If you plan on driving on grass, get a monster truck. As much as I hate them, telling you to drive your buggy on grass would pretty much be a waste of time and money. They sit too low, and have too small of tires. If you avoid driving on the lawn, and stick to dirt, then I would say get a buggy.

With a $600.00 budget, I would recommend:

-OFNA Ravager = 343.00 on ebay (car is easily upgradable, and so much parts availability, you can upgrade to pro kit off of e-bay as needed)

- Hitec 645mg = 34.00 on ebay (good servo for money, to replace lousy stock one)

-Dubro Pit Caddy = 30.00 (comes with 850 cc fuel bottle, jetting screwdriver, glow plug wrench, engine stopper)

-Byrons 30% race fuel 28.00/gallon @ any hobby store (I have tried Blue Thunder, and Odonnel, and found the best results with this fuel for the above engine).

-Venom 2400mah NIMH AA batteries (8) 20.00 at tower (for transmitter, highest mah rating out right now it seems, and one of the cheapest)

-OFNA 6 volt receiver pack 9.00 ebay (don't mess with AA's for your receiver, this will only lead to a low voltage condition and a runaway)

-MRC 977 Super Brain 99.00 on ebay (plug in peak charger that charges 2 batteries at once, can charge/discharge almost ANY battery type used with nitro cars, including 12 volt starter box batteries).

-OFNA PCR temp. gauge 33.00 on ebay (fits in top of engine, so you don't have to worry about lining it up, easy to read display)

-OFNA micro failsafe 17.00 on ebay (Keep your car from going out of control, with loss of reception)

This comes to $617.00. But gives you all necessary running gear. Two things I would highly suggest adding to the package up front however:

-OFNA Chrome top starter box #10250 = 80.00 ebay (12 volt motor, room for a dry cell)

-12 volt 7ah battery = 20.00 at tower (for starter box)

For $717.00, you can have a starter box too. This is crucial if you are new to nitro. Yanking on a pullstart every time the engine dies due to improper tuning is sure to make just about anyone give up the hobby.