Well i prefer nitro, but in this case i would have to go with electric. I've got an electric touring car and a nitro touring car and the electric (tamiya TL-01) was much easier to maintain and look after than a nitro ever will be. After over a year with my nitro TS-4 (thunder tiger) i have just managed to get it tuned properly after i killed the stock engine, it is on its third clutch and i have spent £££ on replacing parts and other stuff.

Whatever he gets he will be happy with, but unless he has the patience and knowhow to operate a nitro model he should go with the electric option.