If you were going to a no wetsuit KQ swim then fine, spend all the $$$ needed to shave time. In Kona, no one cares if you are 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, 26th, 51st, 76th, 101st etc etc in your age group. Kona is the reward. The race is at the qualifier unless you're a podium contender at Kona. I bet your old suit is hydrophobic enough for more age group purposes assuming it did not turn into a drag chute!