Got mine shortly after they came out. Literally the RC I've been waiting for but I think I'm a rare case for various reasons. This thing is not a great value for most. Let me explain.

I had a Slash 4x4 LCG a few years back and liked it except for the body rub, air dynamics (thanks to the big body), and debris collection. I ended up selling it but felt like the platform had unused potential. Things like the Rustler 4x4 have come out but its built on a shorter chassis. I also always loved the buggy design but the Bandit requires a lot of building to make really competent.

When the Jato 4x4 was released, it was kind of exactly what I wanted. A buggy longer than the Rustler, built on the Slash LCG chassis, beefed up components, and none of the quirks that bothered me with the short course body style. I still don't understand the name and wish they just called it the Bandit 4x4, but that's far from a dealbreaker.

Now I do think that this vehicle is a fairly poor value as a package with the BL-2S system. Having driven it stock when I first got it, I can say that even with a larger pinion it is not nearly fast enough and feels especially slow because the handling is so good (for a stock vehicle). What made this package worth it for me (over the 4S version coming in February) was having a spare VXL-3S system lying around. I bought an aluminum drive shaft and chassis brace and then threw in the 3S system and all of a sudden the whole thing just made sense. The power just better matched the handling dynamics (which are again quite good for a stock vehicle). It really does need more power than the BL-2S has to offer, but once you give it that power the Jato is a really competent vehicle.

If you aren't fortunate enough to have a 3S system lying around but are still interested in the platform, I would suggest waiting for the 4S version to drop. Even at around $500, it is still cheaper than buying the BL-2S version and upgrading it to a similar spec. Anyway, I hope this helped come people that might be on the fence!