"The world's best-selling acoustic guitar! The original D10S was voted the #1 guitar under $500 by Acoustic Guitar magazine." --Musician's Friend
I saw that article a number of years ago. The ratings were compiled in a comparison of several guitar manufactures by three professional studio musicians. Each was graded independently by the professional, and your old Washburn won.
My son brought a D 10 CE home from college, and I found myself playing it more than i played my BR160. Comparing it to my old Sigma and Epiphone (both over 30 years old and solid tops), it sounds every bit as good. And while it's not the cannon the BR is, it's easier to play.
And while I'm not in the market for a $250 guitar now, I'd get the Washburn if I had a limited budget and was just hoping for something decent to start with. I think you just got a lemmon there Richard.