Since I live and ride in central Jersey and the roads are not in the best shape and after 3 flats in late fall, I decided to get a winter bike and went for the CX. After a 30 mile ride over the weekend, I know that I would not have been able to do it on the road bike. With all of the melting snow still on the side of some roads and the amount of debris pushed to the side by the plows, I would have spent more time fixing flats then riding. The CX will not just be a winter bike, as I will use it for easy trails and just general exploring some back roads.
You once commented on another thread that you thought my Moto Ti CX was a nice bike and I can confirm that I love how it rides and handles. If you can do it, go for it.