[imported_Dukk]

Jeptik - I just returned to the hobby also. Back in the day our club was full of Ninjas, Samurai's, Hunters, lol. My brother had a Hunter that we adapted to full independent suspension

Like you, I had an old ride lying around, a Losi XT that I considered getting back into form but parts availability made me decide to just get new.

I got back in by buying a SavageX for hardcore bashing. When the 'maybe I would like to race again' voice came back I too looked long and hard at the Traxxas VXL stuff (Rustler) but in the end I picked an RC10 T4 (not even here yet). Yes it will cost me more in the end but it will deliver more in the end too.

A ride that can do double duty as a basher and occasional racer may be the HPI e-Firestorm. I am looking at one of those right now too - $200 RTR on ebay shipped is pretty attractive and I figure I won't have to beat the heck out of my T4 tooling around with the kids..

[imported_jeptik]

Dukk, any specific reason/s why you chose the RC10 T4 over the Traxxas VXL's?? I will certainly take a look at the HPI Firestorm....thanks.

[imported_Dukk]

Well honestly I was hanging around on the Traxxas forum and one member started a big kaffuffle by stating how regardless of what one does to a Rustler for upgrades, a stock T4 will still be more competitive. Nobody contested it - many got upset that he appeared to be slagging the Rustler on Traxxas' own forum but nobody argued that, as a racer, the T4 is superior.

As for why the T4 over Losi - that was a hard one for me. I've been a Losi fan for a long time. I checked with my local hobby shop though and they relayed that Losi parts can be harder to come by. Also, in my area it appears that way more people run Associated.

I still really like the Rustler, and Traxxas makes a great sturdy product for good pricing. For the little bit more the T4 will cost me in the end thougn, I decided it is well worth it.

[Narly1]

The Losi XXXT and Associated T4 are the two current models that are competitive in the 2WD Stadium Truck class. At the track I run at (Sid's Raceway), they are the most common.

Mixed in with these are older versions of these two trucks (I myself am running the RC10T3 which is the previous version of the Associated) plus the odd Duratrax Evader.

They also happen to be the two models easiest to find parts for, I would say the Associated being slightly better in that regard.

As for which one is better, it comes down to a Ford vs Chevy kind of debate. Both are good. It comes down to personal choice. One piece of advice though: if you can, try driving both and see which one best suits you.

Narly1