RE: Looking for a new RC car on a budget.
I like your style. Have you considered HPI Trophy (3.5 or 4.6)? I hate to throw in another prospect...and personally cannot speak to those models, but they've sparked my interest in my latest searches...which is similar to what you are looking for.
With that...I'm going to "predict" you'll end up with the Hyper 8.5. Again, no experience with that one either, but my guy at our LHS told me that is becoming one of his favorites.
Let us know and send pics of whatever you decide!