For the kind of driving you want to do, you will want a moster truck for sure. Check your local hobby shop, and see what they stock parts for.
Stay far far away from smartech no matter how cheap. Seriously it won't last a day without breaking , and when it does your screwed trying to get parts.
Ask for some opionions, or do a search for whch is best theirs ben lots of threads on the subject. The most popular are the
Traxxas T-maxx
www.traxxas.com
HPI savage http://www.hpiracing.com/index2.htm
These you can not only get parts for anywhere, you can buy a TON and I do mean a ton of used parts too(cheap). Go to Ebay. or google and do a search for "t-maxx parts", or t-maxx. Also do a search for
HPI savage, or savage parts. I hear the savage is stronger out of the box.
The savage kit, (needs a radio only) is only $380 at my local hobby shop
the tmaxx at my lhs is around $415 but it is ready to run out of the box.
I saw the savage up close today for the first time. I was completely impressed. I definetaly want one more than I want my maxx.
Other less "popular" monster trucks, but quality just the same (hard to find lots of parts for)
XTM mammoth
Associated monster GT
their may be one or more I havent listed but these are the most popular and easiest to find parts for.
Please for what you are doing do not go with a stadium truck, you won't be satisifed, for what you are wanting to do.
To give you an idea. I have an old version maxx .15 today we set a chair on top of a picnic table, and propped 4x8 sheet of plywood. I'd say maybe 5-6 ft high. We launched off it for about an hour. The ONLY casualty was a shock cap ($5 for four) and my maxx is pretty much stock.
My stadium truck, although quality for what it is, breaks every time I take it out lol. it's just too fast for being so small and is susceptible to tweakage.
Go to this forum's gallery. search for maxx and savage check out some members pics