I used to have said craftsman (cheap and good enough)... but not anymore as new ones are junk.  With that said pretty much all new ones are imo.  But if I gotta recommend... MAC would be at or close to the top for affordable/decent.

When I got my first car, my dad gave me a Craftsman ratchet & socket set for a gift. I still carry that set in my car to this day. Unfortunately as HillBilly mentioned, they're not what they used to be.

The Home Depot "Husky" tools are ok. Jet is ok. Stanley is ok.  A lot tools have a lifetime warranty. It's nice because you can walk in with just the broken socket or whatever, and no receipt, and they'll exchange it on the spot.

Other essential tools are:

- a set of combination wrenches

- a large nut rounder ... I mean knuckle bash... I mean adjustable wrench.

- Vice grips

- A hydraulic jack or ramps.

- Multibit screwdriver + various pliers including large round jaw channel locks for hoses.