Need advice on Giant ATX Mountain Bike from a frequent Rocky Mountain Biker

So I'm thinking of buying this mountain bike

I've owned a Giant for 11 years now. And I've loved it. I rode the absolute crap out of it in college (I'm 25 now), and I've had to replace parts usually due to my own negligence, not because it's just crappy. So it was an amazing bike, but the shocks recently went rock solid, and it'll cost upwards of $150 to get new ones.

This one costs $430, so it would be better to just get a new one. It is a 29er, has cable disc brakes , and front suspension. I test rode this one and it felt great. To anyone who's bought or looked at Giant ATX mountain bikes recently, how are Giant bikes today? Are they still made like they used to be?

To anyone else, do you have another recommendation for a good mountain bike at a similar price. I suppose I would be willing to pay a bit more for a better bike. But I'm looking to take this on the mountains when we go about every other year, on the trails through my neighborhood, and on the mountain bike trails in and around Houston.

Any and all advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

And who knows, maybe this post will blow up and it'll be a bike on the house (Steemit). One can hope.