well maybe the pricing for American Strats is a lot lower in the States. I've never seen a new american strat for under $1,500 Canadian which is just over 1,200 American. I've never heard of a New American Strat as low as 800 bucks. I'd love to pay that much for a new Yankee Strat though
Those suggestions are not bad. I would be warry of Godin though. They don't sound anything like a Paul and play more like an Ibenez. Yamaha play fairly strat like but have an unconvincing tone. Never seen or heard a Dean to my knowledge. I would not suggest Ibenez either as they have their own distinct tone just like Gibsons or Fenders do.
There are always instruments available. If you are willing to spend 500 bucks in a stretch I could see you maybe talking someone into a Strat from the mid 1990's. It would probably need a bit of work done to it depending on how much it was played. There are always deals. My 1st serious isntrument was probably 1,200 bucks and ig ot it for 500 bucks 1 year old second hand from someone who bought it and never played it.
I think what you might have to do is pick which one you would rather more. Tone or Playability. My suggestion would be to get an Eiphone Les Paul. They can be purchased for around 500-600 bucks for a good one. Not the cheap ass ones as the neck will just fall off after any amount of playing. The 500-700 dollar range on those guitars produce a good sounding and playing instrument for all styles. I would suggest looking into the new Fender Lite series. They come in Tele's or Strats. Made in Korea I believe. The have semour duncan pickups and sound just great and play well to. However that's all Strat sound and playability. I almost bought one a few months ago.