A few random thoughts to add to the mixing bowl.
Blessed or cursed with a garage full of bikes of various frame materials so the steel vs. carbon argument does not hold water with me. I find no great speed difference when going over 30 miles between the materials and similar equipped. Frame fit to the rider is the key.
A modern steel frame can compete very well with other frame materials on weight. Example: Torrelli Nitro Express with Ultegra and a decent set of wheels is under 17 pounds in a size 52 cm frame according to my scale.
If it ever comes down to it the bikes will be sold off in the following manner: aluminum first, carbon, carbon/steel mix, ti, ti/carbon mix, steel.