I recently bought new bikes for the missus and I and decided to get half decent bikes as they last longer.
I got a GT Avalanche 3.0 with all the regular gear and front fork lockout which makes it like a big BMX for $550 with Hydro disc on the 2.0 you would be looking at $800-900 and that was the same for most major brands.
The missus got a Giant Boulder no complaints either.

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RIP POSSUM
3" Invidia Zorst