I guess I have a 'collection' of the Trek 6500-8500 MTBs of the late '90s-2000, AL. One was bought as a donor, the rest get ridden. The wheelsets on all of them are original, they will probably outlast me. My 8000SL is dedicated XC bike and still honking with a modern 2x9 drivetrain and XT components, the rest are all asphalt riders, tour or commute. I couldn't imagine trading any of them for a modern hybrid. It's amazing what you can put together for $400 and as much in upgrades if you shop around for deals, eBay. Even a new carbon rigid fork can be had for $150 these days.