Mountain Biking - Rear wheel recomendations

The freewheel in my mountain bike is busted. My local mechanic says I should buy a new rear wheel because the cost in labor and parts to replace the hub is going to be in the same ballpark as a new wheel.

I now nothing about wheels. Which wheel should I get? I'd like to get something that offers the best price performance ratio or best band for the buck. I would like to have something that is very good but I don't want to get in the extreme weight winnie mode where I will shell out additional hundreds of dollars for a few extra grams. My budget is not necessarily restricted but I'd like to spend money only up to where it matters. Any suggestions ?

Thanks
Jesus

If your bike actually has a freewheel, not a freehub, and was made after 1995 or so then you really don't want to spend much on it because it's probably a lowend bike.

If it really is a freewheel then the mechanic is kinda wrong in his assesment. Most shops would screw a new freewheel on for you for $40 or less parts and labor.

How many speeds? Disc brake type? Rim brake?

The bike is not a low end bike. It is a 2007 Mt Fuji Pro with carbon frame made by Fuji. I must have used the wrong term, so please assume it is a freehub. The bike is 21-speed, 9 cogs, 3 rings. It has disk brakes. Although I don't know much about mountain bikes I want to get a good wheel because I am starting to ride very often and quite hard.

Thanks
Jesus

Even though your budget isn't restricted, what are you looking to spend? Do you only want to buy a rear or do you want a set?