ORIGINAL: BigShrimpah
If you want to do any type of real club racing, then a Rustler sure wouldn't be in my list of choices. They just handle like a boat compared to some of the Associated and Losi trucks. They do make excellent bashers though.
I agree. I personally don't own any Traxxas. I am an AE man all the way!!!
However, my friends have them and they are good starter vehicles and work well for bashing or "friendly" racing. They can be made to handle quite well, but it costs you about $350-400 in mods. Where as my 17 year old RC10T has NO mods and still wipes the floor up with most newer vehicles!
If you want to do "real" racing, which I don't think you seem to, then by all means buy an Associated RC10T4!!! If you want a basher that you can have fun with and race you buds, go with a Rustler VXL. The brushed Xl-5 versions aren't good in grass or thick sand really, but with the VXL power that becomes a non-issue.