In my opinion trying to convince someone that they can get into this hobby with a
300.00 RTR kit is way more of a diservice. Serious racers don't look down there noses
at bargain equipment, many of them started the same way and are trying to save you
the frustration of going to the track multiple times and having nothing to show for it but a
bunch of DNFs and spending way more than you thought you ever would.

Heck this guy hasn't even bought his buggy yet, first trip to the LHS will go something
like this.

300.00 for the RTR kit
oops gonna need a RX battery and a decent charger 60.00
Oh yeah a battery for the drill start 40.00
Needs fuel to be fun 35.00
Couple of glow plugs 20.00
Oh your gonna race it, better pick up a decent set of tires 50.00
How do you break it in? temp gun 30.00

Now the guys in 500+ dollars has never set foot on the track and
just to rub a little salt in the wound he has to stop and pick up
8 AAs.

Over the next year he will end up replacing and upgrading
his entire setup and still be driving a 3 generation old chassis
and joy joy spent more money than if he had just bought a current
Pro Level kit and built it himself.

Been there done that got the Tshirt.

Best way right now to get into R/C racing if your track has the
class is CORR trucks. Slash/SC10 you can get setup for under
500.00 with your rig a couple of lipos and a decent charger.
Run in the Spec class and your competing with the other drivers
not there wallets. A season of spec class racing will do more for your
skill level than just about any class out there. Bye the time your move to
1/8 scale you will have a glass smooth style, line selection, throttle control,
ect will all be way better than if you started in an 1/8 scale.

Any time someone wants a REAL estimate of what it cost to get
into 1/8 scale nitro I tell them 1200.min. Maybe I'm a little
high on that estimate but I refuse to Bait and Switch people.