I just couldn't disagree more with the OP. I think you totally get what you pay for in this hobby. Every so often bargains turn up, but in general, the difference is worth it. The difference for example, between an Exceed and a Mugen MBX6 or an Xray XB9 is just a universe apart, and to make the Exceed as good as other of those cars, you'd have to spend more than if you'd just bought a good car in the first place.

Where I will say people are wasting their money is buying top of the line gear for bashing. More power to them, its nice to be able to afford to do that, but at the bash spot, the difference between the cars becomes largely academic and down to who smashes into more/less stuff.