I looked at a lot of bikes online and thought I had narrowed it down to a
Marin Muirwood or a
Trek 7300 FX
Went into my LBS and wound up getting a
Specialized Sirrus Once the bikes there in front of me the choice was clear.
In my case bike weight was a major factor and I wanted something that was enough fun that I would continue riding it. Getting a cheap used bike might be a short termed bargain but it's wasted money if winds up taking up space and gathering dust. $400 or $500 may seem like a lot, not to forget I've probably spent at least as much in accessories, but it's money I'm not spending on public transportation.
If I had it to do all over again, and I really needed to stay under $200, I'd probably look for one of those vintage Raleigh Mixe frames from the '70s or '80s with a nice leather Brooks saddle. I saw one on Craigs List a while back for about $160.
Either way, seeing the bike in person, and trying it out, is a lot easier than chosing a bike online.
Stacy