RE: help wanted
for 550 + 30 ship, you could get an HPI Savage SS 25 46 or HELLFIRE, TRAXXAS REVO 3.3, or 2.5 and upgrade to the picco 26 engine.. you could spend about 100 more and get an Team Losi LST2. not that that truck is bad, but you ll have 7-14 day ship time. customs and such as its coming from Austrailla... if you look around you can find some great bargins on the bay too plus coming from teh states means you ll get your truck and fun sooner.
i d look around for a more assessable unit with parts availability.
check your LHS and see what they stock for parts. it may help you decide.
before anyone jumps on one brand bandwagons and starts flinging POOP.. i ll say this, THEY ARE ALL DECENT UNITS. THEY ALL HAVE SOME TYPE OF ISSUE> THEY ALL CAN BE UPGRADED, THEY ALL HAVE POSITIVES> THEY ALL HAVE NITRO MOTORS. which can be a PITA if your not familiar. get one you like. expect to get parts, the only way you ll never need parts is if you shelf it and never use it.... have fun, and get a case of beer for those fustrating time YOU WILL HAVE>. but its worth it, though it can get a bit pricey.
Timmahh