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.

I acquired the vinyl habit about 1.5 years ago. My experience with vinyl is that either your in (fully committed there is a lot to learn) or you are out. That does not mean expensive but it does mean committed if you are going to experience its full capability. All the things that were said by earlier posters are true and I would add cleaning LP's, cartridge/arm matching,cartridge mounting, setting vta,vtf,rsa etc. Ultimately you have to enjoy the activity as well as the music. Having said that Rega TT with rega cartridge is probably the best way to try vinyl because Rega's do not require many of the adjustments that have been mentioned. Good luck.