475, that one is very cheap, but I'd still pass. Unless you just want it for what it is, you're not going to be very happy with it. If you start trying to make it better you'll wind up spending more than an AR in short order, and it still won't perform as well. I like Ruger, but I don't like the Mini-14.