Stick vs saddle pack batteries

[fredswain]

I have only ever run a stick type of battery and have zero experience with a saddle pack. I know some cars are designed for one or the other but what I am interested in knowing is which type would be preferred if designing from scratch? Let's say we have a rear motor 2wd buggy and the chassis is such that either could be used. Which would be the preferred type to use and why? Aside from any pricing, what would the positives and negatives of each type be?