I have the Redcat lightning stk. same car just different body and wheels/tires. I also have 2 Hpi on road sedans. I always grab the Redcat one. I installed an Hpi 1970 boss mustang body, full led light kit, and older Tamiya wheels/tires. Along with a 5000mah 40c 2s lipo. The car is a freakin blast. It's fast enough with the stock motor to get out of control, but its still easy to drift. I love the car and have never broken a single part even when I put rally tires on it and ran it on the track.
However I wouldn't buy a Redcat version. Exceed and hsp sell the exact same thing for a lot less. You can get the brushless pro version from exceed/hsp for the same amount as the Redcat.
I say buy one. I you're looking for one to have fun with in front of the house they are great. Plus they offer all the upgrades that others do with the exception of ball diffs. That's my ONLY complaint.