For the money, go 2nd hand, or buy a Giant.
Recently spent not much more than you’re planning on doing so, on a road bike myself. I looked at several options, a couple 2nd hand, the now cheap Boardman Comp (nice, but too racy), the Trek, a Specialized or 2, some online specials and the bike I ended up buying… A Giant Defy 2.
It’s hard to describe, but the Giant was literally in a different league! Significantly lighter than all but the Boardman, better frame, better wheels, better kit, better groupset… OK, I bought a 2010 model with money off, but there are still some knocking about. What size do you need?
Out of all I tried, and coming from someone who has previously been a big Trek fan, the Trek 1.1 felt the cheapest and nastiest, was certainly heaviest and poorest specced too!
Check this link out for a few significantly reduced 2010 models