[scottg]

If the plastic driveshafts are worrying you about the mi4lp race edition, then buy the kit and upgrade the driveshafts. its still inside your budget and you get a lot of car for the money.

I'd choose that option over any of your other "budget" racers anyday. It's a current spec drivetrain, suspension geometry, chassis layout, lipo friendly, easy to get parts for, and simple upgrade path to the full Pro spec.

It's an easy choice.