At some point you're going to want to cut the cord with the Bugsta and move on to something faster and stronger, as you say. Might as well be sooner rather than spend more on the Bugsta. Talking from experience with an FTX Carnage.
I've never seen a HoBao I didn't like, they're rock solid. I have a Hyper VS and a Hyper SS. Good price, great cars, little basic maybe but simple is sometimes best. FTX DR8 also looks really good, never driven one but always wanted to.
Once you go 1/8 scale for bashing you won't regret it. The power, durability and how capable the bigger cars are on harsher terrain is next level.