Need Advice on...

[bertberr]

...well, a few things actually. I want to get back into RC cars again after a 20 year break, partly because I really enjoyed building and driving my three cars back in the 80's (Cheetah, Frog & Hornet) but also because I think my little lad would enjoy playing with them too...or so I tell my wife (he's 2).

OK, so I want a 1/10th scale 2wd buggy for thrashing around the garden, up the road, over homemade jumps etc etc, but... with the proviso that it's a good enough base to make a few upgrades to should the bug really take hold. This rules out a re-released Frog/Hornet because lets face it they were hardly state of the art in the 80's, so I've narrowed it down to either an Ansmann Mad Rat or Tamiya Desert Gator. I know the Gator is a little more expensive even after you've splashed out for the ESC on the Rat, but they're pretty close (I've seen a Gator kit for £80 online).

Questions:
1. Mad Rat or Desert Gator - any first hand experiences?
2. Lipo or NiMh? Lipo worth the extra expense (battery & charger), remember I'm not planning on going racing...yet...???
3. I want to save a bit of cash by using my old Ko Propo radio gear, servo and receiver, but I'm unsure if they'd be compatible with an ESC equipped car? I've heard that I won't need the 4xbattery pack in the car as the 7.2v battery supplies both receiver & ESC - is this correct? If so will my old Ko Propo receiver be OK? I know I could get a new Acoms Techniplus for £35 or so, but if I can make use of the old radio gear I'd be happier, and its £35 towards the first upgrades...
4. Chargers - can I use my old tamiya branded trickle & 15min fast charger should I decide to go the NiMh route? Or will I need a new charger?

Thanks
BB