Triathlon - P2c and better wheels or p3

If you were going to buy one of these two bikes, would you go for the Cervelo P2 carbon and get nice aero wheels, or spend the money on the P3 and not have money left for new wheels?

I'm not 100% sure I'm getting a cervelo, but I was just thinking about the two bikes and thought I'd get people's opinions. I still need to give both a test ride.

P2 + wheels.

The aero advantage of P3 over the P2 isn't nearly as big as the improvement of getting nice wheels.

Another idea is getting the P3 now and next year get the nice wheels. :)

I went with Felt (fit me better) and was debating between the B2 and the B12. Went with the B12 w/HED wheels -- was assured by the bike shop and some others that the differences between the B2/B12 (Red vs. Ultegra) and some other things I most likely wouldn't notice, but the difference between my stock training wheels and my race wheels + aero helmet I WOULD notice. In my races I tend to be about 2.5-3 mph faster than on my training rides.
With that said my vote would be P2c & wheels
Just my 2 cents.

Question should be on which of the two bikes you can get an optimal position?

Since the body accounts for an estimated 75-80% of the drag, I'd go with the bike that fits the best. If thats the P2C then you also have the wheels. If the P3C, worry about the wheels later...

If both fit equally well (which through wouldn't given differences in the two frames) I'd go the P2C with wheels. ;)

P2C and get the wheels or even better a PowerTap

P2C + Wheels...... But, Id keep a look out for an 08 P3C, since it's probably about the same price as the 09 P2C >.>

thanks for the great advice everyone! I'll let you know what I do, I have a lot of test rides to do first, just have to find good shops that carry the bikes I wanna test (and that will let me test them!)

The P2C and P3C fit differently, so go for the better fit.

P2. Better fit for most trifatletes and the P2 has about 15gms more drag than the P3. Do a tiny bit more run training and you can make up that difference for free. And race wheels add that special feeling on race day. Confidence ftw!

the p3 is designed to run very aero, like no spacers. so so as drpete stated the fit is different.
I'd look for an 08 p3 on sale but if not p2c with aero wheels

So, based on geometries... using a 54 as an example:

P3C 54 700c 72.5° 60 530 105 609 380 762 498 419
P2C 54 700c 72.5° 60 530 120 609 380 776 512 418

The P3 will be longer and lower. If you ride a steep seat angle or have a freakishly long torso (like myself 5'10" with 29" inseam) a P3 might end up fitting better.

I have a P2-SL (same geometry as P1/P2C) in 54 (with a longer stem) and had a fitting done (ttbikefit.com) and was advised that I would be better off with a 56 P3, M/L QR CD0.1, Fuji D6 M/L. All longer bikes.

Bottom line: With that kind of money, find a tri specific shop, get a fitting done. There shouldn't be any guess work or eyeballing.

It depends on what size you are. If you're looking at a size 48 or 51, the P2 and P3 fit identically. In sizes 54 and higher, the P3 is a bit "longer" and "lower than the P2. Be sure you get the bike that fits you best. That is most important.

That being said, all things being equal, the P2 + race wheels will be faster than the P3 + training wheels. Now, the P3 + cheaper racing wheels might still be faster than P2 + nice race wheels, it really depends on what kind of wheels we're talking about... :)

I'll be on a 51 and yeah, I've heard there's not much of a difference at that size, but you know, you hear a lot of things so it's good to get a few opinions. :-)
I had a quick fit last week and took out a P2 for a test ride in Central Park. Nice bike! Wanted to then take a Trek TT and a P3 out, but it started to rain. :-(

I'll get a pro fitting since I'm sponsored by a trishop, but you know, I like to seek advice here too.

FYI, Cervelo posts the geometry of their bikes on their website. You can confirm there that the P2 and P3 have identical measurements in your size :)

P2: http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=P22009
P3: http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=P32009