Looking for not too expensive Turntable

I can recommend any of the vintage Empire TT's. Belt drive and a high torque motor. I own three - with a fourth on the way!

Tons of choices under $250 on ebay.  Just budget enough for a new cartridge or stylus.  A cheap and cheerful Ortofon Red, Grado or Audio Technica should do the trick.

@lewm 

Denon DP80 can "beat" SP10 Mk2 by a small margin. Can be found for $600 to $900. (I owned them both, both in custom slate plinths, ran them side by side in my system. End of editorial.)

 The OP said the budget is $250 for the whole system 

If one was buying new, the Audio Technica LP-120 comes with a AT-95E cartridge. A friend of mine owns one and it seems very well built for the price (~$250 Amazon). I would also check out Music Direct, The Record Doctor, and Audio Advisor for alternatives.   

Dear Chakster,  I guess I was responding to your bald statement that "nothing" can beat the SP10 Mk2, presumably in its price range and in the category of vintage direct-drive types.  My remark was just meant in fun.  However, I agree that "below $250" is not the price range for either the DP80 or the SP10 mk2.  I've held on to my DP80, even though I do not use it regularly, just because the market value is so ridiculously low compared to its capabilities.  (I listen to the SP10 Mk3 and the Kenwood L07D most of the time.) I'd prefer to have the DP80 around just to look at, rather than to sell it for the too low price it could command.