As many have mentioned it is completely up to what you are looking for.

You can buy a quality new guitar or put yourself out there and buy a used higher end guitar.

So far I have been fortunate with both of these methods.

I have owned a Seagull S6+ for about five years and have been pleased with its sound both unplugged and amplified.

I also own two Normans. One B20 CW HG with the Fishman prefix electronics and one B20 CW with the fishman prefix pro electronics. I love these guitars and will never part with them. I think my next guitar will be a ST68CW.

The sound of the Normans are very mellow unplugged, but once plugged in I find that they cut through the band mix very well.

I was fortunate and found a 2003 Taylor 410ce (Fishman electronics) on Ebay for $1000. It by far has the richest tone and overall best value of any instrument that I own. This one is a "lifer" as well.

I like my wife's Big Baby Taylor as well. It has about 80% of the sound of a mid-level Taylor for 40% of the price. Its a great student guitar and a great travel companion.

I have also owned a Larrivee LV03. It was a beautiful instrument, but its tone was not THAT much better than my (plugged in) Normans that I could justify owning it. But I have a great appreciation for what Larrivee is putting out there.