Unless you're in the top 10% of your age group, $10K + is too much for a tri bike. In my opinion, yes, you will look like a poser/tool/fred. Nothing I like more than passing $9000 bikes on my $2000 collection of ebay parts. There's lots of excellent, cool bikes for $3000 to $5000.

Visit several local bike shops. Get to know them and the vibe of the shop. Pick the shop you like best. Then identify the coolest, most experienced mechanic ("wrench") there. Order your brand new $5000 bike from them. Have them go over everything and fit you as best they can. Have them customize it to your liking (Sram Red, with Campy brakes, whatever you like). Then put the project over the top by blowing another $1500 on flying you, your new bike, and your wrench, to spend a couple of hours in the wind tunnel. You will then truly have a bike which is the fastest you can be. You will also have a new friend for life, and be first in line anytime you want so much as your seat height adjusted. That would be a very cool, not a Fred, thing to do. In my opinion.