Honestly i have never owned or raced anyhting you mentioned, except a mini-z....
I own a Mini-X that i bought from tinyrc.com...by far this thing is the best car in any size i have ever bought. it is 4wd making slippery hard wood floors fun and carpet easy. it has independant suspension and is fast with the stock 5 cell battery, but the 6 cell battery is even better! you are looking to spend $95 for the RTR version and all you need is a controller...and tiny has a good controller if you need one!
By the way my friends modified (like $200 plus the $150 stock) can just BARELY beat me in a race and my mini-x is stock to the core, i havent even raced him with the 6 cell battery! The mini-x and mini-z are close in size.
Between the 2...if you want fast, fun, and durable in the start with no need to mod...get a mini-x. If you want options and ways to spend mad amounts of $$ get the mini-z.
To be the tin racers or the Audleys seem nice...but CHEAP as does the mini rocket racer. (i have never driven or raced one though
).
Good luck!