There is no right answer and like anything in bikes the quality level can run the whole Gambit from garbage to life changing just by the particular component selection and how a particular frame fits your individual proportions.

That being said: I built up a 19lb Raleigh R300 in size 58 that was simply an amazing ride with down tube shifters and an Ultegra 3x9. My son had a size 56 that I later outfitted with SRAM Red 2x10 that came to about 17lbs. All aluminum, everything. I regret selling both. To this day I still long for them.

I think I only spent ~$15 for each frame set. Hugely under rated, unknown, and unappreciated.

One thing to consider is there is a difference between feeling fast and being fast. A lot of bikes from that era will not accept nice tires. You may very well be stuck with 23 or 25mm of tire width and no more.

If you'd like the find the middle ground between a lot of 2000 metal road bikes and today's carbon wünderbikes, a 2010'-20-teens CX bike will be a solid choice for road raciness, nice supple tire widths, and modern fit/component selection at a reasonable price...May even be tubeless capable and have disc brakes if you are lucky.