Geared bike advice for a noob?

Basically, in my mind, I just want a steel frame with horizontal top tube (cos that's what I like), and by default, this seems to mean that I'm looking at older bikes, as most new ones are alu or way above my budget. I'd rather a newer frame (90s) rather than say a 70s frame, as I think I'll just have more confidence in it. I do ride pretty hard, and the roads round here are fucked.
I don't have a particular interest in being faithful to 'period' parts, or certain brands etc. Take the Cia Battino at the top ^, Shimano 105, Stronglight & Mavic parts, and looks great! Just want parts that are strong, reliable, light, and easy to install/maintain/replace. (And look good).
http://www.matuzmaster.hu/_userfiles/image/2010-02-07-moser-fillet/14178-big.jpg
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That frame might well be over budget. But chuck them an E-mail with budget info, and I'm sure Geof Burges will find something for you. Not as cheap as a good E-bay find, but he does find some lovely stuff.

I would recommend getting something modern, but I'm not sure your budget will stretch to it.

The best advice would be to gather knowledge of tubesets and brands/makers. Then apply this knowledge to a EBay hunt. Search european EBay sites, as UK EBay tends to demand more of a hipster tax on retro framesets.

Tender-lion speaks a lot of sense.