hello, first off i havent owned any rcs aside from the small 1/64 zipzaps and the crap sold at kmart, lol. i have been doing a lot of research and i decided that i want to buy an rc car. im posting it here because i am leaning towards the nitro side of it. i know its more maintainance, but i can live with that, what i am really after is the S P E E D!!! i was originally thinking of getting a T maxx or S maxx and upgrading it a bit(2 spd and 4wd modules) but now im leaning toward on-road nitro touring cars. they seem to be very popular and competitive. plus i have a friend that has one(it just needs tuned up... quite a bit) so we could possibly race. i dont really have any money now, but since summer is coming around ill be mowing lawns and will look for a job someplace if anyone will hire a 14yr old. i want to TRY and keep EVERYTHING i have to buy (car itself, maybe radio, ESC, servos, etc) under $400. i will mostly be racing up and down my street when i first get it or driving around the newly paved walmart parkinglot. my street isnt really bumpy, but it has its rough spots... i have quite a few rc tracks around me so i was hoping to hop a car up to competition standards whenever i feel ready. here are the things i was looking at, im open to more suggestions if possible. what i dont mind building the car myself, id actually prefer that, but the assembly required kits tend to cost more after a decent radio and stuff...

Yokomo GT4 Nitro 4wd RTR

Team Associated NTC3 4wd RTR

CEN TR4 4wd RTR

i'll appreciate any input possible. the main things i want to know is a) how fast do they go, i know manufacturer's specs are off sometimes, b) what do i have to do to make the race-legal, and c) can it survive riding around on the street, i know it isnt usually "recommended" because of cars, but will small pebbles and stuff mess it up? thanks a bunch.


Tony