Your question is cheaper? Then your answer is RTR. Cheaper in the long run, getting the model just right. Then your answer is to part out and get what you want.

Years ago or so. My wife, bless her heart, got me a Jammin CRT (RTR version) for fathers day. But with all the parts and hopups i wanted, it would have been cheaper to buy the kit, engine, etc etc... The only plus to going the "RTR then upgrade as you go" path, is that you get to keep your stock parts. So repairs are faster, so you can wait for the replacement parts to come in or be ordered and not be out of a running truck.

My .02