Marlin went through a rough patch a while back, and the internet is never going to forget it. I just did an exhaustive search of Marlin leverguns at all the gun stores within a reasonable driving distance. All of the new Marlin's I looked at looked decent. I didn't see any crooked barrels, clearly sloppy work or similar issues like they were shoving out the door several years ago. They operated relatively smoothly for new guns, and had serviceable triggers. Wood to metal fit was reasonable, on par with guns they've made in the past. Blueing and polishing was decent. My biggest complaint about new Marlins is I don't like the larger, checkered forestocks and buttstocks they are putting on the guns now.
You can buy a brand new 336W at The Wal-Mart right now for $345. That's one hell of a bargain. It's got a matte finish and the wood isn't walnut, but if you want a functional rifle capable of killing assholes and most of the game animals in North America, you get alot for your money.
I wound up buying a 1988 Marlin 336CS because it had a very nice trigger and the older, slimmer wood.
People wax about "JM Stamped" Marlin lever guns like they were bespoke rifles. They're not. They've always been a mass produced rifle that a working class guy could afford if he saved and worked a little overtime maybe. I could pick up any "classic era" Marlin and find something to nit pick about regarding wood to metal fit, and etc.