Thanks all, I love those builds!
I just saw this on CL :
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3122657752.html
This seems to be more of a road bike with more substantial front forks. Colors are ugly
There are RockHoppers listed in the $200 - $400 range and I've seen some hard rocks close to $100.
The pawn shop down the street has a Trek 560 with straight handlebars, they are asking $175, not sure what they would take, never bought from a pawn shop (I always wonder if it's stolen)