Hey man,
Grab a 2014 or 2015 Trance from gumtree. 2nd hand, but no k's on them, so as new. The 2014/15 shape is the long, low, slack, 27.5" one, you probably don't want an earlier model, they're a bit xc in geometry. At the moment they're really cheap as there's heap available. 2k will get you a sweet Trance 1 or 2 or SX maybe with a few extra's the previous owner has added.
Lock out is there for the rear shock so your legs don't die climbing those new hills, but can be opened up for the downhills and airtime
140mm travel fork with TALAS down to 120 also helps those legs.
Sweet frame you can upgrade as you can go if you like, or just sell it again for similar money after you get cashed up again. Same as the Reign that goes right up to $5000.
I bought my first MTB a few months ago, an XTC2. It's a big hardtail that rolls all over stuff, but when you hit the DH and want to have a bit of fun, nothing beats the trance, so I bought one shortly after!
Good for DH and XC, can't recommend the Trance's enough. Good luck.