Hey Trailmonkey.
I rode a Cove Hustler for about 3yrs so here's my answer to your questions...
1. It's not low, it's not stupidly high either though. I ride in v. rocky places and I'm really struggling with a Lapierre Zesty I have at the moment because it's too low. The Hustler was perfect though. It's 13.6" according to Silverfish but that doesn't mean anything to me.
2. Pikes are perfect on it. It's what I used.
3. I'm 5'11" and the 17.5 was perfect for me. I could have ridden a larger size too I suppose.
4. I snapped mine. Just to put it in perspective it took me 3yrs and I'm a guide so ride daily. Someone described my kit as living in dog years recently... it's about right! Also I'm riding rocky stuff, DH tracks, jumps etc on it. I think what did for it in the end was the fact that the Fox shock anodising went meaning it was loosing air. That meant I bottomed it out a fair bit and that force goes straight into the seat tube. My seat tube snapped right in the middle.
5. I bought a lovely white one. It ended up brown
Paint quality was good though, I'd heard bad things but mine was really good. The brown ones are nice, I've seen a few.
I liked me Hustler so much I was going to get another one. Then I saw the GSpot and thought "why not"! My Hustler weighted about 34lbs, built up heavy with big wheels / tyres / saint cranks / 203mm Avids etc. I built up my GSpot and it's between 35 and 36lbs. I honestly think my GSpot goes uphill better than my Hustler, there's just no bob. And going down is a different story, it's incredible. I'm totally happy with my GSpot choice and wouldn't buy another Hustler now, I just think the GSpot is a better bike up and down. I don't know if you've seen my Gspot Review review up on my site? I wrote what I think of it there.