Personally Ive had Traxxas, Associated, HPI, and redcat and I will say from my person experience that my HPI bullet nitro would not stay together to save my life. My traxxas trucks reguardless of what people say will take a beating and beg for more plus part support is at almost every hobby shop. No my redcat wasn't nitro it was a caldera10e...The truck is fun! I loved it but the one thing I hated was the stock rtr tires. they were soooooo stiff there was no movement in the tires what so ever. but replaced them with trenchers and it rocked. only broke the body and I also own 2 other redcats. A 24th scale sumo and a drift epx. The sumo...very frail...the drifter is AMAZING! I love it and for 120 shipped to me I couldn't complain one bit!

Not sure if it helps or not but that's just my personal experience but hey! Welcome to the nitro world!