BL I mean BrushLess
As for brushed motors breaking... depends most times they break are when they are geared to the limits (like in traxxas vehicles where they die a quick death). My nephews RC's are over 2 years old, brushed, and still run fine. I also have some in a few of my RC's and they work well with no issues.
Guess if you want to stay HPI then the Spirit is light years better then the only other on-road HPI sells which is the E10 (you would have more fun just starting the cash on fire, and it would last longer its so bad)
BTW I corrected the post I read the wrong price on that site saw the white $499 when I originally wrote it then when I looked closer I noticed the dark blue price.