my first reaction was "i don't see myself using big bits like 1 pass molding/shaping or raised panel bits".
almost instantly after that i thought "but i might once i have a decent router table setup".
the 3hp is $300 motor only and i have the fixed+plunge combo 690 setup, i think that's 2.25hp. so maybe i should just pony up for the big one and be done with it. buy once, cry once.
the problem is the jump from 2.25 to 3 is double the price.