That’s the problem with MTB. You might start riding and find you are a “dirt roadie” and an XC HT is what you want. Of you might find that you like high speed and big air, and that bike just won’t be fun (even if you would be amazed at what an XC HT can do).
The MTB I started riding on is NOTHING like the kind of riding I ended up liking the most. Glad I started on a $1000 bike that doesn’t match my end desires.