yes and no... i got my 450D last year, was green n00b. i think it depends about how passionate you are abt it. if you want to go all the way and experiment with lenses, might as well get a DSLR and then don't need to keep changing cameras.
but i must further underline the fact that if you're getting a DSLR to look cool, please go save your money and buy something else. that is the thing that irks me the most.