Mountain Biking - Quality Price for a Full Suspension

I'm getting back into biking and when into shape will want a new bike. Montain bike with full suspension, but do not want to spend a lot, since I am not going to go crazy with it. It would be simply for better comfort. I just ordered a WTB Pro Gel Speed V, which I will put on my next bike.
With that said what are my options?
Almost forgot. I'm 185lbs, 5ft 9.5"
Age 53

I'm getting back into biking and when into shape will want a new bike. Montain bike with full suspension, but do not want to spend a lot, since I am not going to go crazy with it. It would be simply for better comfort. I just ordered a WTB Pro Gel Speed V, which I will put on my next bike.
With that said what are my options?
Almost forgot. I'm 185lbs, 5ft 9.5"
are you against hard tails? you'll get a much better bike for your money

Yeah, what mx_599 said. If you buy a f/s new you should pay over $1k or else the bike will weigh a lot and have crap conponents. If you spend $1k on a hardtail you will get a sick bike.

FS MTB prices make me cry on the inside.

Im getting a hardtail for that reason.

One thing you didn't say tho is your budget, it may be easier to pick out a bike with that in mind.

I think 1000$ is about entry level for a FS and 500$ for a Hardtail.

I don't want to spend more than $1,000.00 and less if possible. Now would there be a noticeable differance in ride compared to a Hardtail?

I don't want to spend more than $1,000.00 and less if possible. Now would there be a noticeable differance in ride compared to a Hardtail?

How do you mean? There will definately be a differance in the ride on the rough stuff.

What type of riding will you be doing?

Asphalt, gravel roads that are not maintained with lots of potholes and washboard, atv trails, tundra. I probably won't do a lot of the ruff stuff though. I'll see how it goes.

In that case you will be better off with a hardtail anyway. You will appreciate the efficiency of it. If it comes down to it you could buy a suspension seatpost later on. A full suspension bike would be overkill for most of the riding that you describe. Plus in order to get an efficient full suspension you will need to spend quite a bit over your budget.

I bought an '05 Iron Horse Warrior Elite. It is a FS bike. They were $1500, but the sale price all over the internet was about $999. I got mine at my LBS. After riding it for about 2 months, I have been REAL happy with it and think I got my money's worth. I am sure if you google, you might be able to find some more leftover '05's. I got the medium frame, 17" I think. I am 5'8" and 175lbs.

good luck in your search.