Beginner violin help!!?

My friend is going to buy a violin. He says his price range is $1000-$2000, but he throws money around a lot, and I wouldn't want him to waste it. Neither of us know anything about violins, but I play guitar, and I'm uming that he wants something like the violin equivalent of a stratocaster. I would appreciate any suggestions and any tips on what I should be looking for. Muchas gracias!