Just under $3,000? Are Springfield M1As (about $1500) low quality? I thought those were pretty much the standard by which all M1As are measured?
Lot's of people are hung up on USGI parts for some reason. These parts are getting rarer and harder to find. The theory is the parts are better because they are mil spec and are forged or milled. While that maybe true, in a combat weapon, for 99% of civilian shooters it's simply a want.
Springfield keeps cost down by using cast receivers (nothing wrong with them) cast and MIM parts. This allows them less machining and fitting time which really can run the price up. The M1A doesn't have the advantage of being the current issue rifle and the shear volume of production ARs do to have cheap, quality, "mil spec" parts. Most rifles will work right out of the box, if yours doesn't Springfield's lifetime warranty will fix it.
Some companies like LRB make forged receivers and bolts but the bare receiver cost almost as much as a Springer M1A. There is nothing wrong with a Springfield, they are quality and backed by excellent customer service and support. They also try to hit every price point for the average shooter: standard M1A start ~$1200, Loaded models add some nice features and start ~$1400, National match, etc get into the $2000 range because of all the hand fitting and options; and I didn't even get into the Scouts, SOCOM, etc. The M1As will also accept USGI parts, if you must, so you can buy as you find deals and fit them to the rifle. That keeps you form dropping $2500 at once anyway.
One last thing, the only USGI parts that you absolutely want to use are mags. Current Checkmate mags (USGI contractor and OEM supplier for Springfield and others) are ~$25 and will save you a headache vs Korean junk, and US aftermarket junk and save money vs. renamed, branded mags. Older USGI mags are good to go but expensive and lot's of people love them now for collections.