Which guitar to buy for University?

[LightningBoy]

My eldest is off to Uni next week, staying in Halls. His guitars at home are 50th Anniversary Strat and a Martin Dreadnought. He can’t take his electric and I’d prefer it if he doesn’t take the Martin. It’s his Birthday in a couple of weeks so I’m going to get him either and acoustic or an electric acoustic and a mini amp to take with him. 
 

What used guitars could I get, sub £500, that would come close to playing like the Martin?

 

[Kiwi]

Acoustic?  There's quite a drop off in quality within your price bracket.  The necks are less reliable, the guitars aren't set up properly, frets need levelling, the woods are dried too quickly and can warp as they really season.  I would suggest bumping the price up a little and go second hand.  That way any faults are easier to spot.  I have a soft spot for Yamahas as they are usually pretty reliable but Alvarez, Guild and Taylor are also worth considering.

[EdwardMarlowe]

For electric, there's all the obvious Harley Benton options. I'd suggest, unless he has a strong preference otherwise, something F oriented rather than G style for sheer durability's sake if it's gonig to be lying around a shared space here it might get knocked over... 

 

For acoustic... there the price difference will be much more noticeable, though all the same imo there are a lot of very decent acoustic out there at the budget end, especially if you're willing to spend as high as £300. Sigma are Martin's Squier, in effect, so might be worth considering from that pov. I've long been a big fan of Tanglewood acoustics, and the Vintage brand have some very nice acoustics around the £300 mark. May be some sale bargains there if the brand are being wound down. 

Just a thought, though... Might be worth considering something a little left field here. A very decent, single-cone resonator can be had for £500. That's something different than the Martin when he comes home, and a brass or steel bodied resonator might just prove a lot more durable in some comedian at a dorm party thinks they're John Belushi. Not exactly a 'silent practice' option, but nor is any other acoustic really.