Help Choosing A New Bike

Apologies as this is kind of a lot…

I grew up on all types of boards and BMX bikes and have recently realized that mountain biking is really fun as well. I bought a Specialized Rockhopper a few years back and am just now getting around to riding with some friends, and I realized after a few outings that this bike isn't really designed for the type of riding I would like to do.

I would prefer large jumps and fast downhill trails, but being in central North Carolina, I'm limited to what is actually available to me. There are a few places within an hour of me such as Salem Lake and Sanlee Park, and then some really tiny places around the house I could get out and ride if I just wanted to be on the bike.

https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5877017/salem-lake-north-side

https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5392275/san-lee-full-tour

Budget for a new bike, if using HSA is no more than $2,500.

I've found a Specialized Status 2 140 on sale for $1,999 through a retailer online, but they are adamant that they can only sell the bike in person. They also "have" to assemble the bike, so I can't have someone pick it up and slap a sticker on it and then ship it to the east coast. https://www.fanatikbike.com/products/status-2-140-complete-bike-2025?variant=42024592474158

I also found a Polygon Siskiu T8 29 for $2,199 but have read mixed reviews about the bike. I've plugged the information into a few different AI tools and they say it's a good entry level bike at a good price point, but I'm not familiar with the brand name like I am with Specialized. https://bikesonline.com/products/2024-polygon-siskiu-t8-dual-suspension-mountain-bike?srsltid=AfmBOoq3MK7gV8dCx8NKUC33_w8uOCCGc5XvfDwl12wOJX-Y6HOcGECe&variant=49874210193700

The third option I found was a couple Kona Process X bikes at closeout prices coming in between $2,000 – $2,300, but that seems like a lot of bike for the small stuff I'd normally be riding. I'm a penny pincher, so the deal is what is catching my eye there more than anything else. https://www.jensonusa.com/search?q=kona+process

Throughout the bike search process, I found a few online retailers that allow you to use HSA funds to purchase a bike through an affiliated company called TrueMed which would be cool as I have money sitting in an HSA and would prefer to use that if possible.

Another Status 2 that I'm not sure if I can use HSA on is in stock and can be shipped to me. https://www.incycle.com/products/2025-specialized-status-2-140?variant=45506831122563

I guess my questions are as follows:

1. Is it worth my time to get the Status 2 shipped to the east coast at $2,000 using HSA if possible, or buying from Incycle.com while not using HSA funds?
2. Is the Polygon T8 a comparable bike to the Specialized that will last me a few years of NC riding? This would be my preference as I could have it shipped and use TrueMed to use my HSA.
3. Is the Process X bike to "big" for what I would be riding on the regular? I'm not opposed to riding only downhill, and would generally prefer that, but getting to the mountains frequently isn't an option as my children's obligations and fun time take a priority over my own.

If you stuck around this long, thanks, and hopefully y'all's advice will help me in the right direction.

P.S. I understand there is a large used bike market, but I would prefer new if possible so I have the piece of mind of warranty/assistance if needed.