Well here is my opnion, it like all the others you are hearing is biased with the experience I have gained in my 18 years in the hobby. If this is your first hobby grade r/c I would start with electric. Just because they are easier to maintain and will cost you less. After you have had some experience with the electrics and gotten your R/C feet wet then I would consider nitro. Nitro can bring about many headaches to a new hobbyist that may drive them from the hobby. Once you have some experience these headaches will be lessened. If you do decide to go the electric route and you are just going to bash (play with your r/c, no racing) I would reccomend some of the Traxxas rtr. I have had several Traxxas electrics, but this was back when they still offered them in kit form. I haven't bought anything from traxxas in atleast ten years if not longer. If you think you might like to race then I would look at either the Losi Associated or even XTM rtr for that matter, or if you are feeling adventurous maybe even a kit. But remember you have to supply your own electronics (radio, servos, esc, motor) for the kit where as you get pretty much everything but a charger and battery in the rtr. Again I am presuming that this will be your first hobby grade r/c. If you have previous experience for give me for my presumption. I hope some of what I have said will help. Like I said this is just my opinion.

Oh, to answer your main question about the Rustler vs. the Firestorm, I'm sorta split down the middle with that. The parts support is readily available for the Rustler while the Firestorm being a new r/c it just isn't there. I think the Firestorm will be more capable of being turned into a racer if that is what you are after. The Rustler will pretty much be a fun, reliable bash truck.