Xterra tempting me

Just got an e-mail from Xterra on their latest offer for existing customers. $160 for a Vortex3 and $120 for sleeveless. I've had a Vortex2 for the last year and a half and it has served me very well but I've just worn it out (cuts, cracks, etc. from extensive use).

I planned to upgrade and bought an Orca 3.8 which was great but it didn't fit me right so I passed it along to my daughter. Was looking at something higher end but with more flexibility like an Orca Alpha or 2XU Velocity but at $600 am questioning what I really get over the $160 suit.

I can afford it but still don't like wasting money. I've seen no data comparing actual time differences between a high end suit and something middle of the road. As far as I can tell, and this is where I am looking for opinions and feedback, the drag coeffienct differences would be maybe a tick or two off the clock as they are both silicone covered neoprene. Some say they are slicker than others but really, what is the difference between .02 vs .026? There seems to be a more complex mix of panels to increase bouyancy and increase flexibility but again they all are 5 mil in most of the non-motion critical areas and 1 to 1.5 mil in the shoulders. Some claim more bouyancy with air bubbles injected in the panels but again how much of a real time difference does that translate too?

I am not a great swimmer but am improving every month and looking to swim my next HIM in under 40 minutes. So with the high end suit is that worth 30 seconds or 3 seconds? I'll probably go ahead and buy the Xterra as a practice suit but really wondered if the other is worth it for races.