Thanks for the advice, with respect to the favorable and unfavorable charts I have looked at a couple other options:
GT 2005 Avalanche 3.0 Disc (MSRP $400) - Has Tektro IO cable actuated disc brake, FD Suntour XC-202, RD Shimano Acera, Fork SR Suntour XC-60 one piece aluminum lowers with disc mount and preload adjustment Linked
GT 2005 Avalanche 2.0 Disc (MSRP $500) - Has Tectro Aquilla brakes, FD Suntour XCC-322, RD Shimano Deore, Fork Marzocchi MZ- Comp, Linked
GT 2005 Avalanche 1.0 Disc (MSRP $600 - can splurge)- Avid cable actuated disc brake, FD Suntour XCC-504, RD Shimano Deore LX, Fork Rock Shock Judy C Linked
Trek 4500 (MSRP $600 - can splurge)- Has Shimano 495, mechanical disc w/alloy levers, FD Shimano Acera, RD Shimano Deore, Fork RockShox Judy TT w/preload adjust Linked
Gary Fisher Marlin - Has Promax V brakes w/alloy levers, FD Alivio, RD Shimano Deore, Fork Manitou Axel Comp w/TPC Lock-Out


From what I gathered you thing the following components are crap - Brakes Hays mx2's (are HMX's ok?) Forks Judy TT and RST Gilla Plus 5 and suntour (Is the Marzocchi ok how about the Judy c?) , And a person should go for at least a Alvio/Aceria or Deore derailures if they can get it.

Please suggest what I should pick up - I will worry about my wifes later :-) I am limited to Trek, GT, Schwinn and Gary Fisher - I really want a good (not great) disc option to start as it will hard to scale this with it's expense in the future ( I can up my entry price a bit considering this $650 max MSRP). If your advice is aginst the GT or Schwinn just because Pacific bought them I am not concerned unless there has been a drop in quality. I again appreciate all of your knowledgeable help and your opinions are respected. THANKS!!