Just like any hobby, you can take it to any extreme you want. I expect my electrified Venus to be able to take me pretty far for a fairly low cost. Having a decked out plane is wonderful, but it isn't required until you reach the most competitive echelons.

How many people are really being held back by their gear? I have a feeling practice time is probably much more of a handicap, but it's one you can't easily solve with money.

$2500 a plane seems like a lot, until you realize that it's less than what people spend on many other hobbies like snowmobiles, jet skis, doll collections, motorcycles, stamp collections or a competitive mountain bike. Pick your level of insanity and smile every time you're on the sticks.