Recreational & Family - Scott hybrids

I am looking to buy a new bike in a few months and am looking at some of the bikes in Scott's lineup. I think I want one of the bikes in the sportster line, and am sure I want one with a lockout front fork, so I am looking at the P1-P4, but leaning mostly for the P3 or P4 as they fit my wallet a little better. The p3 has shimano deore discs and the p4 has what appear to be some manner of v-brakes, and the shifters/brake levers are different, but otherwise they appear identical. My question is would it be worth the extra money to go for the p3 or stick with the p4 and save about 200 bucks? Also anyone have any first hand input on these bikes? I like some of Trek and specialized offerings but I don't like my LBS that carries those brands so they are out of the question, I would like to stick with something that Sun and Ski carries as the one by me has awesome customer service and I really feel welcome in the store, They also carry Marin and Masi so any other hybrid suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks a bunch.

Travis

What type of riding will you be doing? Fitness/recreation only on paved streets and paths? Commuting? Mtn biking?
Knowing this will help us narrow your search for you.

Fitness/recreation mostly with some single track riding. I want something that I can bash around a little without worrying too much about tearing everything up on it.

A bike for the road or bike path is not the same as a bike for single track.
You can get a mtn bike for the single track and swap tires or wheels for the road/path. Or you could get a cyclocross bike as a good compromise for both uses and not change tires/wheels.
Cyclocross bike usually start around $900-$1000.

My wife rides a Scott Sportster (i though it was the P3 but it has cantilever brakes, not discs). She likes it and it has been a good bike for her. Nice mix of comfort and speed and the components are more than adequate for the ammount of riding she does. The hydro-formed tubing and sloped top tube on the womens specific model make it a pain to get off/on the trunk mounted bike rack but that is my biggest complaint and it would hold true for almost any "womens framed" bike.

I'll respectfully disagree with RonH- my wife never rides her bike offroad but there is no reason it couldn't handle non-technical singletrack. I wouldn't look to jump it or bomb any major decents, but on a reasonably well packed dirt trail with few roots/rocks it would be fine. Anything you'd ride a cyclocross bike over you could ride this bike over. If you want to do technical off-road you would need to step up to a true hardtail mtb though.

I have a Hybrid, It is not a Scott but it does have the lock out shock. I am 5o+ so the technical stuff on MTB trails are definately out of my want, I do like riding a mild single track but most of my riding is on MUP and some rural roads.

As far as my opinion as long as most of the components are equal then I would not see the benifit of going with the disc brakes. Again this is just my opinion.

To the OP- Also consider the Marin Muirwoods or San Rafael. The Muirwoods is basically a rigid MTB/urban bike. The San Rafael has a front suspended fork that has lock-out.

The Muirwoods can be had cheaper than the Scott's at my local Sun and Ski (Tulsa).

I have since changed my mind, probably going with a Haro Flightline or a Scott or Marin MTB, and keep my Forte Gothams around for when I hit the MUP or street as I have recently found a Local single track trail that is pretty technical and a lot of fun. Thanks for the replies though.