EDIT: Firstly stated, the title is a complete fail. Im looking for a bike LESS THAN 250

So I'd like to get into cycling a bit but dont have anywhere near a $600 staring bike budget.

Looking around craigslist I see I can find alot of old vintage bikes sub 250. Pretty much all of these seem to be sub-12 speed and down tube shifters.

Basically Im wondering what I should be looking at as I'm completely brand new to this. Which brands, models. ect are popular good choices for my price.

I saw a Specialized Allez Epic for 160 yesterday... Just my luck it was already gone before I even figured out what it was lol. Probably never see that price again.

On another note, I will say I'm rather curious what makes these bikes so expensive still, given that these used options are older than I am...
Being frank, I test road an aluminum Fuji bike yesterday (first time on roadbike) and was able to test ride it a good 20min on a local trail by the bike shop. It was in the $850 range. I cant remember the model but given the price range I'm assuming tiagra shifters?
I wasnt super impressed.
The bike road fine sure, was a bit on the rough side but nothing im not used to. Pedals were garbage. Funky design, not made for clip in shoes either, that I could hardly seat right to put power into. And most importantly for $850 it shifted badly IMO. Ive had cheap big store bought mountain bikes my whole life. Half of these shifted more smoothly and on the dime without missing a beat. This bike felt... clunky?

I suppose Im wondering if buying an old bike is going to be an even larger shock of not so impressive ride? Im not trying to knock the bikes. Riding that tester was really enjoyable and certainly different enough to intrigue me into the road bike once and for all. I can easily see how riding something like this at high speed or long distance is blatantly superior but at $850 I was far from impressed with the construction and materials used. Assumming bikes from 20 years ago are using seriously old gear it makes one wonder... And I'm guessing these old steel frame bikes are alot heavier? It was kinda neat being able to toss around the new bikes in shop with a couple fingers.

Thank you!