Decent budget turntable?

Project Debut III, with a cartridge and a great arm. An excellent table.

I've recently seen examples of the venerable, but still great, AR XA turntable in good condition being offered here on audiogon.com for around $150.00.

Add a decent, reasonably-priced MM cartridge like a Shure M97, Sumiko Pearl, Audio-Technica AT-95, et cetera, (check LP Gear for good catridge info!) plus a thorough set-up job, and you'll have a good basic --and I do mean basic-- suspended 'table for not more than $300.00.

I have to disagree about a vintage turntable, when so many outstanding new beginner tables are for sale. When I say 'vintage' I mean AR era.. Once you find a used Rega P3 for $150. then I would go for it HAH HAH.. (MY bias) but really buy a new TT that comes with a cart, or a recent used one with cart here on the goN'
The first poster Project Debut III.. go for it.
The reason i say buy one with cart is few do setup anymore. Go to your local Hi-Fi place ?(Does such a place exist in 99% of the USA?)and even they don't "do" TT setup anymore. Sure, they can screw on the cart.. but do it right?
So, Go for the premounted new TT, or a used one with the premounted cart. (Rega uses a three point mount which negates mounting woes.. but I who have a Rega P5 use a none 3 point cart)

A good phono pre amp is just as important as the TT and cartridge. Any budget should include a good one.