RE: newbie.
If you search the Wal-Mart clearance section, you might find a Shark or Gator for $20. They've passed the peak of their season, so your Wal-Mart might be still clearing them out. My wife once found a Wally sub on clearance as late as December--but that was after searching the clearance section of all our city Wal-Marts, and finding it at the last one.
As you might expect for $20, they look like toys.