I've got a Carrera Vanquish and a Kraken both great quality for the price and after initial set up have been no problem for last 2 years.
they do seem to keep lowering the spec though and have recently stopped putting the specs on the web site.
iv'e noticed the specs dropping myself a guy went past me on the new brown carrera (kraken maybe?) and the spec was no where near mine!??
was looking at a boardman mike online at halfords for £999 and the spec was almost the same as mine.....avid brakes,jucey gears,sram system almost exactly whats on my bike so don't think they are the only ones changing the spec down an alot of bikes!