Elite Dangerous is actually out in a couple of weeks but I really doubt I'll buy it until next year.
I'm a KS backer for ED and have played a little of the premium beta and now quite a bit more of the current gamma (release candidate). Delaying your purchase until next year seems like a good choice. ED needs quite a bit of work before it is really "finished".
I don't necessarily mean bugs. The game is mostly stable and there are a few irritating bugs but the main issues are elsewhere.
For example, there is only a combat tutorial up to now but no (official) info on trading, bounty hunting or exploration. In addition to that, there are some really mind boggling omissions in many basic gameplay areas like travel etc.
Example: You can't really plan any routes as of yet. You pretty much have to jump from system to system and go from there.
The learning curve is very steep due to a complete lack of introduction to anything. You have to do a lot of research just reading the official forums or watching some YT clips. In a perverted old school sense, this is actually kind of fun and rewarding at times when you figure out how the game works but then again what would have been wrong with a tutorial or two... or ten, eh?
It's also pretty frustrating sometimes when you want to do something but can't figure out how, or you can actually do it, but it's really awkward and complicated, and then you check on the forums for an easier way because you are sure you are missing the forest for the trees.... only to find out that you were in fact not missing anything but you stumbled into another unfinished area of the game.
Don't get me wrong. I believe that FD have managed to put together an excellent basis to work from. ED has tons of potential. But they really need to shift into high gear and add some much needed information/tutorials to the game in addition to a ton of usability/ease of use features.
And then focus on adding content. I'm not sure the planetary module (exiting your ship and walking around in stations etc.) should be a priority. It would be much wiser IMHO to focus on making the space game the most fun it can be first and foremost. The big systems are bounty hunting, smuggling, trading, mining and exploration. They should fill those systems with as much life as possible to keep people busy and playing.
Should be interesting to see which direction ED is heading next year. Good call on waiting for sure. I'd recommend to check out the ED forums from time to time to see where the game stands.
As for the game itself, my general recommendation is: Only buy this now (December 16th) if you are a core space sim fan or so starved for a decent space sim that you don't mind an excessive learning curve from setting up your controls to figuring out how basic stuff is working. It is quite rewarding when you get to play it as intended but there will be lots of sighing and cursing involved at how much easier all of that stuff could be with at least some basic pointers or tutorials.