Never had Nitro [&o] well if you want a starter a REVO is not the place to start. Get something like a in expensive buggy and take some small steps up ward. A lot of people try nitro and never make it because of the commitment thats involved in tuning the engine and what have you. I can say XTM because I'm biased but there are many out there like Matrix and a lot of Ofna or what have you. If your looking to race some time wet your feet on a cheap ride. When your at your local track and you can keep up then go to the high line products.1/8 products stand up a lot better than 1/10 or 1/9 products do.