I dunno, Robert, there is alot of "bang for the buck" with a MIM... But those Special Edition Squiers that Spuds has posted look pretty darn good for the price!
I believe the Hwy 1 Strat to be a relatively decent value for a 'Merican made Strat, and I happen to like the thinner finishes.
The best, absolute best Strat I have ever played was a Lite Ash Strat, with Seymour duncan pups, birdseye maple neck and fretboard and a natural finish, and black pickguard, pup covers and knobs. I don't know if it was that particular guitar, the tube amph I was playing through or what, but that guitar felt great in my hands. Swamp ash = tone, and you can't go wrong with SD pups. The neck felt more substantial than a garden variety MIM, but it still felt good and comfortable. They were $599.00 back then (they're $629.00 USD at the 'Friend now), and I just didn't have the money to afford it at the time (and, unfortunately, still don't now).
Here's what the Lite Ash Strat looks like... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...ase_pid=511337
I also want to try the Deluxe Player's Strat. It's an MIM model, but with a flatter fretboard radius and a different pup switching system. Those Strats make me drool...
Since you have an SX bass, I saw this over at Rondo's site, and I think it looks pretty good. With a black prewired pickguard from GFS, it could be a poor man's Lite Ash Strat (except the ash probably isn't swamp ash and the neck and fretboard are flame maple instead of birdseye), and it even comes with a case for $169.00 USD! http://www.rondomusic.net/sstltd2.html (standard disclaimers about not working with, or being any way affiliated with Rondo apply)
So, I guess the answer to your question, my friend, is if I had the money, one of each, please...