The DO world really has spec traxxas classes figured out. It's mostly mudboss, but there are other classes that are just the same slash chassis with late model or stock car style bodies.

The advantages of these classes are pretty obvious:

• cost: xl-5 slash with DO body comes out to about $260
• simple, strict rules that prevent cost runaway
• not treated as just a "novice" class - there is talent and competition in the class which means you can grow your skills and compete at a high level without spending the big bucks on something like a CW sprint kit
• car is appropriate, fun to drive for the track

I think mudboss not being just a "novice" class is the key to its popularity. The main problem with spec classes is you buy an expensive (to a newcomer) car that is only worth racing in a spec class, and when you get good enough you're told you can't run the spec class anymore. You either run a wildly uncompetitive car in a "normal" class or you have to buy a whole new rig if you don't want to get your butt kicked. On top of that, there's not enough new drivers entering the hobby to sustain a class you're expected to "grow out of" as you get better - so it just slowly dies by attrition. All the while everyone sits around pondering why spec classes never seem to stick around...

The spec Traxxas class that makes the most sense for off-road would be a spec 2wd slash class that races on 1/10 tracks. $240 for a BL-2s slash that drives well enough on typical 1/10 tracks to still be fun.

Although, IMO, a 3s typhon would be the best overall choice for an offroad spec class. It ticks off all those points I listed above about the mudboss DO classes, with the versatility of being a fun to drive spec class on both 1/10 (on 2s) and 1/8 (on 3s) tracks. And the price is hard to beat at $330 for a powerful, versatile 4wd car.

In comparison, the Jato 4x4 falls flat: the 2s version is a complete non-starter for 1/8 tracks. Who want to roll/single every jump? So you're left with running it on 1/10 tracks where it's a significantly more expensive option than what has already proven to be a successful 1/10 spec class in the past. On top of that, the semi-realism offered by SCTs is WAY more appealing to newcomers than the odd looking buggy design. And the 4s Jato is just stupid expensive for any spec car. Why would anyone buy a jato 4s for a spec class when you can just buy the kyosho rtr for close enough to the same price and run in the novice class that already exists? Then you'd have a buggy good enough to use in the regular e-buggy classes when you improve. It's just bonkers anyone would think that making a spec class out of that car would be good for the hobby in any way. And honestly it's bonkers to think none-racers looking to buy a traxxas would pick this car - to me it seems like its easily the worst value in their entire range, and again it doesn't have the realism factor of an SCT or the bashability of a monster truck.

And thinking about things even more, buggies have always existed as the "cheap" option in a bashing product portfolio. The bandit has always been the cheapest 2wd. The typhon (3s and 6s) has always been the cheapest option in each of their respective platforms. The jato bl-2s makes more sense as the cheapest 4wd bl-2s car, not the most expensive.