For that kind of use with mostly bashing i would go with the most durable and easy to get parts for truck,the RUSTLER! Ive had several trucks over the years, both nitro and electric, and my electric RUSTLER has been by far my favorite and most reliable. I have a Mamba brushless motor and ESC, and this thing screams..Two friends listed their nitros on e-bay after seeing mine run..That LOSI desert truck looks good(def.better than the [:'(]SLASH) but i have to see it time tested..