What is a good weighted midi keyboard?

Question

I play a Yamaha DGX-202. I would like to get a keyboard that has more of a piano feel. Options I am weighing are getting a weighted midi controller or a stage piano. I have limited budget ($200-300) and space (one room studio, stuff all piled up)

Answer 1

Honestly, your budget will not get you very far. Since you asked for my (and 1000's of others') opinion, here it is: You can get an 88-key digital piano that is midi ready and beautifully weighted that will fit into a small space nicely. I have a Kawai ES1, and I adore it. It fits nicely into a small space.
Sorry, but $200-$300 is not going to cut it for a good midi/wieghted digital piano. I would suggest waiting it out, and saving up until you can get something a bit nicer. After all, you want something that will last you a few years, right? You should also check craigslist.com and Ebay. You might be able to get some good deals on a used piano. Also, if you have a music-go-round in your area, you might find a used piano that is in nice shape and affordable. Many music stores also have rent-to-own situations. You could get a $2000 digital piano with a payment plan, but the downside is that a lot of music stores will let you make payments (maybe $150/month) for 6 months, then you will have to pay the rest in full with a balloon payment. That all depends on the store, though.
Go to your local music stores, try out what they have in stock, and ask if they have any payment plans. If they don't, write down what you liked, then check the websites I mentioned for a used one. You can get a very nice digital piano used. Most of the time, the previous owner is only selling it because they upgraded. If you buy one used, though, make sure you can check it out before committing to buying it.
Really, if you are serious about getting this keyboard, get something high quality. I know it's expensive, but you could spend $300 on a crappy keyboard that will break down in a couple of years, or you could save up and get a nice digital piano for $2000 that will keep its sound quality for years. When you do get a good piano, take care of it. Keep it covered when you're not using it. Dust and dirt between the keys will really mess it up. I know from personal experience.