Although I haven't owned one in a number of years I remain a big fan of C&C, for solid racer/cruiser coastal use. I consider my old '76 C&C 30 as the favorite of my half dozen boats. I would say that C&C had better construction, and much better design, than the boats you mentioned. You can scan this board for old comments on the 30, or peruse the C&C board
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/ They have a very active email group.
The 30 was noted as perhaps the stiffest model C&C ever made, leading to a boat that when better and better the more the wind blew...
As to the "best deal", understand that the most you can hope in buying a boat is to actually get what you pay for... for everyone who gets what they pay for, a half dozen buyers buys someone else's boat of problems that end up costing far more than they expected. Listen to the brokers with a grain of salt, then get a good (expensive) survey on your choice,
As to price, you are more likely to come out ahead financially if you pay a premium for a boat that has been well equipped and maintained. Sellers of such boats only get back perhaps a half or less of what they may have put into them...
Good luck.