... If you like the guitar and you've got the 'crinkle' why not buy a good guitar. As previously mentioned they usually sound better and play well plus they hold their value and resale better.

... The danger can be you overlook lower cost instruments that can play and sound just as good and almost every model has it's good and bad examples.

... I tried a friends ESP 'cheap' strat years ago which was great to play and I've been searching for an equal ever since. Strangely, Max, my buddy who owns the ESP still raves about his first Squire strat and they don't get much cheaper.

... (Mind you I do have my custom shop Schecter strat and you'll have to pry it from my cold dead fingerrrrrss! :D )