Taylor is a big name, and I guess they earned it. They're good. But they all sound the same as other guitars of the same model. Not that it's bad- it's just you won't find spectacular Taylors.
Not that I care- they're all good.
I have a Taylor 310ce, not a bad guitar at all.
But if it's acoustic you're looking for, you could try to get a used Larrivee. Those things sound sooooo good. Well, they're getting big now, so quality is more or less "big factory" level, or getting that way now.
But they're much cheaper than Taylors, sound as good if not better... if you can find an older model.
Breedloves, love 'em or hate 'em, I guess. Some sound awesome- just gotta find the great ones. They're also less than durable, I hear, and rmills' testimonial gives evidence to that claim...
But hey, Shane Barnard plays a Breedlove and it sounds sweeeeeeet.