Richter 8.0 was a bit of a mix, with XT derailleurs, DX shifters and cassette and LX cranks/hubs/brakes.
It should be listed below the Bravado LE in the catalogue, as the steel equivalent to the Avalanche AL (thereby taking the place of the non-Team steel Avalnche). The biggest factor for me is that while most the steel frames used True Temper GTX series tubes, the Richter 8.0 is Tange Prestige Concept (aside from the Groove Tube top tube). It very much comes down to personal preference, but of the GTs I've ridden it's my favourite frame - hence keeping it as my go to offroad bike while selling several other GTs.
I'd say most people would prefer to buy it as a frame, given the mix of parts it originally came with gives a lot of room for freedom to build up as you like. If I think of someone shorter than me looking for a bike I will buy it and build it up for them!
I found out that someone on here has recently acquired a 20" for a bargain price and I am very jealous!