Ok thanks!Heaps of low level players online still (peoples 2nd/3rd characters perhaps). Overall though it isn't a online game that you become way over powered the higher you go. In terms of power the max level is 120 (guns are unlocked at various levels) which unlocks the mini gun which I rarely see get used. Getting to 90 unlocks the heavy Sniper which is really the last of the must have guns imo. Getting to lvl 90 is a breeze if you smash missions in a group which will also get you money to buy all the cool cars etc..
Overall, you cant really get stronger the higher you get higher other then better weapons. You get a extra health as you level up but im not sure it is a big deal breaker
Much of the online activity is heists (co-op), Missions (co-op), Free roam (free for all muck around), and races
Free roaming might be the only time you notice any weakness early on, but doing that is just for stuffing around and it doesn't get you anywhere financially.
Key to playing it early on would be doing missions to fast track XP gains and $$ gains
Are the co-op missions easy enough to participate in by myself? As in - none of my mates play this online, and I don't have a headset or anything because I'm not a hardcore gamer.. so I'd really just be jumping on for a few hours here and there without wanting to become too dedicated to the game..