Why not a used Azimut?

If:
-It fits your needs well and you like it
-Boat and engines survey well, including electrical
-You sea trial it, including rough conditions, and like it.

Then no reason not to buy it.

Put it through it's paces, but don't fall so in love before that if the surveyor finds problems or if you take a sea trial and don't like how it handles rough water, you continue anyway. That's not just aimed at Azimut, but any boat.

And I emphasize rough conditions, even if you have to make your own. Nearly every boat rides great on smooth water.

You've read the threads, so you know the issues. I'd be more inclined to buy used than new in the same hopes you have that the issues would have been addressed. How many hours on the boat? Ideally you'd like to see 1200 to 2400 (100 to 200 per year. Less and she was a dock queen and the issues may not have been addressed. Also check the ownership records. Was she sold every 2 or 3 years or did one owner have her for most of that time? These also can be indicators of how she was treated. The parts situation is am issue, an that only gets worse with age. l

I'm going to say this in fairness. While I would not buy an Azimut, there are happy owners of them. A worse record than other brands but still. You'll need to make your own decision on the particular boat you're considering.

Alternatives-dozens from Hatteras to Sunseeker to Princess to Viking. Then toss in Trawler brands and semi-displacement trawler like boats, so Kadey Krogen, Grand Banks, etc.

What are your requirements in the boat? How do you intend to use it and where? How many typically aboard? What is your experience?

Boats are all about compromise. Since there are always compromises someone is always going to have a problem with any set of compromises, and other people will be fine with them. What you really don't want to compromise is any of the running capacity of the yacht (because that is unsafe, and it prevents you from using your boat). A drain that doesn't drain properly is more of a lifestyle impingement, it's unpleasant, but you can make due. If you don't want to risk any compromises, prepare to pay a lot for a boat from a highly reputable builder whose main focus is function, but even there you might be compromising on time (for a custom) or styling (if they don't make what you prefer). One of the most commonly issues with yachts like these are the finishes, people report losing surface treatments (like foam) or surfaces that are improperly prepared and permanently ugly, or uncleanable. Those are also major lifestyle compromises, but you can schedule repairs at your convenience, which is nice.

I would look at Sunseeker, Princess/Viking Sport Cruiser or Sea Ray. The first two being a bit better in quality. We bought a 1 owner 10 year old 50 ft Viking SC flybridge with 750 hours on her. She was very well maintained by a meticulous owner. In our 6.5 seasons we have put over 1000 hours on the boat including 3 ½ round trips from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas (on our way right now). The Sunseeker/Vikings are a very good compromise between sea worthiness, style/usability, and build quality. No coring from the rub rail down in a Viking SC. We looked at Azimut and you can get a lot of boat for the money, but parts and service are much more difficult then the Viking. There were also quality issues where the British built boats are superior in hardware, interior goods, electrical layout, and overall serviceability.

The main compromise with these style boats are less interior room than say a Hatteras or trawler style, but you get a nice cockpit and built in swim platform with a big flybridge, so if you are island hopping and like water sports then these style flybridges are really well suited. Docking is also less stressful with good walkaround access and a big cockpit. If you like to run on plane for some distances, then a cruise speed of 20 plus knots with relatively reasonable fuel mileage is a major benefit relative to the trawlers or heavy Hatteras.

Everything else being equal I'd choose the Neptunus. The problem is everything else is seldom equal. I know someone right now desperately searching for a boat in South Florida as he just sold his, and that boat he wants just isn't out there. It's available in large numbers in Europe.