Originally Posted by recorded syntax
.... Alternatively, i'm considering buying a similarly-priced front suspension MTB (a low-end Giant or something), putting cruiser bars on and lowering the seat. ... Any advice before i part with my cash?
Why would you lower the seat on a normal bicycle? You will get knee pain from incomplete leg extensions if you try to pedal it much.
-----
If you want a more-comfortable bike (less seat pain and hand pressure) the semi-recumbents I know of are as follows:
RANS Fusion (and similar models from RANS)
Lightfoot Surefoot
Day6Bicycles
Sun SunRay
I own one of the Fusions (it's very nice) but I haven't tried the others but they do have a similar position and do cost less. The RANS bikes use a proprietary seat and seatpost (can't be changed to a "normal" saddle) while the others can mount a regular saddle on a conventional seatpost (if you have some really unusual seating requirements, best served by "ergonomic" seats).
Alternately some cheap recumbents (for about $600 new) are the Sun EZ-1 and the Cycle Genius Starling.
~