I have played strats for nearly 20 years.

I currently have a TexMex Calif strat, a USA made Jap strat (I series), a Mexican Tele and a standard US Strat.

Where it is assembled is no indication of how the guitar will play or sound. There is a lot of variability between strats and Teles are just weird !

Ok so having qualified my opinion here are my words of wisdom....

Buy second hand and don't pay more than 500 USD. Try before you buy, cos there is a lot of variability in Fender quality control playing the very axe you are going to buy. If you are going to buy on line make sure they have a free returns policy (with no restocking fee).

Strats are strange next to LPs the extra scale length makes a big difference though that is not to say they are slower. My Jap Strat has the fastest action I have ever played ! Puts my Lp and PRS to shame !