About 3 years ago or so I purchased an HPI RS4 MT electric. I played with a couple of different engines and gears and had alot of fun with the 4x4 on and offroad handling(mainly on road). I then sold it to try a 1/8 4wd nitro buggy. Can't remember the brand - it looked like a Meugen Super Athlete but less expensive. Generally a big pain, thrilled me for 5 minutes because it only ran properly for 5 minutes! Later someone told me that its particular engine was very fussy, oh great! Sold it, been out of the hobby since.

Now it seems like every add in the mags are for nitro cars. Have there been alot of advances with nitro reliability? Do nitro enthusiasts minimize the nitro learning curve and hassles? I would guess maybe that is the case. I'm in Michigan with cold weather coming and am concerned about the cold and nitro drivability.

With the new Nimh batteries and the brushless motors available it seems like electric cars may have quite a rebound. Just picturing an electric RS4 MT with a brushless novak and a 3300mah makes me smile. Have there been any changes to the HPI RS4 MT over the past few years? Why does a truck like the 2wd Ruslter seem to be so much more popular than the 4wd MT?