ultimate hobbies has the duratrax evader, rtr for $79, for the money I don't see how you could beat esp for a 3 year old since most of the chassis parts have a 1 year warranty. Only downfall is I don't think it has bearings, but that could be a good father son project, tear down put bearings in. I have talked a couple guys at work in to picking one up for their sons as a starter.
http://www.ultimatehobbies.com/istar...N%2FA&subsize= This seems like a pretty rockin deal too, for a rtr truck with bearings, alum shocks,
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPORTWERKS-SWK15...4.c0.m14.l1262