IMO, the Volvo Penta "cone clutch" drive will be superior to the Merc "Dog Clutch" engagement "A" drive.
The A drive requires the SI (shift interrupt system).
Search the forums on issues with Dog Clutch gear engagment and the SI......, and I won't have make negative comments about Dog Clutch gear engagement.
An "A" drive will always offer some degree of shifting issues.... and will always be a single prop drive.
Conversely, the V/P drive is cone clutch.... and generally will not offer any shift issues..... and any can be converted to the Duo Prop.
The Volvo Penta boats will generally bring a bit more in price... both during YOUR purchase, and when YOU sell.
So this can be a good thing!
However, if Volvo Penta is to be considered, Bayliner did NOT use Volvo Penta after approximately 1986 or so.
(Brunswick Family Boat Company owns Mercury Marine... so all gasoline B/L's today are now Merc)
So you'd be looking at boats other than Bayliner if Volvo Penta were to become important to you.
So I'm going to suggest that you:
1..... look for a V/P powered boat..... preferably prior to the SX or DP-S style drive models (the AQ series.... the good stuff).
2..... have a survey performed (structural and mechanical).... this will be money well worth spending that could easily save you an unwanted expense later on.
3.... do a Sea Trial...... and see if the boat performs as you would expect it to. Be sure to load the boat as YOU normally would as though you owned it.
(the ole trick is to Un-Load a boat that is being sold.... making the sea trial more impressive!)
FYI: the AQ series drives ran along side the SX and DP-S drives up through approx 1995-1996 or so.
These would be the Non-Gimbal suspension type drives.
IMO, these drives offer much better geometry, easier service, and much easier DIY service.
Like said.... this is the Good Stuff!
.