The LT-1 starters up here in Canada are $300 that includes $100 core charge. I also have a brand new mini & 1 used. They work fine but the LT-1 is stronger looking to me? When I blew out a freeze plug & head gasket the plug hit the mini & took a chunk out of the housing & it broke in about 4 peices. Altho it worked well for over 5-6 years.
The LT-1 comes with a printout page from testing with a signature & ID number as well.