Need help deciding on whether or not to get a real Stratocaster

[PiPBoyV3]

Here's the deal: I've been playing guitar for about 4 years now. The first guitar I've ever owned was a Washburn Lyon "Stratocaster" guitar, which I bought from Target, which also came with a small practice amp and all the accessories. Obviously I've gotten better and more knowledgeable with guitars since then, and six months ago I upgraded to a Epiphone Studio Les Paul (yes, I kinda regret going with the cheaper version, but it doesn't sound bad at all) and got myself a Vox VT30 modeling amp. I'm happy with my purchase, but now that I've gotten my hard rock and metal fix, I want to get a real Stratocaster and rock out with that 50s, 60s, and 70s classic rock tone by the likes of Led Zepp, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc.

So today I've been looking at prices for an American Strat, and this is the best deal I've found:

[U][url]http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-American-Standard-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=515748[/url][/U]

Is this the cheapest this guitar is going to get, or is it worth waiting for a price-drop? I realize you get what you pay for, so I don't plan on buying a $600 Mexican-made Strat standard to save a few bucks.

Also, this may sound like a stupid question, but is there going to be a huge difference in playability between my hokey Lyon Strat and a real Stratocaster? I've never seen or played a real one, so I wouldn't know

Final question: I've decided to get a Rosewood fretboard,but if I'm going to get this, what color should I get? I can't decide between the Olympic White, the 3-tone Sunburst, plain Black, or the Candy Cola Red (kinda looks a little brownish to me).

[Death_]

No question about it. Seriously I got a [url=http://www.fender.com/blackie/]Blackie[/url] (So pretty much a custom shop fender) and I have never looked back. It's worth spending all the extra money.

[url=http://www.fender.com/customshop/home/index.php]Fender Custom Shop[/url]

[Olinaj]

Or just go to your local guitar shop and see and play what they have.

[King_of_Town]

You should, then you'd be one of the strat cats

*solid*