1. Carbon is not faster than aluminum. Period. So if you expect to get a speed gain, yes, you've probably wasted your money. You will have gained zero mechanical advantage.

2. Cervelo carbon bikes are notoriously super-stiff. This allows a 'livelier' feel when you hammer, but also means that it's a pretty harsh ride. I have a Cervelo CF bike and a $700 aluminum Giant Defy, and honestly, the Giant Defy is a smoother ride than the Cervelo (even with a non-carbon fork.) I think it's the frame geometry, including that huge BB that Cervelos have. I was warned about this when I bought the bike from my LBS, as they apparently had quite a few people complain about the harsh ride thinking that a CF would be magically softer than alu, when it's not necessarily the case. It would be if the frames were the exact same geometry probably, but they're usually not, and Cervelos are meant for racing more than touring. So not bizarre that my alu bike is more comfortable than my CF bike, including less road chatter.