I've only started playing again a few years ago and always bought average guitars. Recently I bought a Maton acoustic, I haven't touched my beloved Warlock since. You will always want better sound quality, tone and most of all playability, buy a cheap guitar and you will never "feel" the sound like you do with quality. I spent a year convincing my wife that I "needed" a Maton, I wonder how long before she lets me get my Hammet series EMG.
Shop around, like LATS said, Pawn shops, they will unearth some real treasures sometimes.