no dont steer him towards buying upgraded motors and stuff yet just yet especially if hes a noob first of all learn to drive the car drive the learn to fix the car then get upgrades like motor esc ect.are u gettin a rtr or kit if its an rtr pull it apart then put it back together youll lern alot by doing that.if you think your gonna have trouble remembering how to rebuild it take digital pictures as you go then u can refer to them when your rebuilding.a quick and easy upgrade is deans plugs.