Originally Posted by cycle17

I'll toss in my two cents....I'd suggest buying a new/newer bike for several reasons:

1. Although the bike looks in good condition...it is over ten years old. Parts for that groupset will be increasingly harder to find.
2. The carbon with aluminum lugs was the beginning of Trek's carbon venture and what do you do if you have a problem with the frame a few months down the road?
3. It's 8 speed...at the very least on a new bike you'll likely get 9spd, maybe even 10 speed in some cases depending on the price. If this is your first bike...you won't likely get much of your money back when you go to sell it.
4. I really don't think this bike is worth $500 I think you'd be better off with a new bike with a full frame warranty and some free adjustments/tuneups from the local bike shop.

I'm in the camp that thinks you should buy a new bike and let him try and get $500 out of some other potential buyer.