Mountain Biking - Iron Horse Quantum from Sportmart

I went into a Sportmart store and they had a few 2004 model Iron Horse Quantum's on sale for $299 regularly $499. Seemed nice with Dual Disc brakes, 24 speed, EZ Fire shifters, Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur and 100mm forks. Does this seem to be a good bike for the money or should I stick with a Specialized Hardrock?
The salesperson also said that the Quantum is marketed specifically for Sportmart.

Sportmart is a chain under forzani Group and the little crappier brother of sportcheck. They are given rebadged oem bikes. The Quantum is not a special made bike for sportmart, it is a bike that exists that Forzani Group changed the name of. More than likely it is an ironhorse maveric or something similar (one of the top selling sportcheck bikes)...it is simply a cruiser and not a real mountain bike.

Without knowing your intentions I can't tell you if it is enough bike...but guessing I would say the hardrock is superior...

Does it kind of look like this

http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/trail/maverick_disc_2.shtml

If could even be the previous year, so it might not be that exactly..

It does look the same so I would say that probably is the same one. To answer your other question. I will be using the bike for both on road (around the neighborhood) and going to some tracks or trails. So anything that is in the $300 price range is what I want for now. I have tried a Trek 3700, Fuji Sunfire, and Specialized Hardrock so far. There seems to be alot of manufactures out there, so It is hard to decide.

300$ cdn isnt really very much value. But looking long term, if you but the hardrock the frame itself will hold enough value to make it worthwhile upgrading.