If you are primarily going to be driving screws, the CXS will be fantastic.  Enough power for some hard driving but a nice small footprint and ergonomics for a lot of driving.  The right-angle chuck and minimal clearance needs with the Centrotec chuck (or bare) let you get in a lot of tight places.  I recently used the CXS to reach into a wall cavity about 18" blind to drive screws.  I used the right-angle chuck for some and straight for the others.  I can't think of another drill that would have done that so easily.  Last year for a cabinet install, I needed the right-angle chuck to screw in a desk attachment of sorts to an existing cabinet.

If you think the C-12 or other larger drill is more appropriate, you'll want to get the eccentric chuck for it as it lets you get within 1/2" of the wall (CXS does that without said chuck).

I've lent mine out to friends and trusted neighbors.  There are many more on the block now (CXS in this case).

To be quite frank, if you are looking for a decent 18V workhorse-drill, take a long, hard look at the Makita combo-kit with an impact driver and a drill that sells for about $275+tax at Home Depot. I'm sure the larger Festool drills are great, but I too fail to justify the cost for my own situation. Rather get the Maktia kit for your drilling needs and LARGE screws and then complement it with a CXS for everyday use. I find the CXS much more neat and easier to handle in everyday situations but I still use my Maktias for the real heavy duty tasks.

For me, as a non-professional, the festool drills are probably the least attractive offering, at least apart from the CXS, which I find a lot better than all other 10V drills I have tried. I'm sure that if you are a professional, working on job sites, you would appreciate the warranty, insurance and the systainer. While those are nice for me to have, they are non-essential as I always keep my tools at home anyway. I pay for Festools when I consider the actual tool far superior to others, with regards to my needs.

I do agree with Kev that the accessories for the drills, such as the excentric chuck, the angle tool etc are nice, but I get everything except the excentric chuck on my CXS.

Things might have been different if I had not owned the Maktias when I started sipping the cool-aid. But on the other hand, I really like those drills, so I'm pretty sure I'll buy a new set whenever my current ones wear out in about 10 years or so..

I think Kev does make one very important point though: Feel out the different drills. If you think the Festools feels a lot better than any others, go for it. The fit of the handle in your hands will be important for how you handle the drill and ultimately the performance of it as well as the quality of the resulting work.

me too - it's just that I've developed a systainer addiction! 

What's the fun in buying empty ones? (plus the word "addiction" is probably under station my problem a little)

My last drill was a Panasonic. Great drill, incredible torque and battery life. I have switch to festool T3 because of the attachments. I have been slowly remodeling my house and have been working in very tight spaces from  6" duct work in 7.5"  ceiling, cabinet work and deck work. I have been using the right angle chuck and eccentric chuck on every one of those projects, and now with the centrotec installer kit I have a very fine tool. It is a very expensive combination but well worth it if you use it regularly. I look at every tool that I buy and balance the cost benefit of each tool, time saved versus cost of the tool. I waited three years before I bought it because I didn't have the projects to justify it. Now I do and it has paid for itself in two projects.

If you have the work for it, it will pay for itself in a short time.

Another (much cheaper) option is use spade bits for the rare occasion you'll need larger hole in remote a location. 

Will....  we do not have to sell you,  festool gives you 30 DAYS  to use it after you buy it and if you are not sold then return it  full refund.... how can you beat that... put it to the test.

WOW  i sound like shane !  

you will like them  interchangeable chucks, and a whole bunch of things as said... go for it.. now  your 30 days will start at high noon tomorrow !

I couldn't figure out the point of paying that much for the drills either until I bought one.

An extension cord might be an option... The CXS is a fine piece of equipment and will cover the great majority of normal needs. I also have a Ryobi drill and impact driver which work quite well (except for the batteries, which need replacement every 12 months on average and are very heavy).

Like Kreg said (sounding like me)...

Get it, try it for up to 30 days, if you don't like it or you don't think it's worth the coin, take it back for a refund. No risk. Plus, you get the use an amazing drill for a month. 

Several years ago I bought a set of brad tip drill bits from Germany at a Wood Show that from 1/8" to 1/2" with 1/4" shanks.  That would alleviate your need for a larger chuck capacity for an occasional drilling need.  I also have drills with 3/8" and 1/2" drill chuck capacity but, for using that small drill with an rare occasion the small shank bits work just fine. 

I have the C12 and there is no shortage of power plus it is light weight and comfortable to hold. Plus you have 30 days but once you use it, it will not be sent back.

Don't get me wrong, I love my T15+3, but it doesn't end there...

IMO to get the most out of the Fes drill, you've got to use the Centrotec system.  Tack on another few hundred dollars for centrotec drill bits, bit holders, countersinks... etc.  

Yes, you don't NEED the Centrotec bits and pieces, but they really add to the pleasure of using the drill.  

I am this close ---> <--- to getting a CSX because I want another Centrotec drill.    

Williaty, I used to use a Dewalt 18V cordless as my main drill/driver till the batteries finally went at the end of last year.  Rather than purchase new batteries I decided to compare and find the best cordless drill/driver sold in the US.  I compared all the latest and felt that the Panasonics were the best.  I did also like the white Makitas as they were light and very comfortable and seemed to be built well enough to stand up over time even though the blue Makitas (heavier) are more robust.  But the Panasonics were stil more powerful and had a nice feel when using them.  I then discovered festool for the first time.  I directly compared the Festool T18 with the Panasonic 18V.  Now, the Panasonic is more powerful (noticeably so) and can also stand up to crazy dust and water tests.  However, the Festool feels better in my hand and is also more accurate.  The Festool's clutch is electronic and more accurate.  The drill starts and stops more precisely.  The light on the Festool is better located and lights up your work in a dark place just perfect.  Much better than the Panasonic.  The Festool can also turn slower when needed for finish work.   The Festool T18 is simply a better more accurate drill.  The Panasonic is more powerful, but the Festool is strong.   Even the ratcheting chuck on the Festool is better than what is on the Panasonic, Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, etc.  This coupled with the interchangeable chucks and the centrotec system made the Festool T18+3 the best drill/driver sold in the US in my opinion.  It is a quality tool and if you were to own only one Festool cordless drill, this is the one I recommend.

I also wanted a lighter drill/driver for lighter work that did not require all the power of the T18.  I again compared just about every manufacturer and here the CXS came out on top.  Again it was more comfortable, more accurate, had a more accurate clutch and again had the interchangeable chucks and the centrotec system.  I highly recommend it.  But if you could only own one, buy the T18 since you can do more with it and it has a 1/2 inch chuck as well.  The chuck on the CXS is much smaller.  Although you could use a 1/2 inch chuck on the CXS, it just does not feel right.  Too top heavy.  The CXS does note even look right with it attacked    What I really wish Festool would make is a CXS with the brushless motor and electronic clutch.   Increase the torque to about 300 inch lbs. and it would be just about perfect.

As Shane said earlier, bring one home, and you have 30 days to make sure you made the right decision.  You will not be disappointed.  Thank you.