I am biased (I have a D-18GL). I don't really play, but I love my guitar. You can see it on the home page of my GL web site at
www.gordonlightfoot.com (scroll down).
If you can spend about $1000, I would suggest a Martin D-15. They are all Mahogany (or Sapele), and aren't very pretty (sort of a chocolate brown affair), but they are worth it. I think they are the best Martin "bargain", with the advantages of a Martin and a wonderful sound at an affordable price. Our own Lightfoot fan friend Cathy Cowette plays one. You can listen to the clips from her CD to hear what it sounds like
www.cathycowette.com (she recorded 6 Lightfoot songs). It still sounds like that, even after a tumble from a float. A crack yes, but the sound is still wonderful. (The guitar in her home page photo is not the Martin, but the rest of the guitar pictures are).