I bought an 08 model Rush 5 – alu frame, Fox forks and shock. Had it for about 14/15 months now, and it is a very good bike.

Iirc, Dirt mag loved the carbon version with Fox forks – that is important because they slacken the head angle over the Lefty version, being slightly longer.

I set mine up so that the shock is fairly plush meaning that I will get some bounce when pedalling in the granny ring, but nothing I can't ignore, but set up this way, the bike feels like it has a lot more than 110mm of travel on the back.

A good bike, especially when I add in that I paid £1250 for it with almost exactly the same spec as the 2010 Rush 2 at £2200.

can it be bought frame only?

Not that I know of. Mine's destined to be my long term test bike for next year, should be a write up in Issue 54 of the build up :o)