I own a Marlin 60, and it is a reliable, accurate rifle.
My preference is the Ruger 10/22 though. I like having detachable magazines. That way I can have four or five loaded magazines on the bench and just swap them out. Loading the Marlin's tube can be a pain, and I still haven't figured out quite how to do it while maintaining muzzle discipline at the range. The options of customizing the Ruger are almost endless as well. Here are pics of mine that cost under $100 total including the scope. I buy used at pawn shops.
The Ruger 10/22 generally goes for about $100 used in a pawn shop in my area. The Marlin 60 averages $60-75. If you really want to save some dough and like the Marlin, search out a Glenfield 60. It's the same gun with a lesser quality stock that was marketed by Otasco or Montgomery Ward. They are rarely over $50 used.
If you want to customize a 10/22, you can get into the game cheaply by purchasing a pawnshop gun and swapping out the parts as you go.
Here's my page on my enhanced 10/22s.
Rimfire Central has all the info you could dream of regarding buying and building .22 rifles.