I basically have the same story as you: went to buy my first road bike, expecting to pay around $700, test rode a Giant OCR composite (carbon) frame and fell in love. I felt insane for spending $2400 on a bike. And now, six years later, I still think of that as the best $2400 I ever spent (especially since the bike went on sale 2 weeks later and they credited me $240, which I used to buy SIDI Dominators, some tools, and some other gear).

Seriously, if you can make it work with your budget, buy the bike you love.