The price is OK if the gun is in good condition and has not been messed with. The 10/22 is a good, reliable, and accurate rifle, though the magazines are not real easy to work with. The main attraction is that there are hundreds of after-market magazines, stocks, sights, triggers, etc.
You can make a 10/22 into a nice sporting rifle or a mean looking (aka "neat" and "cool") light machinegun lookalike by hanging on various accessories.
I don't recommend one for a beginner, but then I don't recommend any semi-auto for a beginner, especially a young one.
Jim