I looked on eBay and a few people are selling Brushed RTR E-Revo's for $405 shipped. That seams like the best path because I could run it brushed and get a few upgrades and then when I'm ready for BL I could sell the EVX2 and put that toward a BL system.

You made a choice on the rc you want yet? Or is it still the Erevo?

Honestly I have no idea anymore...

Trust me. You are almost 100% where I was. :yes:

Maybe you should narrow down one car of every "type" that you'd want.

Buggy - Hyper 7?
Truggy - TTST-1?
MT - Savage, E-maxx, (could the e-revo be considered a MT?)
Smaller scale - BL mini E-revo, Rustler FLM (the idea we talked about)?

Hmmm ok let's see...
Buggy - Hyper 7
Truggy - TT ST1
MT - Revo (prob not savage)
Smaller - Hyper STe

The ones that are most likely are the Hyper 7 and the Hyper STe.

Buggy
Pros:
Super durable
Bodies and tires are cheap
Ground clearance (compared to the Hyper STe)
Best handeling

Cons:
More expensive
Stronger ESC needed
Stronger Motor needed
At least a 4s battery
$299 for the rtr

Hyper STe
Pros:
Looks
Price
Only need 3s or even a 2s
Can use a MM
Motor will be cheaper
BL ready out of the box

Cons:
Not as durable (not so bad because it could still be durable enough)
Less off road capable
Tires are more $$$

That is all I can think if right now... I'm really leaning toward the Hyper STe but I'm sure I'll chane my mind again...

Keep in mind the ste uses 1/10 truck tires. So the buggy tires are only a couple bux more.
Based on your list, I would say the buggy is the better performer. Even though handling is questionable and so is ground clearance (unless you already looked that up)

If you do decide to go with the less durable truck (which is debatable also), be sure it is durable enough. I have seen how you bash your trucks; pretty hard. And remember, when you are constantly breaking a part on the ste (if that were to happen), you wont have FLM or RPM to go to. I don't know too much about the Ste, but I know a lot of buggy owners that have only broke their car a couple of times. Most of which were from crashes into curbs, trash cans, etc.

Most of that is just What-if's, but all good points that should be considered. Keep in mind, i am not speaking for the StE's durability, because i wouldn't know.