In the passed I have dabbled with RC, I always wanted a Nitro truck for bashing but never had the time to look into it, well I have the time. I do however have a limited budget, I would like to spend in the the range of $400 US. Please point me in the right direction, I have no interest in racing, just something to crash and bash about, fix (Not to often) and do it all over again. I am looking at a Savage RTR kit or maybe a Traxxas? HELLLLP. I am going in circles.

Looking at maybe the following :
Team-Associated-Monster-GT-460-SE-1-8-Scale-RTR-Monster-Truck
HPI-1-8-Savage-X-SS-Monster-Truck-Kit-w-46-Engine
Losi-Aftershock-Limited-Edition-RTR-Monster-Truck-w-M26SS-Spektrum-24GHz-Radio
Losi 1/8 Raminator Monster Truck
Traxxas Nitro Stampede RTR Monster Truck w/Easy Start Batteries & Charger
Traxxas T-Maxx 3.3 4wd RTR Nitro Monster Truck (Forward Only) Battery, Charger w/2.4Ghz Radio

The Savage X SS gets my vote

You say you have the time to look into it, look into it then. Go out and figure out what you want....

Although not in your price range, Losi XXL. Maybe a decent XXL roller from ebay?

The Savage is definitely tough, and quick.

The Maxx will be an arguably better vehicle (Keyword: Arguably!) once it's had a couple of it's weakpoints upgraded (Plastic Rear Diff Case and Skidplates, I'm looking at you!)

For Nitro, I think a bunch of folks have complained about the older TRX engines, but I've been out of Nitro for a long time, not sure there.

Depends on what you want out of the thing, ultimately. There are bombproof Savages and T-Maxx's, and they both take about the same amount of money to get to that point.

What you should ultimately do, is go to your LHS and see what they carry more of, because when you break something, that's what matters. If they carry more HPI then Traxxas, go Savage. More Traxxas? Go Maxx.

PERSONALLY, I'd get the Maxx, but I enjoy the tinkering. Nuke-proof once you get the fiddly bugs worked out.

Thanks for the input. Yes got_nitro I will be reading and researching, however I was always under the impression that a forum is actually about discussing, questioning and sharing information about a particular topic. So looks like the Maxx or Savage.

Savage 4.6 RTR over anything from Traxxas any day.

The Losi XXL is the best IMO. Check out www.overdriverc.com for good prices.. He was selling them at one point for under $600.. It's more than your budget, but it really is worth it. Spektrum radio, good LRP Spec 3-twin engine, bit, tough, very, very fast, great handling, etc..

The Savage X sounds about like what you're looking for though. The Losi XXL is just a more advanced, more complete package..

I vote savage. Big block rules with better engine choices. My tmaxx sits on a shelf!!

Just Ordered the HPI-1-8-Savage-X-SS-Monster.

could of tried craiglist for the XL

i would have gotten the 2011 savage x rtr, it has bulletproof diffs, a better engine, and a few other upgrades.

Should have went brushless