You want to purchase a Giant Yukon/Rincon, Scott P4, or similar Avanti/Specialized..?

they are about the price point for your budget...
...but for limited in a off road sense by suspension forks and actually more by frame geometry. Entry level giant bikes suit the majority of consumers(which is good) but with prolonged "bashing" offtrack, they specified components will wear.

Dont always buy Shimano-though extremly good (i use a XT groupo on my cross-country bike) SRAM is a far more simpler/more durable system(i use SRAM carbon on my DH race bike).

Make sure you buy the right size bike--->Dont buy the most attractive looking bike-->otherwise you wont ride it when you are sore.

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05 STi Spec C Type Ra
04 LL Bean Outback