Dear Original Poster
Do you really want a Maltese or just a cute little dog? It seems like you are anxious to find a lovable pet and that you are not too worried about finding a purbred Maltese (tell me if Im wrong). If in your heart you know you want a Purebred Maltese dog, please just wait. If you are able to spend $600 now, just put that money aside, wait a couple of months and add $400 more and you should be able to find a quality breeder in that area. I used to live in LA and i understand that EVERYTHING is more expensive there lol!
Now, if you just want a lovable pup and will not be dissapointed if you don't get a purebred Maltese, I personally think a mix is GREAT! ( i think im the only one who thinks so lol) I have seen shih-tzu mixed with malt and it was ADORABLE! It looked just like a malt but with a super babydoll face. It was all white with some grayish/black in her ears and she grew to about 6 pounds. I personally had a Shihtzu Poodle and everyone mistook him for a Maltese. Just really look at the two dogs that are being mixed together. Its the same as buying a purebred dog, two purbred Malts can still make a not so cute pup. Go to the breeders house and see what the Shih tzu looks like and what the Malt looks like. If they are both really cute, good personalities ect, look into it! Just remember that you will probably get half and half. So the really smushed in face of a shihtzu will be balanced by the slightly protuded snout of a Maltese. If they both have really good coats that is a plus because your malt will have an extra silky coat that should be great and easy to take care of!
Basically it just depends on the parents, whether you go Purbred or Mixed! I have done both and both of my dogs are perfect to me and I get compliments all the time! I saw A Maltese Poodle at the dog park a couple of days ago and she was SO CUTE!
Good luck, just look at Boom Boom, he is mixed and he is just as cute (hee hee or cuter) as all of our babies here!
PS. oh and mixed breeds are usually a LOT healthier then purbreds