The Losi XXL is supposed to be awesome, but I haven't seen one in action yet(I've seen the LST2 and it doesn't dissapoint). However, chances are if everyone else is having problems you will too.

This is what I can tell you from EXPERIENCEwith the MGT 8.0. It is plenty fast, has an insane amount of torque, is VERYTOUGH, and is SUPER easy to work on. As in typical AEfashion it's a very well engineered, but straight forward, design. This makes it tough, effective, durable, andVERYEASYto work on. I've yet to see an easier MTto work on than the MGT. I've had a few problems with mine, but all of them were previous owner (or my impatience) difficulties! The tranny is near indestructible! The one, and only thing, that will kill an 8.0 tranny is shifting from forward to reverse, or vice versa, while moving and then putting the power down. If you are smart, and stop before you shift from forward to reverse, you will never break the tranny. The motor is easy to tune, holds a tune, and is easy to start! The handling out of the box is lacking to say the least, but with only a few dollars, and an hour or so of time, you can make it a handling champion!!! You just need to mess with the shock oil viscosity and the spring rates. Easy. I've beat the living crap out of mine and I've only broken two things. Yes, the body mounts tend to break a lot when you cartwheel or flip several times. I've been looking for a cheap and effective ways to remedy this without causing other parts to break and haven't found a way yet. Body mounts are cheap though, so it doesn't really matter. The only other thing I've broke on my 8.0 is the rear bumper brace! I've been driving it for about a month now with the rear bumper brace broken and it dosen't matter!! No matter how hard I land on the rear bumper, without the brace, it holds up and still keeps the truck protected. I'm an AE fanboy, but honestly, it's a GREAT unit!!! If you go with an 8.0 you can't lose.

Hop ups are lacking, but why hop it up when it really dosen't need it? I've heard of issues with the A-arms, and you can buy RPM's, but I've yet to break one.

As for the diffs, I've been lazy and I haven't shimmed mine. This is an issue that is supposed to be MANDATORYif you want them to last. I'm not sure I believe it. I've landed MANY times with the power full on off a jump and not had a problem yet. I'm waiting for mine to give, and when they do I'm going to put GPM diff cases and NOVAdiff cups in it. I've seen TONSof other RC's land the way I do, constantly, and blow their diffs, hasn't happened to the MGT yet!