Back in the day, the Chinese models were $35 apiece (wholesale crate price) and were good guns even though condition wise some were pretty rough. After the surplus ones kinda seemed to dry up, they made new ones with pinned rather than screwed barrels, etc. (most AK's are pinned).
These days, if one could find a decent Chinese model w/ screwed barrel and forged parts for under $300, I'd prolly jump if I were wanting one.
Several years ago the yugos were selling everywhere in the $100 range. I don't think they may have increased as much in price as the Chinese, Russian, Albanians, etc.
As already mentioned, unless just wanting an SKS, I'd opt for a cheap AK any day unless I found a smoking deal somewhere on an SKS.
BTW, I think every red-blooded American should have one (both AK & SKS but at least an AK)