As the title states, I'm looking to get my wife a violin for Christmas. We both love the sound of a violin, she herself is quite musical, but has no experience with this instrument. Now, I don't have a whole lot of money to spend, so I'm looking for something under $400 dollars, that will play well and is of good quality. This is what I've found, if you know anything about it please let me know, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well.

http://www.stringseason.com/cmw/purchaseviolin.html

That violin looks ok from the website, but it doesn't say much about it. It may be ok for your purposes.
You should look locally in a pawn shop or maker, or someone trying to sell a used one that is more valuable. Or a music store for students. Used violins are usually better at that price. If you can find a local person selling a hand-made violin that is not mass-produced. You can find a collectible one. Look inside of the violin - it will have a label and model and serial number if it is a good quality. Eyeball the condition - ie at the seams, is it coming apart, look at the bridge from the side - if it is straight, not loose, all the parts are there, not cracked, warped. It is easy even for an amateur with a good eye to be able to pick out a decent used violin. Even if it needs minor repairs, like strings, bridge, that is normal and there are a lot of shops who do repairs. I would rather have a better quality violin with a history which has some allure to it then a mass-produced shiny one. Also, it will hold its value. Take the time to shop around and good luck - you have time.

I sell violins and so I will tell you to be carfull. Don`t buy the first one you see!!!!

I would say it makes a diffrence were you live. I am in Chicago. here the best place to find one is on www.craigslist.org even thought I sell mostly new violins, I will tell you, you will get a better deal if you buy one used from the person that owns it.( Not a dealer like me.) Dealers have to make money!!! Others are just trying to get some of there money out of it . Good luck!!

Unfortunately I am in rural Saskatchewan, an area that is woefully short on both pawn shops and musical instrument dealers. The closest shop only deals in guitars and cheap brass instruments. I found this classified ad for a used violin. What do you guys think?
http://saskatoon.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-VIOLIN-MINT-SHAPE-W0QQAdIdZ160106193

Sorry, I don`t like that brand of violin! I can buy that same violin at the factory in China for under $20.00 US. I could sell you one that is much better than that one for that price. Look man, This mint look like I am just trying to sell you something ,but remember I told you don`t buy from a dealer! Well now ,I think you should buy one from me.
I will have a violinist pick a violin out for you from one of mine.
Email me: Mr_violn@hotmail.com ,I`ll give you the mans name and phone number. I have over 90 violin to chose from.
I can put a very good case with it too. I buy the cases in China too. The case that comes with that violin in the add sells in China for $5.00.

<Added>

What I mean is , I would get a very good violinist to come over, play all the violins in your price range,and pick you out the best sounding one. I will send you pictures of the violins and then even after you buy it and try it out for three months if you don`t like it ,send it back and if the condition is still good I will give you back the price of the violin.
( one thing.) I never sell on ebay because people can`t try it out befor they buy. That is why I told you I will have a very good violinist play them for you . I will give you his phone number and you can talk to him too if you like.
You see, when I first started out selling violins, I sold that cheep brand of violin that is in that add you sent. I was buying them from a violin wholsale company in the USA for $75.00. I went China and to violin factorys all over China, I found out they are some of the cheepest junk that you can buy.

I can buy from an other company violins for $75.00 that are very nice violins for the averige player. I sold one like that( but a viola) to my daughters violin teacher. She plays it all the time for church and at weddings ect. ( her violin cost her $7,000.00 )