There are two models of steel Sevens that are $3,695 and $3,795 new, so if I am lucky enough to find a used one of those in my frame size, a Seven might fit into my budget. But yes, a new model by that company is in "a whole different league" as far as price is concerned.

I was also looking at Devinci bikes, made by our neighbors to the north, in Canada. There are a few bikes under $3,000 (the hubs got on board with a budget of 3G). I figure if I can't buy an American bike in my budget, then I would expand my search for "ethically produced" bicycles, so I can sleep more soundly about folks getting paid fair wages and working in safe conditions to make my bike. That would then include Canada, the UK, Italy, or Japan. (Those are the major countries I'm aware of that make road bikes.)