Looking to get a new mtb: marlin 7 gen 3, cannondale trail SE 4, or keep looking? (budget of 1000)

I am looking to get a new mountain bike for 70 percent trailriding and 30 percent pavement. My current bike is a way too small trek 4300 from the early 2000s, so anything new will be fast enough for me. I live in illinois so the trails aren't too crazy around here. I do want to eventually progress into doing advanced trails with smaller jumps. I'm 6 ft and the employees are the LBS told me I need a size large. I tried a marlin 6 gen 3 at the shop and liked it.

I have been looking at bikes obsessively for the past two weeks, trying to find the best deal for under or close to $1000. Today on FB, I found a trek marlin 7 gen 3 and cannondale trail SE 4 2021(?). The trek i can get for 700, the cannondale for around 500. The trek is brand new, the cannondale looks slightly used.

Neither have a drop post or air fork, which is something I am looking for, but regardless of that, should I get one of these or keep looking? I would have no problem paying 1000 for a bike that had amazing parts. Should i get one of these and then add the upgrades myself?

for instance, the UBC racello has great parts for 700, but the geometry isn't great for trails from what I have read. If anyone can recommend something, I would appreciate it.

some other bikes i've got saved:
trek roscoe 6 2023

cannondale habit ht3 (https://ciclimattio.com/en/p/cannondale/habit-ht-3-jade-130mm-l?continent=NA&country=US&currency=USD)

orbea alma h20 2023 (https://www.jensonusa.com/Orbea-Alma-H20-Bike-2023)

marin san quentin 1 2024 (https://revolutionbikeshop.com/2024-marin-san-quentin-27-5-1/)

motobecane fantom29 (https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom-29-deore-sl-29er-front-suspension-mountain-bikes.htm)

polygon xtrada 7

norton poseidon

superior xp 919/929

trek procaliber 2025, above budget (https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/pre-owned-bikes/pre-owned-mountain-bikes/procaliber-6–2025-large/p/55038/?colorCode=red)