TS if you buy used you got many option to consider even name brand. For 3K, you can get specialized allez with 105 r7000, even cannondale caad 12, these 2 are consider a good entry level bike which when you cycle in group you can show face. I shit you not, sooner or later when you ride a twitter/camp/java, you'll find the urge to change to a good name brand road bike. Thats what I did, buy a used specialize frame and moded it out to look like price expensive but when in reality it cheap

For sure, your fitness level is more important. Bike also, if you don't setup properly then you won't utilize 100% of your power.