RE: good car?
Might be easier to get parts if you got an Associated or Losi. Both MiniT and RC18xx (I am partial to the MiniLST2) are great trucks with tons of after market parts and parts available at most hobby shops. I live in the LA area and NO X-ray parts in stock anywhere. Having said that it did not stop me from getting and NT18. I heard the electric offroad versions are tough but I have never seen one, even at tracks around here.