I should have mentioned that both the local tracks here have a stock Slash class, and I'm thinking most tracks do.
And the downside to Losi and Tekno is definitely that they are aimed at gnar-core racers. So "budget" is really out the window with them.
It really depends what you want to do with it. Just a basher, I'd go Traxxas simply for parts availability. If you want to race, I'd buy Tekno or Losi. And Associated for an entry level racer.