I bought a new bike and went for discs but my previous one had cantis.
Canti’s were fine for racing but not really that good for the more general riding I did which was more like easy mountain biking.
Mechanicals were fine, not as good as hydraulics but at least with a disc ready frame the upgrade option is available if they appear in the near future.
It isn’t just about the grip of the tyres. When I rode the three peaks with discs my hands an arms didn’t get as tired as they had on my training rides with canti’s. Disc require a lighter touch where as to get the bike to stop with cantis I had to squeeze pretty damn hard. Again less of an issue racing as you won’t be doing long steep downhills.
Wheels are probably more expensive for two reasons. Discs hubs cost more and the options of disc ready wheels is limited so you may end up going for custom handbuilts to find something you want. They are comparable with mountain bike prices though (my custom wheels with A23 rims and hope hubs was just over £300 from JRA). The advantages of disc is that the rims won’t wear. On my old bikes I’d get about 2 years use out of the rims riding year round, racing and using it as a winter bike.
Discs are still heavier.
Personally I’d recommend discs – more power so easier braking, no rim wear, better mud performance, future proof, better for non racing riding. You will spend a bit more and carry a bit more weight nd limit your choices on frames and wheels.