Mondo,
I'd like to offer my HONEST opinion of the two cars in an effort to give you a little more information...
As I'm sure DAMZ'er will agree the DTM is overall the best of the two in regard to speed, handling & overall performance. I have installed a stock 180 ABC motor and it improved the speed of mine quite a bit. I'm starting to think about a possible NML custom motor for it now (if he has one). The DTM has to be assembled, you have to buy a radio, speed control and a servo for it before you can run it, if you don't already have any of these installed on other cars or as extra parts for an exsisting R/C car. A total ready to run cost of approx. $180-$200 depending on where you purchase it.
The Rocket Racer is a great entry level kit, kind of slow with the stock motor and 4AAA battery stock setup. But if you add a 7.2 battery pack and maybe a 180 motor, you improve speed quite a bit. You also get an adjustable chassis and handling is not as good with the stock rubber tires but could be improved by adding foams. Kit comes ready to run, just add 8 AA batteries to the "Ming the Merciless" ray gun radio, 4 AAA's to the car and you're ready to race. A great deal for $140 that will get someone started into a fun hobby.
I 'm pretty sure any hop up parts for the DTM will also fit the Rocket Racer, As I understand Dynamite will soon be releasing some hop up parts for their car which may help quite a bit with handling and performance.
As of right now, the DTM is a much better car in my opinion, but you pay more for it. However, as I said earlier the Rocket Racer is a great kit for the money and is even better with a few of the DTM hop ups whick when you buy them it will put you almost at the same cost as the DTM if you start from scratch. Do like DAMZ'er and I both have done... GET BOTH!
hope this helps!
