I voted for the Rustler. It is a great first nitro. It was one of my first and is still one of my favorite. Lots of people bash the rustler and say it breaks alot. It does not ... once you learn to drive. No matter what you get you will break alot early on. After a bit that goes away... except for the time to time when you have too much fun
Also look at the Jato... It is very very durable for an ST - but may be a bit fast for a beginner...