Flipped the other way around, I researched what aircraft my local flight school had and started using sims with VATSIM before pursuing my PPL. My CFI was impressed with my radio acumen when I started and I imagine it saved me a good deal of money in some regard (less training needing to be spent there).

Nothing replaces getting in the air, but using a sim certainly can make those (expensive) hours up in the air more enjoyable.