I've definitely observed and experienced that. On the other hand, there's also the opposite phenomenon (maybe it should be called the Titanium Driver Paradox):

I've definitely observed and experienced that. On the other hand, there's also the opposite phenomenon (maybe it should be called the Titanium Driver Paradox): that beginners buy expensive high end gear that doesn't really do them much good at their current level: mediocre singers buy fancy microphones, mediocre cyclists buy fancy bikes, etc.