They are all different. Personally I like the D90 the best. I have been running it stock and don't think any mod is needed. Plus everything is metal :) However, the Ascender does out perform the D90. I did get the Ascender with mods already. I believe OSRC shortened the axles. The Sawback comes with leaf springs and internal spring shocks. It drives different than the other two. My son likes the Sawback more than the other two. My 6-year old daughter drives the Ascender and able to keep up with her brother with the Sawback.

Hey 4roller,
you said MSTs can run Tamiya CC-01 bodies?
I'm pretty sure that the MST and the ECX Barrage are the same car with different bodies and tires.
So that means I can run a Barrage with a CC-01 body?
AWESOME!
I don't particularly like the look of the beige body that's on there, but it's only $180, so I can't complain much.
So then my decision is Barrage.
I should be buying it in about a month.
thanks for that little tidbit of info :)

The mst cmx and ECX barrage are absolutely not the same. I believe this is the oem for the barrage
http://www.rgt-racing.com/cn_asp/productshow.asp?id=1114

They're an OK truck for the money, but only take a little 380 sized motor. The mst cmx/cfx is hands down a superior vehicle in every way.

Oh. Oops :)
My only concern about the MST is parts support.
Barrage has parts easily accessible on Horizon, and it's like $90 cheaper. With a standard size servo, I bet the ECX crawls just fine.

EDIT: They're also available in hobbyshops.

What I would also do to the ECX is get some white RC4WD 1.55" steelies, zip them on, lower the ride height, and take out the travel limiters. That would look 1000 times better than the original IMO.

If it were me, the decision would be simple: mst hands down. Its a quality vehicle made by a reputable manufacturer. The ecx is just a no name rebrand.

Is it a full-size 1/10 scale?

Its more proper 1/10 scale, like a cc01. Thats why you can buy them with cc01 bodies included.

If you want an mst that is the same size as an scx10 or ascender, then thats the mst cfx-w, but then I would recommend then you save a bit more and get an scx10 II or ascender.

After combining the price of a new SCX10 II kit on Tower Hobbies with the cheapest stuff I could get.

Kit = $350
Receiver (for use with my Futaba 3pv) = $38
Motor = $12
Esc = $35
Servo (Futaba S3010) = $25

That comes out to $470, and that's more than I'd like to spend.

Plus, that doesn't count paint, which'd be another like $15.

Ascender is $30 cheaper, so $455, but then I'd have to add an SCX10 battery tray (because I only have standard size lipo packs) which is probably like $15 bucks more, so it would come out to be $470 as opposed to $485. Which isn't a whole lot better.

I also forgot to mention the Wraith spawn kit, which all together would be $465 with the same treatment. Plus, I like the look of the wraith and the SCX10 way better than the Vaterra. Just sayin'.

Although... What are your opinions about the Vaterra Twin Hammers?

I got one for my son so he can trail with our group. So far its held up really well to the toggle switch that is his finger lol! Personally I would have rather got an Axial Bomber but I really like the straight axle stuff.

What did you end up getting BillyGoat?