So what is appropriate to spend?

Thanks for all the responses. It's finals time so I haven't gotten to check in on here as often as usual!

I think what you all said makes a lot of sense, so I'm glad I asked. I had just seen that other thread where people were saying that $1,400 was a LOT to spend on a first road bike, and trying to talk the OP into something cheaper. I didn't figure it applied to me since I've been mountain biking regularly for 3 years now (and LOVE it!), but was thinking that if I wouldn't notice the difference between cheaper and more expensive components being relatively new to road biking, that maybe it would make sense to spend less.

We'll see, I'm lusting after a specific bike and can't manage to find one in my area to test ride, so I may have to take a road trip soon :) It's an ultegra-105 mix, and I've never even ridden anything that nice, so I guess the thing to do is go ride a bunch of bikes and see if I can tell the difference!

I saw that thread also. $1400 is relative. If you go cheap and end up buying a second bike, then it will end up costing you more in the long run. It also depends on how much money you make and how involved you get in your hobbies. My DH & I tend to go off the deep end on hobbies and the kids are grown, so.........................