Your local dealers should be able to order a 2012 bike at a reduced cost once you decide on what you want. My favorite LBS publishes the leftovers available for Trek, Specialized and Giant with the discount price (sizes in red are local only). Here's the link http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/e..._Bicycles.html. This will at least give you an idea of what you can get for the money with year end sales.

As for your list, my first road bike was a 2010 Dolce Sport Compact. It was a great start, but it was only a couple of months before I found a great deal on a 2009 Trek 2.1 WSD. Although only $50 more, it was so much nicer and it soon became my main road bike. The Dolce is a bit more temperamental with shifting, so it is idle most of the time. This is a way of saying, get what you really want, even if you have to wait.

Good Luck,
P2