I know this is an old thread, but for information sake the best thing to do is start with a major brand like Traxxas, HPI, Associated, Kyosho, etc. Getting a nitro for you first hobby grade RC is not a bad idea. I started on electric, but several friends of mine started on nitro with no real issues. Don't be intimidated by it, it just takes patience to tune them properly. If you don't have patience, then this is not the hobby for you no matter if you buy electric or nitro. Aside from that, its essentially the same as an electric. They both have problems that can arise and will both require some maintenance. The tuning is really the only major difference. If you want nitro, then buy nitro. If you don't care, then I'd say go electric. The cost ends up being about the same initially as you need batteries and a decent peak charger to start with. Most electrics now days come with a battery and a wall charger, but they take forever to charge and you will want more than one battery unless you like to sit and watch batteries charge between runs.

The only important thing for a first truck in my opinion is to buy a major brand, and buy something smaller and simple like a stadium truck. Two wheel drive only is preferable as it cuts down on the number of parts in the truck that can break and is generally much easier to take apart than a 4x4 monster truck or buggy. Stadium trucks are also very light, making them more nimble and forgiving in the handling department and they take hits better when you run into things as compared to say an HPI Savage or Trassas Maxx truck. The truck's weight alone adds so much momentum, a 20 mph crash into a fence post on a stock T Maxx will lead to breakage almost definitely, but a Nitro Rustler at the same speed has a better chance of driving away un harmed.

I'd recommend a Traxxas Nitro Sport for a cheaper starter nitro, a Traxxas Nitro Rustler or Traxxas Nitro Stampede for the more expensive options. An HPI Firestorm 10t, or HPI Bullet ST would be good options too, but I'd go with Traxxas personally for the parts availability. For a cheaper electric from Traxxas there is the Bandit, Rustler, Slash, and Stampede. Higher priced Traxxas options are the brushless VXL versions of those trucks except for the Bandit. From HPI there is the E Firestorm 10t Flux and the Bullet ST Flux, and the Blitz.