"Budget" rifle.

Is everyone past the idea of the budget rifle? I know I am and I've noticed "can you build a rifle for under $1k" videos have kinda disappeared. I feel like it's very easy to spend 2 to 3k on a quality gun and you still don't have "the best" rifle but you still have something that is of extreme quality. I'm talking gun, optics, light,everything. I feel that having something that is very reliable and a quality brand is worth it. Anyone else feel me on this?