I know someone who is selling a Hitec flash 4 pro car its got a whole host of tweaky things, EPA, Exponetial, and cureve mixing multi model memory etc probobly only want about £35-40. Its £119 new and yes its stick type. it should workwith your reciver and xtals as well. you could maybe borrow it to see what you think.
http://www.nitro-models.co.uk/product.asp?product=20
Col.