Are you planning on loaded touring or just thinking you would have been better with a touring bike? If loaded touring a touring bike is the best, but not the only option. Older rigid MTBs can make a good touring rig. Some of the popular less expensive touring bikes are the Trek 520, LHT complete, Novarra Rondonee or even the Windsor Tourist.

If your not going to do loaded touring then maybe a steel road bike would suit you better. Bikesdirect sells a steel road bike that's very reasonably priced.