Well it seems to me that the front shock comes off most floor models pretty quick.

At $1000 distributed through an entire bike (factor the fact the retailer gets some 2-300$) $700 is not going to get you a super disc brake, or a hydraulic front suspension.

A nice shift, brake set up makes so much difference to the feel of a bike. Also if you don't wreck it, you can put on a different frame later.