I have 1.5 xrc8s because I bought one for $100 (owner took it apart to regrease it, couldn't get it back together, got tired of looking at the pile of parts) and a broken parts-only one for $50. For what I have into it, I'm pretty happy... not sure I'd pay full price for one though.
I vote fix the warn, so I guess I'm glad you already decided to go that route.