I really think you can get an old Caad for R500 Cannondale for that. In fact I know you can because I paid less than what you've got for a late 90's R500 with complete Shimano 600 components. It's still a nice bike. Shimano 600 was the Ultegra of it's day and it still is a nice group. Drive a hard bargain and you can sell the bike in a year or two without losing much or any money. Don't get me wrong, there is something really nice about a new bike, but a bike in that price range will be heavy, sluggish and have coarse, low quality components. Resale value will be poor as well.

Trek, Centurian and Raleigh also made good quality road bikes that should be available in your price range as well.