I think the best "cheap" guitar is one that you learn and grow on... it doesn't have to be any specific brand or model... Just a guitar that inspires you to learn more and grow as a guitar player. I don't think it would have mattered if I had a Squire Strat or an Epi Special II... or a cheap Behringer... or whatever... as long as it would have kept me interested... it's a good guitar by me!! You can't expect much more than that from a budget guitar. Squires and Epi's are about the best quality that you're going to get from a sub 100 dollar electric though... It's just so much cheaper for them to make them than other people.