You can always go used. I'm riding a straight steel Raleigh M50 out of the 80s. If you were buying a bike like mine used, it would be, oh, say, free-$150.
If you're in Cali, there might only be a million used bikes to choose from.
I wouldn't be faster on any of the bikes you've have been discussing (although do crave a Fuji SL1 Ultegra carbon, maybe with straight bars).