definitely spend the extra cash to get at LEAST the Striker line. The pacers and focus series are made of an alder laminite body, basically plywood. The striker and higher are solid alder. Solid is better. Also makes it a little lighter, but hey if cash is a problem, don't let it stop you.
I think its funny if you wanna buy a 24 pack of black focuses from them you can get them for $1600 bucks. That's dirt cheap.
So. If you throw a cat out of a car window, is it considered "kitty litter"?