I purchased a yamaha about 7 years ago
APX 500 ii electro acoustic.
In my budget range was an ibanez & a fender which i liked ( can't remember models)
Any way the yamaha sound seemed way better than the other 2, so thats's what i went with.
Still plays really nice now, also since upgraded my amp, which has an acoustic option & it sounds great.
That's just my humble opinion, hope it helps