Thanks for the input guys. $599 is probably the most I can spend right now. if there is something really exciting may be $600......ha ha ...

So, Santa Cruz is out of my range. The thing is, I am not trying to get rid of my hardtails. instead, I am trying to add a decent Full suspension to the line so that I would have an option if I need to. Also, I am not certain that I will like a full suspension bike (my lower back may like it, but thats just a part of my body. I am pretty democratic and in my house majority rules). That is why I dont want to invest a lot of money right now on a full suspension bike. May be a couple of years down the road I would get something like the Santa Cruz blur...

But, I want to get a decent full suspension. Cause I dont want to reject full suspension bike based on my riding experience on a poorly designed bike......

So, your input is helping me figure that out. and its a great learning process for me. keep it coming.

thank you.