The saying that Strafers require too much high end gear to make effective is a bit of a misconception. Strafers can be pretty budget friendly. If you don't have a nice bow sitting in any of your character's stashes yet I'd suggest making a Harmony bow. Check out Wmeredith's guide:
http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=495941
A quote from one section: "Combine this RW with rune word Lionheart, Treachery or Duress for deadly-on-a-budget. You'll be surprised. (I recommend Treachery.)"
Some good cost effective uniques would include Lycander's Aim, Goldstrike Arch, and the Witch Wild String (my personal favorite of course

) Once upgraded any one of these can hold their own in Hell. And there's the Buriza too. Though it may be slow, it still packs a punch.
Of course, Windforces arn't all that expensive these days. Its been a little while, but the last time I was on USEast you could get one for a Pul. Give or take a little depending on how much ML it had.
As far as the rest of your gear goes they can be cost effective too. I've already given you a small list of suitable armors up there. I'd suggest the Smoke runeword as well if you find price and resists to be an issue. A Tal's mask, Laying of Hands, Cat's Eye, Razortail, and low Ravenfrosts are all extremely effective on a Strafer and can be bought for a few pgems a peice. For your boots Waterwalks are nice "all-around" boots. Wartravs might be pushing the price tag a little, but there's really no better boots out there for a Strafer.
Also put a point in Frozen Arrow. I always put at least one point in this on all my bowies. A one point FA will stop enemies in their tracks for quite a while depending on how much extra cold damage you have from your other gear. That is, of course, the enemies in question are not cold immune.
And lastly, get enough IAS for a 9/2 Strafe breakpoint. 8/2 if you can swing it.