Ok Dude,

First up you should consider that there is huge variation in strats.
The way they play, the way they sound may come down to intricacies such as the individual bits of wood used, how uniform the winding of the pickups was (i.e. hotter Pus in some relative to other especially true of the older hand wound models) which makes them subtly different.

The other thing to consider is an individuals playing style. A guitar that is perfect and loved / cherished by player A may be despised by player B. the strats I have are all very different from each other and different again from my LPs PRS and Jackson.

Do I consider the Strat to be a "Classic' design and why?
Yes as it was the first in its class after LPs and Telecasters which are different beasts entirely.

Do I own /play a fender strat?
yes and yes

I have an early I series 'Jap" strat with "made in the USA" stamped on the back of the neck (1989), A California series Tex mex (bits made in the USA and assembled in Mexico) strat (1998) and a Mexican "standard" Fender strat.(1996).
All of them are different.
Check out my instructors page for more Info.

Why did I buy them:
I don't care about whatever reputation Fender have. I parted with Cash for these axes because I liked the way they play / sound.