"although rc-ing is really fun i find it to be a bottomless money pit"
All to common phrase im afraid. But totally avoidable if you make your purchases smart. I bought my m18 to race and nothing else( i never bash, i just dont find it fun) Our club runs a stock class(5cells stock motors and rubber tires. I have spent very little on this class.
-chassis
-servo
-body mazda 6 picture
-hpi carpet rubber tires(kit tires are useless)
-alloy motor mount(for heat reduction)
-awaiting motor heat sink
-radio gear(3pk and v12)Gear i already had from other cars
-have yet to break any parts but since we run stock the cars dont get abused like they do with mod and big block motors, stock is perfect for this scale of car
-3 xray motors now use hpi motors they take the heat better, heat sink will eliminate further heat issues
-CND FUNDS AS WELL