So glad for you!!
(Jeeze, didn't mean to push the Lizard Skins so much, but I love the stuff! And actually, I just thought the color bloc black and white would really accent that bike. I knew when I said it you wouldn't go for it, just had to point it out cause it's such a pretty bike!).
Understand completely about going above budget. My most recent bike, a Surly Krampus that I have built from a frameset, came it at over 2 grand. It was supposed to be 1000.00 US. But the total did include a Pioneer Mountain Man rack that is easily detachable, which was $165.00 on its own. (Had to have a rack and basket for my little dog, but don't want it on there all the time as it's a performance bike, too).
The thing that will make the bike feel most different is the tread on the tires, vice the width of the tires. My CAADX has 35's, but the reason I have to work so hard to ride it on pavement compared to my Pinarello is the knobby tires. That, and I purposely built the CAADX so it would be more upright. Love riding that bike. But the Pina is more comfortable even though it's more aggressive. Go figure.