Inexpensive Good Vintage Turntables?

Any Empire! I have four in my TT collection. Truly excellent American-made belt drives with powerful motors and heavy platters. 

It isn't just the turntable, but the arm, cartridge, phono stage and particular pressings, in top condition, cleaned. That is going to cost money. No way you get what "vinyl" has to offer without spending money. Some people are happy to go "used" and vintage; others are wary, short of a full restoration. 

If I budget this, it isn't cheap. And we haven't even talked about the cost of the "software." Record prices are high, and grading is all over the place. That said, I've been very fortunate- I talk to sellers in advance, because I don't want to have to return. And in a very few cases have I had to, given the number of records bought online. Just be aware that this isn't an idle pursuit, if you want to realize what good LP playback can offer. 

Not that I like the prices any more than you do. 

Bill Hart

@lohanimal The GL75 or a close matching model from Lenco is a good option.

The Lenco GL75 is very good suggestion and Lenco Heaven Forum is a great place to find ideas, instruction, pictorials and inspiration to get it up to its very best.

Another bonus of the GL75 is that there are designs produced for it by owners that can be seen on the LH Forum, that have it in use as a Belt Drive and Idler Drive.

For plug-n-play get a new Pioneer PLX1000 ($700) and an AT740ML cartridge. No headaches worrying about restoration costs. I bought one to add to my TT collection. I put a Denon 103R mc on it. Sounds excellent! Go to the Stereophile archives and read Herb Reichert's review from a few years back! 

@whart don’t discourage the OP.

U can clearly spend silly money but plenty of fun can be had without blowing the budget.

Goldring 1042 cartridge is excellent as is the 1022 which is cheaper. A rega planer 3 or systemdeck with an rb250 or rb300 are very reliable and sound fine. Both very easy to upgrade