ORIGINAL: Druss
How is a tamiya kit overprice? They are usually in the $100 to $200 range unless you're looking at one of the 1/14 semi trucks, crawlers or TRF models. The average RCer can get a decent buggy for under $200.
You might be able to get one for under $200 then you have to buy the electronics for it. Most of my LHS only stock parts for the "Big 3" (Traxxas, Losi and Associated) and of the other RC's are considered special order and you might be lucky if the LHS will even order the parts.