Within a few weeks of buying a Savage, I had replaced the seat, seat post, quick release and tire. Now the frame is starting to split where it attaches to the bearings. This problem can be temporarily solved with hose clamps purchased for $1 at an autoparts store. A longer-term fix, if you know how to weld, is shown here.
Plenty has already been written about Savages on various threads here, such as this one.
As far as the new uni you’re shopping for, get a 300mm seat post. As a couple of others have said, you can always cut it if it’s too long, but I’m pretty sure you won’t need to.