Mountain Biking - Is 2001 too old in looking for a used mountain bike..or should I buy newer?

I'm looking at a Trek YSL 300 Superlite for $750. It lists for over $3000 back in 2001. I'm definately going to buy used..but is 2001 too old? (It seems to be a real nice bike but alas..I'm a novice..)

Thanks ahead for your input!

I wouldnt get anything older than about 2008, but thats just me.

I concur, I think the MTB engineering/materials and quality/versatility jumped way ahead in the past few years. vs the old days. I mean it depends on how you are gonna ride it ,but I think the overall geometry has improved with 2004+ bikes

It completely depends on the bike. There are some Specialized FSR models of that vintage that I would still not turn my nose up at; and, well, a hardtail is pretty much a hardtail no matter the year (they're ALL dinosaurs).

But that bike is too old . . . and waaaaayyyy too much money.

ok thanks guys...you guys helped settle it in my mind..i was like barely a decade old in 2001..man!

Yup, Waaayyy too much money. As a bench mark, I recently sold a 03 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp with a new chain, I replaced the 9 speed cassette and a new Panaracer Smoke rear tire. The fork is an 06 SPlice used for only one season. I let it go for $380. That's a used dually Specialized Stumpy for about half of what your guy wants. Oh yeah, the condition of the bike was excellent with some cable rub and a few scratches. While it sold, and I had a few interested parties, they weren't exactly filling up my e-mail with offers. That tells me $380 was the right price.

I am glad you got talked out of this one. I am not a fan of old full-suspension bikes. You never know if you can find replacement parts for them.