That was my exact same goal. I went with a new unused 2003 Bianchi Vigorelli steel road bike I plucked off of ebay last November for 55% off retail. I got a whole lot more bike for my money that way. I had only been researching road bikes for a week online and hadn't really committed to buying one nor even stepped foot into a local bike shop yet when I ran across that buy it now. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I'd suggest test riding first at the LBS, though, to get a good feel for the bike you might want. When I bought my mountain bike 15 years ago, I ended up buying a bike I didn't think I would have, but it felt so much better riding than any others.

Good luck, and welcome to the forums. You'll find a lot of help here. Just ask.