I’m currently riding a Dartmoor Hornet.
It can take 26 or 650b wheels…im using 26 for maximum tyre clearance as I like 2.3 to 2.5 tyres on a hardtail, I’m using a 150mm Revelation fork and it’s bloody brilliant…this isn’t new bike syndrome, I rode it back to back with my steel Ragley Piglet and it is a better ride….the reach is longer despite both being 16 inch frames and the bottom bracket is lower….i had to adjust my style slightly to avoid pedal strikes but it’s now second nature, I had it at BPW recently and it was confidence inspiring and I was so much faster
It’s nice and light (2kgs I think) and despite being aluminium it isn’t harsh, I’ve had a Dialled Alpine, an On One evo, a Ragley and a 45650b previously and it’s the best of the bunch…the reviews online are good and it’s in stock in this country (i think they’re a Polish brand) and they only cost £200!….well within your budget.
Mines black with the newer black Revelation forks and black Pacenti wheels, it looks awesome and so much better than the cheap price tag would suggest.