I would vote for the LSP. I think you can get them fairly competative for not a whole lot of money. Couple of steering mods to get a little more throw, double up or upgrade the ackerman arm, etc. A more rigid chassis is nice, and I would say aluminum arms are just about a must as the plastic ones flex a LOT. I would definitely take an LSP over the mutilator, but if you are serious about racing you would probably be a little better off with a newer truggy. I love my LSP though. (Soon to become LSP's in another day or so.)