If your're not looking to race and want something to use on walks and stuff, have you looked at the Axial range of scale trailers and rock crawlers?
You can get both RTR or kits to build (best option as it sounds like you want something to build in your downtime).
I got back into RC and racing after getting an Axial SCX10 dingo kit to use with my toddler when we go for walks. I was itching to build a kit and looked long and hard at the Axial range, before settling on the SCX10 Dingo builders kit, which looks like a landrover:
http://www.axialracing.com/ftp/scx10_dingo/index.html
It's a good build and great fun trailing and rock crawling. The baby loves it when we go for walks. A 5000 mAh lipo lasts for over 1.5 hours of running time, which is plenty!
Other suggestions might be the axial Wraith with is designed to run a bit faster, or the Exo which is a super fast but looks ace.
http://www.axialracing.com/ftp/chassis_selection.html
Take a look at the trail videos on RC sparks:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL80393AB74AE9528F
there are loads of trailing and rock crawling videos on there, and axial build videos on youtube.
As a result of getting that I then got myself back into racing after buying kit that I knew could be used, chargers, radio gear, batteries, etc etc ;-)
I'm now about to buy my 3rd new car in a few months :-)