I reckon a 2nd hand raft is the best option, unless you intend using it for racing.
I bought a top of the range Plastimo ORC Offshore 6 man raft on eBay for $1000. It then cost me $700 for the service. I would have preferred a 4 man one as I sail short handed but there wasn't a good one for sale. This one is an outstanding life saving device.
RFD said the raft was in excellent condition in the first service and I am just about to get its 3 yearly service done, expecting about $600.
However, the racing requirements don't allow me to use it because I bought it after a certain date. If I had bought it before that date it is accepted as a Cat 1 raft. Yachts are using the same raft right now in Cat 1 races but I can't. As they say, go figure.
The moral of the story, do your homework first if you want to use it for racing.