i went with the NiMh batteries because of price. ~$57 compared to ~$109. i purchased a tmax nitro, a slash 4x4 electric and now a rc10b4.1 electric (on order should arrive by monday) all rtr. once i get some knowledge of the hobby i plan on building one up from a kit. currently all i know of kits & parts is cost. i don't know the difference yet between quality and just expensive. that is why i am going with Ready To Race (rtr). i can just unbox it and go. have some fun while learning about the different components. because when it's all said and done it's all about fun and kicking up dirt.
as far as kits are concerned:
i started reading threads surrounding kits. what i gather so far is team associated makes a decent kit. they have solid parts and the instruction manuals are clear enough.
kyosho kits are also cited as being good kits. though some questioned the quality of the manuals.
losi kits faired the worst so far. (from what little i've read so far). i will continue to read and to learn. i understand not everything you read on the internet is to be taken as gospel. not even the good stuff. people are saying parts are not machined properly & manuals are insufficient.
on the bright side, all kits are upgradable. i am still unclear what upgrade means. if it means just a shiny blue part that costs $$$$$ or if the part actually makes the car handle better. i don't know the answers yet. i hope to know soon when i get my buggy and start to play. i may, when i decide on at kit, start a thread. i want to chronicle my progress and have a forum to ask questions. the good thing about this RC venue is i can take pictures of what i'm seeing and having problems with and post them for you all. it's easier to get help when there is some reference to go on.
-pdx
i use venom lipo's and only paid $50 for them, a 5000 mah with 20c max burst, a 4000 mah with a 30c max burst, and a 5000 mah with 35c max burst. and I've never had a problem with my venoms, ever!! and that was the price at my local hobby shop, not online.
if you stick with team associated kits(when you are ready to buy one), the factory team kits come stock with a bunch of upgrades, v2 shocks, cva axles, anodized aluminum parts, etc.