Hi Steve
My advise for starting racing is always a used Associated B4.
2WD is cheaper to get into initially and running costs a bit lower so if you decide buggy racing is not for you will not have spent as much.
The B4 is fairly bullet-proof and almost anyone who has raced for a few years will have raced one at some point so getting help in getting it set up will be simple and there is usually someone to borrow a spare part from. You should be able to pick a decent rolling chassis up for around £70-£80.
If you have a little more to spend a B4.1 is a better car all but you are probably not going to notice the difference with your first car. I'd avoid the new Losi 22 second hand at the moment as they are still very new so no bargains out there. Schumacher Cougar is a great car (think it just won the first national??) but I do not personally think it is quite as robust as a B4.
Basically get a B4!!!! No, I am not trying to sell one
Best bet would be to pop down on Sunday and a have a chat. I'll be there (pitting out of a silver fiat people carrier
) so come and have a chat and have a look at the cars.
Cheers
Rob