Mountain Biking - New to the site - Need some bike advice

I'm brand new to the sport. I've been thinking of getting into trail riding for a while, and I'm finally gonna do it. I've read all the FAQ's and as much info as I could gather. But the more you read, the more confused you get about what you need.

Basically I'm looking to spend around $300-$400 on a solid bike. I've looked at bikes from Mongoose, Specialized, Giant, Trek...Not sure which one would be the right choice. I've noticed some big name full suspension bikes going for around $400, but are they worth the money? Or should I just invest in a good front shock bike for the same price.

Anythin else I need to be asking myself?

I'd love some specific bike reccomendations if possible. Thanks.

Your budget will get you a decent entry-level hardtail MTB. Sounds like you already know that you shouldn't consider a full-suspension bike in that price range. The brands you mentioned are good. Be careful with Mongoose, though. They're one of the many companies that makes decent bikes as well as bikes for X-marts. Their better stuff can be found in local bike shops, but in that price range, you're likely to get the cheap stuff they make. You might also add Gary Fisher to your list of potential brands. I think the Wahoo is in your budget. Go for some test rides and go by how the bikes feel. Bikes from the companies you mentioned should come with Shimano Acera or Alivio (unless SRAM) level drivetrain components. Again, ride some and post back with a couple of models if you're having trouble deciding. You'll know when you find the right one, though.

What Curtis said.

And triple-double emphasis on test riding more than just a loop around the parking lot to get a feel for how you and the bike synch with each other. ("Pedro; listen to your heart; that's what I do." ; )

2005 Specialized Hardrock at $350 list minus end of season discount is a fine choice; as is the Trek 4300 at around the same price. Giant Iquana could be a good pick, too. I know people who ride each of those and are quite happy.

Cool, thanks for the advice guys.

The Hardrock is actually one of the bikes I was looking at. But I was wondering what the differences were between teh Hardrock and the Rockhopper? Anything noticable? Also, I noticed that the Hardrock comes with a choice of disc brakes or regular brakes. Which is a better idea?

Last question - Are all these bikes in this category pretty much the same thing? Is it like buying a Camry versus an Accord? I'm assuming that the components are all pretty much the same quality in this price range, correct? Does it basically just come down to the feel?