I rode high-end English, French, and Italian steel bikes from the mid-'60s to the mid-2000s and then got my first aluminum bike. The aluminum bike rode as well as my steel bikes with a similar wheelbase (since wheelbase and tire width are the most significant factors determining how a bike rides), weighed less, and handled more predictably on fast descents, so the steel bikes have been collecting dust for over a decade.
Finally bought a carbon bike five years ago to see whether it would live up to the hype. Verdict: it's a bit lighter than my equivalent aluminum bike but otherwise rides the same. Unfortunately, I cracked one of its dropouts last weekend, having absent-mindedly neglected to completely close the rear wheel quick-release lever on my new smart trainer. Darn.
The carbon bike was fine, but I'm going to stick to aluminum bikes for my few remaining years of riding.