Yeah, mine had 130mm Manitou Splice forks and they were pretty decent. Don't get the Evo bikes mixed up with the E's as the later was the race bike with shorter travel and lighter aluminium.
Yeah, very nice! Possibly late 90 as it doesn't have Afterburner seat stays? Defo seen late 90's with dark zolatone although usually with white decals?
The 90 will have a very low front end so it really depends how you like your bikes to ride. I'd probably go Marin ti as a rider although Marin's tend to be more neutral to ride, comfy rather than sporty if that makes sense?
I bought one new in 1999 to get back in to biking after 5 years off and hated it. Heavy, numb and bouncy. Put me off for another 5 years until I bought a Orange Evo 4 hard tail.
I assume the OP was a Dolomite? Full Mountain LX groupset for the price of a lower spec Marin or Saracen. Couple of lads I knew had them and they were decent enough.
I also have a Pace that may need to find a new home soon if you're interested? XL though so maybe too big? It's the latest model they did so properly modern geometry.