Not sure if i'm taking that the wrong way and if so i apoligize. First and foremost this is the Clod forum we are posting in. 2nd there is no question in my mind that a independent m/t can dominate these on any terrain. I do speak out of experience, i own a smartly modded t-maxx that i use to race about 7 years ago. That class died and i wish that it still existed. Just last summer i converted it to a E-maxx cause i got tired of the mess of nitro and im sure my neighbors were tired of me driving my truck up and down the street and hitting my launch ramp. It is great now that you can buy 6000mah Chinese hardcase lipo's for about 35 bucks a piece shipped to your door. Its a little slower than it was but its 100% stock electronics and waterproof. If i ever go brushless i have no doubts it would be extremely fast. A brushless E-Revo has been on my wanted list since they came out. I always like Savages especially befor the 3.3 T-maxx came out. I guess if you are giving advice to a total noob you are probly rite that a Clod based truck wouldnt be the best for hardcore bashing. 3rd thing as far as cost build up even a moderate 1/8th scale buggy or truggy, elect or nitro, then go racing and tell me how cheap that is and there is a ton of those guys out there. 4rth the carbon fiber chassis choice for Clods. I am close to a noob on Clods. I bought my truck used and i looked at another guys truck with a ESP IV alum chassis. Maybe a nicer truck than the one i bought but very heavy compared to the truck with the Thundertech Ripper chassis. So since durability is already an issue with these doesnt it make sence to make it as light as possible??? Also a little flex verses flat out bending. Learned that with my T-Maxx and the nice looking machined parts that ended up being a waste. Finally as far as some popular vehicles people run and others say why. Example is one of the biggest classes at any track is Stock Slash. Can it hold a candle to a Assoc, Losi, Hpi, etc SC truck on a track. No but you show me a more competive class. At my track i think all the guys that race mod sc and even both buggy classes race in the stock Slash. Its the biggest class and not because they are all new to racing. Extremely competetive! Mini Coopers are getting that way and to me they look like some of the poorest handling things ive seen but i kind of think thats the point. Anyways i'm sorry if i took things the wrong way but when we give such strong opinions on stuff this is what happens.