uhh id say latrax are kinda toys... sorry for being a jerk, but id say the best beginner truck HAS to be the slash 2wd. its what i got when i was 9. its still kickin today. if i could drive it, anyone could.
the new traxxas BL-2S models can't BE BEAT. id recomend picking one of those up. the slash sounds like it would be perfect.
Edit: i noticed on road.... i still think you should get the slash. it can really be upgraded into anything! rallycar, monstertruck, buggy, streetcar, pretty much anything...