I purchased a WE Scar-L from a user on the forums here and after an open bolt upgrade it has been incredible. Ignoring the AEG specification, the ergonomics of the Scar are great. Some do find them to be a bit front heavy but that's a personal preference thing. For an AEG, my first was a G&G Top Tech TR4-18 (416 variant). It has been my workhorse for the last few years and has never let me down. This season I'm running a new SMP in it and so far it's a killer. However, they are not licensed and are missing out on some trademarks and finishes other brands are running with.
With your budget, I would recommend taking a look at VFC if you want a rock solid build and authentic trademarks. My only regret running the G&G was the aesthetics aspect. You can't go wrong with a 416-styled rifle and any AR-15/M-4/M-16/416 style rifle will have a plethora of aftermarket parts and upgrades for the choosing. The nice thing about both Scars and M-4 styles is that they both use the same style (STANAG) magazines so if you're already running a series of pouches for these types, you won't have to spend cash on changing out your load bearing gear.
My suggestion is to visit a local store if you can and handle several models to see what feels right to you. I think the general consensus on the forums these days is that VFC is making some rockstar AEGs and should be near the top of your list for options. However, if you're looking to accessorize or anything, other brands like G&G, G&P, etc will fill the role as well. With their (generally) lower costs, you can spend the rest of your budget on extras.
Good luck!
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