I myself think the Jato is pretty cool and is the only traxxas I would be interested in owning. However, if it were my first or only nitro/rc ......no way!
It's hard to go wrong with the hyper 7 or any ofna rtr for that matter, but if I were to recommend a budget/firstrtr it would be this one
http://www.amainhobbies.com/shopping...words/neo%20st (far superior to any traxxas rtr IMHO)If you are only driving on pavement and want speed may want to look into a gt car. Good luck with whatever you get.....these things are lots of fun!