I studied music in college and learned many instruments to get my degree. One thing that I discovered the hard way (through injury) is that of all musicians, beginners need good instruments with good action, playability and tone. Otherwise, musicians learn on a poor instrument and pick up bad habits, positions and techniques to compensate for a poor instrument. Beginners get more satisfying results and are more likely to stick with it when they start with a good instrument.
Whatever you learn to play, get a good instrument. Buy a used one from a local music store that is run by musicians that play themselves. If you change your mind, you can always sell it back and consider the "loss" as your rental cost on the instrument.
Shoshana (who had to give up playing her instrument because years playing on an inferior model caused permanent neck injuries.)