I ride a used 2013 DB OD Comp HT for $500. I've changed the tires to Kenda. Ride in fire roads and some single track in LA area (basically always dry and plenty of goatheads!) I run with tubes for now, it's a PITA either way just read the Brian Lopes book, one author gave up on tubeless and runs tubes.

I would buy a nice used bike and decide if you need HT or FSR first. Don't buy anything with MSRP < $1k. I wouldn't trust it. My bike is a comp model and it has Avid Elixir 1 brakes (entry level) but they seem to work fine so far.