Mountain Bike Question?

Im looking for a Mountain Bike for Recreational use and have been searching around,Im not quite sure If I want to buy a new one cause Im not hardcore into Biking and my previous track record with bikes is that Ill buy a new one and use it a little and then stow it away for years,sell it at a loss. I stopped at a Bike shop today that sells new bikes and also rents out bikes for recreational use,out front in I saw a bunch of Bikes that looked used and asked the dude inside if they sell used bikes,he says yes they buy new bikesand sell them after the season is over and get new ones again to rent out next year. Anyways my eyes went right to a nice looking Black one,was my size and it was a Gary Fischer of Fisher brand and the Model was Mako,he want $220 for it I said $200 not quite sure if it was cash and carry of tax too. The bike looked like it had some use and like the rest looked like it had been out in the weather instead of inside,pretty much used but not necessarilly abused as far a my eyes were concerned(im no expert to what to look for). I didnt take it for a test run and the dude says that they are all cleaned up and checked before they go out to customers. Anyways what do the experts think of this brand and model and what should I be looking for when test riding a used bike,I really dont want to spend over $300 cause I lost my job and my previous track record with bikes. THanx and Ill wait for the Studio audience(experts)to reply

 

gary fisher and trek are good decent bikes.....for not that that much cash

 

if it's a 2010 it retails new for 360, may be able to find it at clearance for ~20% off is the norm at the end of the year(~290). If it's well maintained, and shifts well, for $200 I'd say its a good deal for a year old bike. If you don't like it I'm sure you could sell it for minimal loss

 

specialized is a good one as well.

 

If you plan on mountain biking you want to make sure it has a compact crank, boxed rims, and one other thing I can't remember....the cheapest bikes aren't strong enough for mountain biking...esp. if you weigh more than 150 or so.

 

Did some searches on a 2009 Gary Fischer Mako REVIEWS seems like a bare bones economy casual cruiser when its bought new for $260-$300 with some varying reviews,not quite sure about a used one with supposely 1 year of use on it. I would really like to take it for a test run see how it shifts,brakes and say $175 cash,it could be a time bomb ready to explode in that case money wasted.The guy really didnt say if they would warranty the bike for any time either?

 

Really looking for a casual mountain type or even a good qaulity Hybrid, looked at a very nice Giant Brand Hybrid which the guy would sell me for $399 down from $499 brand new wish I had gotten the Model it was,it really looked like a mountain bike I think it also had Rotor type brakes on it.

 

not to thread jack but i don't want to create another thread the same as this , and reccommebdations for a rider about 5'5", 150 ?