Cheap post-CBS stratocaster

[StratTone]

I bought a 99 American Standard Stratocaster and
i am very unhappy with it. I can't get the intonation
to set up even decent. I have set up many guitars and I
have also been playing for about 10 years. I also have a squire that
i use just to beat around and it will setup better.
What is the weak link in the newer american standards?
Is it the neck or the bridge or is there no hope. I have
played some with a maple neck and they don't seem to
have as much as a problem. I am also using the texas specials with the staggard pole peices and they create a
lot of warble. Any info would be appreciated. thank you.

[PonyOne]

but it has been noted that the new American strats have been getting screwy as of the past few years. If you go to Ed Roman's site (www.edroman.com), he has a thing on Fenders. He actually recommends Japanese and Mexican Fenders over American ones, and I agree. I haven't played any US Fenders that grabbed my fancy that were made after 1990. I've played some Mexican and Japanese Fenders I thought were ace, which struck me as odd but I've heard plenty of people bitch about the American ones lately.