Mountain Biking - Schwinn Rocket 88

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2000 Schwinn Rocket 88. It seems to be in great condition, but is it worth spending money on an older full suspension bike? The people selling it are asking $300. Any advice? I've never owned a full suspension bike before.

Which one, stage one, stage two, stage three?

It's the Stage Three. I'm a litte worried about not being able to find bushings for it, although I don't know if they even need to be replaced.

For bushings, if it's a 2000 bike, would consider this, a fork and shox service almost a necessitate, unless they have been done very recently, if the bike has been ridden hard, would expect to need to replace the bearings as well.

It's probably worth more in parts than as a complete bike, having recently scraped a 1999 full suspension GT I-drive bike due to cost and availbility of spares, it just isn't worth trying find parts.

Add to this that suspension has changed since 2000, even most 5 year old FS bikes will be out of date now.

Looking at the spec on Biikepedia for the Stage 3, it's nothing special, just basic but good old Deore, the biggest problem though is v-brakes, nothing wrong with them, but they are totally out classed by discs currently used, if you are riding with others, you will find yourself being outbraked all the time, which isn't too enjoyable if group riding.

Pass; it's not worth three bills. Besides the lower parts selection, the suspension design is poor; early multi-link suspensions were pigs to ride.

Most folks who know MTB would pretty much agree that a bike that's more than 5-6 years old is more trouble than it's worth; SOME still swear by, and ride, their 15-20-y-o rigid chro-mo museum piece (and it may actually PERFORM, who knows but them?)

Schwinns, post-1997, were not what they used to be.

Okay, that's good to know. I think I'll tell the person I'm no longer interested. Thanks for the advice!
I'm bummed out though; it's tough getting into a decent full suspension bike for under $1,000.