ALL my acoustics combined are less than $500.
I have a Yamaha, a large jumbo model with gold hardware and white binding on the fret board and around the spruce top. Beautiful, jazzy tone and great playability. Got it years ago for well under $100 factory refurbished.
I also have an imported Harmony made about ten years ago that sounds very good, but the neck it a bit harder to play than the Yamaha.
I have a 1960 Goya (Imported by Martin) that is a beautiful sounding guitar, and very well made. I paid about $40 for it about 30 years ago. I just bought a 1939 Harmony archtop for about $140 that is currently being given a bit of TLC, but it is a great old guitar.
The solution to your problem is to play as many different guitars as you can, buy what sounds good and feels right in your hands. You might be surprised.
mark