i have no electric experience, all nitro and baja, but I think people get too hung up on the tuning. I've never had to spend more than 5 minutes tuning for the day. Watch some videos on youtube and read a few articles, and be patient. I don't race so I tend to run everything on the slightly rich side, but there is still plenty of power. Check for smoke on the top end a pinch test the lsn and have fun!!! 90% of the time I can run the car/truck without tuning it from the last time.

Depending on budget, i'd recommend a savage first (not the xl) 25 or 4.6 or the losi xxl.