I,ve been in rc since 85 and have had most every brand but have been out for about a year and looking for a new vehicle. i started with a blackfoot many moons ago and had a savage , mgt , evader, axial dingo , older stampede my 5yr old runs. I sold the dingo over a yr ago and want a basher, mostly yard bashing. I won't be racing, no time. I had a slash when they first came out but sold it, I can't remember why. Anyway my choices are in many different directions but allhave the same goal. !st price range - under $400 2nd I'm not a super basher or speed freak( I do have a 5' step up in my yard and thats about all the jumping I will do) 3 brushless - while not required but able to upgrade. My choices are savage xs but would prefer something a little bigger . an associated prolite 4x4 (but I would put larger tires and higher ground clearence) I know its a short course but its brushless and 4wd. an axial ridgecrest converted to a more traditional monster truck and unlocked diffs. or an axial exo terra buggy. I know its a broad spectrum of vehicles but its what I like . Any pros or cons on my choices will def help. If you know any vids that will help make my decision or pics even. thanks again and if you made it through this entire dialogue then you deserve a gold star. Thanks. Brian

I haven' owned one but Iv'e heard alot of bad things about the savage xs, Mainly really weak diffs.

As long as you considered a Ridgecrest, what about a Wraith? It's slightly larger in every dimension and uses 2.2 crawler tires which are taller than short course tires. My brother has a Wraith and I have an EXO and a SCX10 Dingo. His truck can jump a little bit but if you want more speed and better handling then you would be better off with a vehicle that has independent suspension.

The wraith is a hundred bucks more and i dont need the scale look. They both run 2.2 ripsaw tires but the wraith is an inch longer. Still not sure the direction I want to go. I wont be jumping very high, just a few feet.

The Savage XS is best in my opinion. You beat the crap out of it and it'll drive away from any crash. </p>