Hi
ive been out of micro racing for a couple of years now but il help were I can, check out this website for all your micro info
http://www.microrcracer.com/Forum/
the scale thing can be confusing but its more to do with different manufacturers calling them different things,as far as I know, nobody races 1\18th scale anymore as they are smaller than the newer cars...basically there is
losi mini 8... 1\14 th scale (shaft drive)
lc racing emb 1... 1\14th scale (shaft drive)
carisma gtb...1\16th scale (belt drive)....carisma gt14b is the older shaft drive car
its more to do with the dimensions, and that they conform to the national measurements of wheelbase and width
as to whats best...the emb 1 and carisma are close but the carisma wins the most
hope this helps
Rick