I have the "Industrial Cabinet SawStop" and I just simply love it, it is a very well built saw, lots of great little things that add up to a really well built and thought out saw, but yeah, it is not cheap.
I'm sure you realize that they now have three versions of the SawStop for sale;
SawStop Industrial Cabinet saw
SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw
SawStop Contractor Saw
I understand that the Pro cabinet saw is about $2900 with the 36" rails, but I wonder if there are not deals to find out there?
The Industrial unit comes with a choice of motors, the 3Hp, 5Hp, or 7.5Hp, the Pro model comes with the 3Hp only and as you pointed out, the Contractors saw comes with the 1.75Hp motor, which is also the only one with a 110v power option. If you do not have 220v in your shop, you would have to have that upgraded to get the Pro or Industrial saw.
When I bought mine, the Pro was not out yet, and as it was payment for the first aparto renovation, I did go for the best saw I could get, but, if I was buying one now, from my own pocket money, I'd look real hard at the Pro model.
I see these prices online right now......
Industrial 3Hp $3909 ($3449 + 36" rail and fence $370 ext table $90)
Pro 3Hp $2900 that includes the 36" rails and table
Contractor 1.75Hp $1780 that comes with the 36" rail and fence set up
That is just an example of pricing, who knows what you can get by looking arounc, but I see the Pro model as being $1120 more than the Contractor saw.
What you have to ask yourself is it worth that much more, and only you can really answer that question.
I will say this, if you look at the $1120, and lets just round that up to $1200 to make it easier, over the next 10 years, that is really not a lot of money. I know that $1200 is nothing to sneeze at for any of us, but I would have to ask if you are really going to be completely happy with the contractor saw, you may well be very happy with it, but, for 10 bucks a month more (over 10 years) or about 33 cents a day, you could have the Pro model, which I'm sure you would never need to upgrade from.
I know it is all down to the money, but if you buy the cheaper saw now, and down the road realize that the mid price saw is what you really wanted/needed, then did you really save any money?
I will say this, I very much doubt you will find a better contractor saw than the SawStop unit, and if they say 1.75 Hp, it really will be that power rating, no some hyped up number that sometimes happens with other tools.
Just my two cents worth!
Best of luck!