Those are fantastic machines, and there's a plethra of parts availability and support in the world for them. Their fuel consumption should be on par with the 10K Cummins-Onan units (which is really good by most opinions), and I'd wager they're quieter than a MEP. If you're a welder either by hobby or trade, then it's a double win! I've seen those used everywhere from the Alaskan Pipeline to mining sites in the Desert Southwest. The sheetmetal is an easy cosmetic thing to fix down the road at leisure, a cost savings I'm sure...unless you're not a welder, then it sounds like great opportunity to flip it after some repairs and make some side cash.
My brother went the route of a Diesel light plant from Iron Planet instead of an 802 private party (I bought it instead). Lower cost of entry, and it's an 8KW unit...had to compromise with his wife.
I see the surplus MEP world as an enthusiast's/hobbyist's world...I think it's fair to say the MEPs prob demand a little more attention by the operator to operate and maintain than a commercially available unit...but I'm certain the MEPs will take more abuse in a harsher environment, and are more adapt to auxiliary fuel supply. After 20+ in military aviation, the MEPs are a better fit for me...we're a little institutionalized after that many years I guess.
There's something to be said for all the different platforms...I'd want to sit down with a pad and do pros and cons collums if i was in your shoes, but I'd have no use for the welder so it wouldn't be a good fit for me. Let us know which route you end up going, good luck!
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk