For those of you that have built up those modern classics, you know, the sinfully gorgeous bikes that draw appreciation from all of us...

How does the ride of modern steel compare to some of the nicer 1980's (more attainable) rides such as a trek 760, specialized allez, gitane TDF, centurion ironmans (the better production roadie stuff from that era)? Is the improvement noticeable and worth the cost of a modern custom (or higher end standard) frameset? Talking about $2k or so frames here (gotta pay for kid's college, all that good stuff).

Here's the root of my dilemma... I'm lusting after a modern ti bike, but really want classic geometry. I got this same disease in the mid 90's and got over it (mainly because I'm not a litespeed guy and that's what most people got back then). I've looked into other more affordable stuff such as the Habernero ti, Moto ti's etc and I'm gradually convincing myself that one of these frames with a light wheelset and compact double weighing in around 17lbs would be enough of a functional wow factor to forget the lack of C&Vish beauty and craftsmanship (at least in the same way I've come to appreciate it in nicer steel frames).

Experiences? Is there a classic ti best of both worlds I haven't considered? Help me out (please)