Personally, if you are looking to go more road than comfort in a commuter, which I would and did for a multitude of reasons. I have a giant FCR3 (2006) which was around 500 american. It has served every purpose I could throw at it. I toured cross country or at least 1400 miles worth, use it to commute for work/errands/social, and go hang with some of the roadies for a 40-50 miler no problem. I love my Giant and pretty much every giant I can remember owning. I would pick up that 2008.5 FCR2 if I were you.