Mountain Biking - which one is best

ok, looking to get into mtb, am really pumped about it, have wanted to get into it for years. Im looking at front suspension mtb's with disk brakes in the 500-750 price range (entry level?) Im looking at a 2004 gary fisher tassajara disk, raleigh m80, giant iguana or jamis durango sx. Ive heard nothing but good things about the fisher disk. I like the fisher the best i think because of its reputation. i dont know much about any of this and was wondering if the Fisher Tass is worth the money, it is the most expensive out of the group. Which one out of these would you pick, of if there is one that im missing that is similiar or better for cheaper, please let me know. I would really appreciate any feedback cause im new at MTB and dont really know whats going on and dont wanna get ripped off or anything like that. Thanks alot!

fisher tass disk: http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?bike=Tassajara_Disc&strAns=&sttypeID=dirt&stgender=

giant iguana: http://mtbreview.com/reviews/2004_hardtail/product_123419.shtml

jamis durango sx: http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/04_durangosx.html

raleigh m80: http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=2&itemid=152&va=0

The Pilot XC's are a decently nice suspension, but nothing too great. I tried some Pilot C's and they were so stiff it was ridiculous. Especially for a low end range bike that people won't be taking too big of hits with.

04 Hardrock Pro (Disc)

THE FEATURES
High-strength A1 Premium Aluminum frame featuring forged dropouts with eyelets, reinforced disc mount, forged alloy hanger, manipulated TT, and DT with 3D box gusset
Marzocchi MZ Comp fork 100mm travel, mag lowers, preload adjust, coil/MCU spring
Wheelset featuring Specialized Enduro Sport 2.2" tires, Shimano 475 mechanical disc brakes with 6" rotors, and Sun DitchWitch double-wall rims with eyelets
Truvativ 5-D alloy crank with replaceable alloy outer ring and heat treated Cr-Mo inner rings
Shimano Deore rear derailleur
Geometry (bike metrics)
MSRP: $610.00
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04HardrockPro_l.jpg

specialized rockhopper would also be a good bike in that range.

of the 4 i'd get the tassajara, but really, all those bikes are very similar. i'd pay attention to the geometries as that would be the deciding factor for me.

Everyone is always pushing specialized, i know nothing about them so i cant say...but i do ride a Gary Fisher so im bias..go with the Fisher :D

04 Hardrock Pro (Disc)

THE FEATURES
High-strength A1 Premium Aluminum frame featuring forged dropouts with eyelets, reinforced disc mount, forged alloy hanger, manipulated TT, and DT with 3D box gusset
Marzocchi MZ Comp fork 100mm travel, mag lowers, preload adjust, coil/MCU spring
Wheelset featuring Specialized Enduro Sport 2.2" tires, Shimano 475 mechanical disc brakes with 6" rotors, and Sun DitchWitch double-wall rims with eyelets
Truvativ 5-D alloy crank with replaceable alloy outer ring and heat treated Cr-Mo inner rings
Shimano Deore rear derailleur
Geometry (bike metrics)
MSRP: $610.00
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04HardrockPro_l.jpg
.
That bike is great if you like hucking off buildings, but a 31lbs bike with the rake of a chopper and a downhill stem is going to suck for anyone who does XC.

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6745&JServSessionIdroot=8l3cts269q.j27004


maybe?