ok nitro cars aren't a pain unles your a very bad drive and crash it alot. but if you don't a nitro car isn't that bad to have. but you need mo0re time for it. break-in . and buying nitro and AA battery eater other than that you get a fast car .mostly faster than any rtr electric car i think. the engine is depended on how you break-in your car . if you break in your car on the instruction you would be fine but if you do it by your self and with no friend who has 1. it will be hard. go to yourlhs local hobby shop and ask questions alot. then if you have trouble get the nitro engine dvd.teaches you how to do many things with the engine and your car. i have 1 and its really helpful. done with that.
ntc3 is a very very good car. but now most cars have electric start which the ntc3 doesn't have. and most people said its better but not me . no more blisters but some think its more helpful and sumtims it is. i have a ld3 2 spd powerstart for a great price and its great. most engines last about a good 2 and a half to 3 and a half gallons of nitro. no matter how good you treat your engine.