Have you test ridden anything yet? That's the first step if you really have no idea what to expect with a road bike etc. Budget wise, you're right that you can get more bang for your buck with a standard road bike. Go test ride some and see what you think.

Another thing to know about trying to buy an on sale bike (I see that you want it now, which makes sense) is that manufacturers are under-producing bikes now to create more demand and less bikes sitting around to be sold at lower prices. So unless you're a wacky size, it just doesn't happen.