Unless you're willing to take some risk on used gear there's not a whole lot of difference on the low-end for turntables. Its not until you hit about $400 or so that there's some higher quality stuff.
I use an 80's era Onkyo turntable that I picked up for $25 at a swapmeet. Of course I spent $80 on a belt and cartridge for it but I figure I still came out ahead with a nicer cart than something new.
I do plan on getting into audio as a hobby so I'm sure I'll upgrade in time, I figure a new turntable was wise for now since there are so many moving parts.
I'm jealous that you have swapmeets around there - there's almost zero used audio market here in NYC, and craigslist is stalked by collectors so prices inflated. Mixed with all the hipsters in thrift stores I'm basically left with ebay (where shipping kills a lot of deals)
As a complete aside, anyone know of any guides for troubleshooting older gear? I love tinkering but don't know where to start