You should certainly be able to find a good Martin in that price range. I would definately recommend playing a few, not buying sound unheard from the web. A couple of years ago a purchaced a new Gibson J-45 (workinghorse). Two years ago it was in the middle of your price range, don't know about now. It has a great sound, loud and fairly even across the strings. It does not have the big bass boom of the Martins, which you may or may not like. Playability is excellent and I have had absolutely zero problems. I did have a Taylor years ago and had problems with it, sold it. It was very finicky, had to be tweaked often. Could just have been the one I had, but was enough for me not to get another even though I like their sound and playability.