I have a 2003 Trek 7500FX and have been v happy w it. I did swap out the front tire for a narrower tire but that's really the only change I made.

I've done several centuries on it and rode it on a 560 mile AIDS ride in 2005. Got a road bike in 2006 but have never loved it the way I love my 7500FX. (Possibly because I had a bad crash the first month w the road bike, but that's another story!). In fact, the road bike is on the trainer!

I figure that the relative rarity of flats/mechanicals on the 7500FX makes up for the extra weight and less aerodynamic position. I have a chronic low back problem due to an old compression fracture as well as spondelothesis and the 7500FX was been quite comfortable.

If both of my bikes disappeared today, I'd get a higher end FX model and not get another road bike. I think I'm in the minority here though.