Consider the Circuit line of trucks by ECX:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...ilver-ECX03020 I bought two of them for my grandsons: one is 9 years old and the other one is 6 years old. I have them run the cars on a softball field's infield. The performance of the cars is incredible, and they are virtually bullet proof as testified by the many instances of head-on collisions at full speed. Just get several batteries for extended fun.