It comes down to how much I want to crash.

For me its as little as possible.

I always do the math.

109 $300
OS 108 $80
rertacts/tires from way back $50
muffler, made it. maybe $15 in scrap alum
spinner backplate, made it $8

total out $453.00 to get flying, so say $500.00

Radio equipment, (JR 9303)I don't count because its the most portable component. , but I saved there too. (Nitroplanes metal gear MG995 servos, $8.00 each in bulk)

I have always tried to stick with my rule of " its not how much you make , but how much you keep". I keep a lot.

99% of these are out of China. Its not "you get what you pay for anymore" for the most part.

Steve