If I spend $150 and find out it's less of a hassle getting around a different way, I'm not out too much.
But it's easy to say "get a decent bike" when you're not the one spending the dough. If you can find me a road bike for under $200 from an LBS, I'll gladly look into it....Right? :^)
Awww Would you like some fries with that? DO YOUR OWN WORK.