I agree with everything said so far. I'll add that if you're fairly proficient at repairing bikes, installing components, etc., then by all means buy used. Be patient and look for the right bike on craigslist. I don't know much about bikes except how to ride them, and I didn't feel comfortable buying used. I went into my LBS a couple of months ago with a $200 budget, took one look, fainted, recovered, and upped my budget to precisely what I paid for my Trek 7100, which has now shot up to $439. Good luck.