[cwiert]

I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years now...I'll give the same advice I give to anyone who asks... If you're just learning, get something inexpensive that plays well (well, how would you know that, right?) Take a guitar player with you and just let them feel it out, how do the frets feel, how's the action (string height), etc. But I'd go with something inexpensive until you know that playing is something you enjoy and want to do for a long time... then jump into the higher end models.
Intro-level guitar quality has come a long way and even some "cheap" beginners models can still play very nice.

Personally, I have a Fender USA Lonestar strat which I love, a Gibson Les Paul which sounds fantastic, and I still have my first guitar... a $300 Ibanez that is still fun to tool around with now and again. (Plus a bunch of acoustics).