Hyper 8.5 and Hyper ST...
Pound for Pound, the best bangs for your buck. Parts all over ebay dirt cheap.
Hyper ST was winning major races as a freakin' RTR for goodness sakes! Pro version didn't get released until a few months later.
Hyper 8.5 - If it's good enough to win a Euro Worlds Title this year, then it probably ain't half bad, ya think?!
On top of all this, it feels good to beat a herd of Losi's or the lastest 'car du jour' with my Hyper 8.5...
GET WHAT APPEALS TO YOU, and whatever you get, drive the wheels off it and have fun!
Good luck!