Even when I had been racing for 3 years, I tried a MP5 buggy, and it was too advanced for what I knew, built it like ass, the gear gaps binded, diff's leaked, dogbones would fall out, it was a nightmare. I stick to my statement that they are too advanced for someone just getting into the hobby, 1/8 scale cars are the most adjustable cars out there. I would say a XXXNT RTR, or RC10GT RTR would be a much better choice, plus parts avalibility at most places is much better on a 1/10 than 1/8. Dont get me wrong, 1/8 is my favorite class now, but it took 9 years in the hobby to get me where I am, and know what I know. They are extremely fast, and when you are goin that fast, that curb comes up before you have time to swerve away from it.