What Vehicle to Choose?
I would go for the VXL Rustler, or the Slash, but keep in mind, a brushless set-up is at least $150, if you wanted to convert later down the line. Can't really go wrong, and there are tons of replacement parts, and every hobby shop I know of carries a ton of Traxxas parts.
Chargers
Onyx 230, LiPo (Lithium Polymer) capable, and charge A123 Lithium Ferrite batteries, NiMh and NiCd.
Batteries
Go LiPo if you can afford it, SMC makes excellent batteries, $65 for a 4100 mAh one. Can recharge LiPo's all day long, and will last for years if you treat them right. And I have seen 1 battery, forgot who makes it, that has 12,000 mAh.
Of course it is $300 and unnecessary, but 70-minute run-times are always good.