Personally, I would never buy a traxxas. They're like a really strange nitch between a hobby grade and toy grade but fanboys love them.

I've worked on a few for people and hated every minute of it. They're over-engineered, needlessly complicated.

As for those engines, what I've read more times than I can count, those engines throw rods. Traxxas owners have said there's nothing you can do to prevent it. It just happens.

I know you are trying to decide between those two but I would like to suggest another brand that's well worth your money - Losi.

At least Losi is trying to please someone somewhere.