I dont know much about HPI in general but from what i read, if you're going to spend $250 on the firestorm, i'd just save up 40-50 bucks more and buy the Associated RC10-GT2 RTR. Or if you wanted a kit form they make that as well. They have a great reputation of being awesome truck with great part availability from my experience. I'd go with that or a XXX-NT. But then again i've read good news about Firestorms but imho the GT or XXX seem to be more durable.