I have a '93 854 and a '94 855 and a '88 245. To all but an idiot like me I would say avoid the '93. While I don't know the 740, the difference in maintenance cost and ease of service between the 850 and older models is great. True, the comforts are greater, however, you are talking about a 16 year old. How much comfort do they need?

My 17 yr old got an old '87 240 from an aunt for 'free' that needed 'work'. I spent a bunch of time and a bunch of money getting it back to road ready. New tires, brakes, taillight, tune up, new belts and so on. All told about $1000 and 2 weekends. On an 850 would probably have costed twice as much and taking longer. Within a week, he went to fast on a wet road and totaled it.

So you never know.

Save the money and reward him with a '95 in a couple years once he proves himself. Much less trouble then '93