Mountain Biking - She wants a bike

So I just recently picked up a GF Marlin for myself, but now my girlfriend wants to get a bike too. Thing is she doesn't plan to go as far into the sport as I do yet. So she only wants to spend a couple hundred bucks. I told her the options are far and few in that price range so I'm going to supplement her money with 100 of my own.

So what are some good mountain bikes for a girl that is 5'11 with long legs for a max of 300 bucks, preferably less?

I know we have to find out what fits her and feels nice, but what brands should I stick to / avoid? Are there any brands that just make some really crappy low end bikes?

I would probably just head to the LBS, and try out whatever they have...Trek, Specialized, Fisher, Giant, etc all seem to make a very similiar and decent bike at that level. Just take her and see what fits the best...

Typically Giant is tough to beat when on a budget. But also just go see what is available and what fits in the price range. And as with the case with my wife, what paint job she likes. If she likes the way it looks she might be inclined to actually ride more.

Yeah dont argue with her. If shes anything like my wife, she wants what she wants and thats it. If it catches on, then you can explain the better mechanics of it for the next bike, and she'll listen then.

Tough call - my wife [girlfriend at the time] didn't appreciate the difference between good and crap bikes until I took her out riding. Her x-mart bike just about exploded. After we got back from the ride she went to the LBS and threw down $1300 on a decent hardtail.

I'd warn her about only spending $300 on a new bike, just so she can't say "You didn't warn me!" You might even consider renting a bike for her first ride, then taking her shopping. She will see the differences immediately.