RE: What other types of SCTs are worth looking at?
cheap, fun, durable....ECX torment.
under $180 RTR.
Only does 25mph out of the box....but plenty of torque so it accelerates quicly.
Comes with a much better radio than most RTR's in the sub $200 price range.
Could be upgraded to brushless for $60-$80 with a cheap system from hobbypartz.com.
I own the torment as well as the ECX boost. Ive been impressed with the durability of both.
Compared to the traxxas slash 2wd (brushed version) which is a fair bit more costly, the torment is a good deal.
The slash is waterproof and faster in a striaght line (out of the box)
But on most any track the torment (agian, box stock) will toast the slash. It has better tires and just plain handles better. IMO, it looks better too.
And you can often find a decent used torment for under $150 shipped. Add in a brushless system (and sell the stock brushed setup to recoupe some $) and you have a fast, durable SCT for hardly over $200.