For that price,I'd say go for it and swap the fork. The older curved alloy forks weren't too great,but running 32mm low psi tires made them bearable. The newer ones have the pinpoint alloy fork like my Road Buzz,they are horrible. I'm running 42's on my RB and it still tears up my wrists;it's going back as soon as I get around to putting it back to stock.

For $300-350,if it's in good shape and fits I'd get it and swap the fork and shifters. A steel fork won't add that much weight and can be found for decent,a carbon fork will be pricier but will shave weight and smooth out the ride. The '08's also had twistgrips,which I personally hate,but SRAM double-thumbs aren't expensive. The '08's are also unique in that they came with BB7 discs,which are the best they ever put on the line. IIRC,they still had a MTB rear with a compact double front('09's have road cassettes) like my '06;this combo works very well for the hilly area I live in. Fender's will fit,you'll need to bend the left rear stay and use a spacer and longer bolt for the left front.