I can't really speak for your experience . . . however, I own an EPede, I have a friend with a TMaxx. We hooked up twice with the express purpose of bashing around. Both times he's been unable due to some problem or another.
Talking to the folks on the Traxxas boards, it would seem many people have both the EPede and the EMaxx . . . those that do, say that their Pede is generally the least likely to break down.
While the Maxx certainly gets more aftermarket attention, the Pede is definitely not ignored. Carbon Fiber chassis, brass tubing roll cages, all parts available in various color schemes of either plastic or aluminum . . . and so and so forth.