I believe the above mentioned belt cars are all the same in performance... If you want the next best thing wait for the AWESOMATIX to come out!!! It's the evolution of the shaft cars, and it has beaten everybody else in Prostock by miles in Russia and Finland against Xray T2s, tamiya416w etc... !!! All I own now are TC4s and I would not give them up for any these aforementioned TCs. I actually am surprised that Team Associated gave up their shaft designs for the TC5: they should have stuck to the TC3 that put them up there. DIGGITY DESIGNS just came out with their tc4 upgrade, the XLR8 version2 for only $165 that could probably put a spanking on all the belt contenders, without having to worry about drivetrain maintenance, and all the hassle that come with running belts. SHAFT IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO GO!!!!!!!