I would say run with a1/14 tamiya QD, plenty cheap boxed ones kicking about, I have a wealth of spares, gear bags servo savers etc, all available still, and with some 2500 nimh AAs the runtime is amazing, plus if you drop the gear selector on the gearbox, you can make them quite controllable speed wise, and limit the top end of the throttle.
For about £30 you could have a real nice looking one small enough for the graden but will cope with grass
You can even go MT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tamiya-1-14-Ra...QQcmdZViewItem
I've got one of these and with a good 9.6v nimh its quick and stable.
Plus there are Kyosho FA 1/14 if you prefer not to go Tamiya, these Sammo bombers steer as well as anything I own
