tough question. what do you want on/in the bike? type of frame? your budget? I"m figuring on buying my first new road bike maybe next year (I ride vintage right now) and I"m hoping I can get away with finding a good one for $1500. You can easily spend 2x to 3x that amount depending on what you want.
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: "Yeah Baby! What a Ride!"