I want to buy a fun little 1/16 or 1/18 RC truck or buggy, but just can't decide which. Done a bit of searching, and watching youtube videos, but didn't find many direct comparisons.

Can anyone who has used more than one comment on their preference, and the pros and cons of each? Out of the box performance, as well as availability/affordability of parts are the 2 most important aspects.

The contenders
1. Hobbyking 1/16 Buggy
2. Hobbyking 1/16 Short Course Truck
3. Hobbyking 1/18 Stadium Truck
4. Hobbyking 1/16 Beetle (personally don't like beetles, and wouldn't buy this myself, but deserves a place in the comparison)
5. Any other 1/18 or 1/16 electric from somewhere else that is within the same price range ($60-$80 shipped)

I bought a pair of these for my kids for Christmas.
http://www.alptechusa.com/category.php?id=12

The Monster truck, and Truggy,
The truggies tires hook up better in short yard, but the Monster truck does better in the rough.
They run about 25mph on the included 2s.
I have a small 3s that I've used a little on one too.
I had an issue with the monster truck killing a servo because the servo saver was
was adjusted to tight and I didn't catch it.
I called the importer and no problem he send me out all the parts I needed no charge.

The parts either come from Miami or LA.
2.4ghz controler is a nice touch too.
I thought about the HK Beetle and such but after reading many threads of stripped
gears I decided to pass.

I have 2 of the HK stadium 1/18 trucks lots of fun but to delicate and getting parts is problematic

I also have 2 of the Buggies and they are way better in durablity, the parts are just better and can take some grass +1 for the buggie

I got two of each for my duaghter and I. She loves them `

i have two of the hk (turnigy) 1/16 buggies and i love them, i converted one to a monster truck (everything is the same as the monster beatle but with a monster truck body). changing the spur gear can be a little painful but it shouldnt strip unless you're driving in pebbles. packed dirt, grass or road should be fine. i would suggest ordering all of the spares (not that they arent durable because they really are) just incase. the 1/16 buggy and monster truck use the same chassis which is a much better platform than the rest of the hk 1/18 and 1/16 cars. the buggy handles much better but the monster beatle bashes better and can be used on road with the mt tires not being knobbley. if you wanted a fun packed- go anywhere basher you should get the monster beatle, if you want a great little racing buggy that you can race with your friends in the yard with then the buggy is for you. you cant go wrong either way

Go with the HK 1/16 monster beatle. I have 1 for a while now and hadnt broken any thing yet. The other thing is to save up a few more bucks and buy a good NAME brand secondhand and maybe a 1/10 scale too.
Good luck!

Just got the buggy a few days ago. Its pretty sweet but the spur gear strips really easily, mine striped on the 3rd run. Just make sure the pinion and spur gears are meshed well and buy a few extra spur gears.

Here's a couple of videos of my buggy in action:

http://youtu.be/zu_GQl-5RQI

http://youtu.be/jFBa80ZL1bs