This is a really good question. I'm impressed!

I applaud you! This is an excellent question and one that deserves the best expert available...so here I am! Best friends, and close relatives, can ruin a seemingly strong relationship. Seen it happen fifteen times in my life. She's had it out with the friends once before so there's some positive history there that this girl might be a keeper. Maybe. I doubly applaud you for dumping all the toxins in your life for 2008. That's the way to do it...cold turkey. Everybody toxic has gotta go! Trust me, you'll have a better life for it. Back to this girl...here's what the Mtnnn Mannn would do. I would approach her, tell her that she's the absolute best, your intentions for you two as a successful dating couple are top priority, and the only way you want to continue seeing her is if the both of you can be completely honest every step of the way. I've done this, it works! Women, at least the good ones, want this. They need honesty in their relationship. You tell her straight up that her friends bring you down and I'll bet that this honey listens to you. All I can promise is that she'll LISTEN. If she's the girl you make her out to be, I give it a 74% chance that she'll weigh the good and bad of both you and the toxic friends...you'll win that challenge every time. If she excludes them from activities, take that deal. You see her not inviting them to events with you two, that's a great sign. Don't waste time...get this done tonight.