Well, I'd say that the GT and the XXX-NT are about matched. Both have their weak points and their strong points. My personal preference is Associated cars, but again, that's just me.

Losi probably improved their manuals in a couple of years because as far as I can remember, they sucked.

What lhs do u frequent mostly? I like Great Hobbies, that is where I got my GT from. I find the folks at Hobby Wholesale pretty good to deal with, too. Man, why is it that the only place you can get model railroad stuff is Kites & Other Delights? Great Hobbies is no longer selling RR stuff. Gotta do something on the rainy days, right?