I like the Ascender, I don't have one but looking at the pics from Vaterra, I see it as a very versatile scaler. I especially like that the frame can be adjusted for various lengths and wheelbases, and that it comes with some items that if you bought a Honcho, would be an extra, like the front panhard. If you go to Horizon Hobbies website they show a lot of available parts. Several friends of mine that own Honchos are happy with their Ascenders as well. However, I do wish it would have come with leaf springs, especially with a Blazer