If you bend a rim with rim brakes they are useless, not so with discs
Disc pads last longer than rubber rim pads.
You can replace a rotor a lot cheaper than a rim when you wear out your braking surface.
Going through mud/dirt doesnt cause brake fade because your braking surface is contaminated.
Discs are pretty low maintenance as well.
94: Fit/comfort is going to be the name of the game. You will have a lot more fun on a bike that fits right than costs XXXX amount of dollars. Try as many as you can and even see if some shops are willing to demo bikes so you can get some real world time with then rather than a few laps around the parking lot. Full suspension is nice however you tend to get much better components on a similarly priced hardtail plus they tend to be lighter. Know the type of riding you want do do before buying as well. You dont want to end up with a 22lb Cross country bike if you plan to thrash it on rough technical terrain, and vice versa you dont want to be lugging around a 40lb sled if all you are doing is pedaling on mellow non bike taxing trails.
Here’s what I ride 90% of the time and gets me through just about any trail I find:
It’s a full suspension “all mountain” type bike with 5 inches of travel front and rear that weighs in at about 30lbs. It pretty much will take you anywhere short of full on downhilling because I’m not loaded and need to get away with a one or two bike stable. Ran me about $1500 on closeout 3 years ago.