Commuting - Anyone have experiency with Trek 520?

I have been away from bikes for a long time, then started riding a friend's old mountain bike to work (6 miles one way, all paved). Have been hooked for about two months. I am now looking for a better bike, and just tried a new '03 520 on sale for just under $600 at LBS. Does anyone out there have experience with this bike? How is the quality of the components (Shimano 105 front derailluer, Deore LX rear derailluer, 105 crankset)? Any thoughts of comparison to Specialized Sirrus type "fast hybrids"?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have a 520. Bought it new last May and have put 3300 miles on it since. I use the bike daily and have done long rides of up to 115 miles. Other then routine tuning and lubing the bike has been flawless. I even like the saddle. $600 US is a great price I paid nearly $1000 new, I think it has been well worth it. I have no no experiance with the Specializeds.

Edit: Also do a search there are many threds on the 520, especially to do with touring.

I bought the 520 around six weeks ago, and love it. I paid about $900 for it, with a Brooks saddle--still a great deal. However, I think for $600, your's is the deal of a lifetime. I saw an '03 for $800, but nothing lower. Just make sure it's the right size; I'm 5'10" and use a 23" frame. About the Specialized: I tried it, and found it too stiff. It's also a hybrid, not a touring. For all around commuting, long distance, touring, and even good solid rides, you really can't beat the 520.

Cheers

Thanks for the input. I really wasn't looking for a touring bike, and don't really see myself carrying much weight. Just enough for lunch, and maybe a few small items from the store on the way home. The 520 caught my eye because I haven't ridden anything with drop bars in a long time and it had fender/rack mounts. I enjoyed it.

I was in general interested in flat bar road bike type hybrids like the Sirrus for comparison/contrast to the 520. It did seem like a great deal.

I bought a 520 around Febuary. I'm in love with this bike, it's beautiful out and my specialized stumpjumper still hasn't been riden cause I'm too busy riding everywhere on this bike. The only thing I'd change is the seat maybe. I'm still using the rear rack and I carry at least 30 lbs of stuff almost every day (my damn organic chemistry answer book is the same weight as the organic book!) It's super stable and the tires that came on it are kinda wide so it's an easy transition from a mountain bike to this one. This is my first bike with dropped handlebars and I've never had a regret. My girlfriend said I need to find a sticker for it that says "I love my bike" if that tells you anything. Good luck. Peace.