ORIGINAL: sbrond
As far as batterys go you can also check hobbypartz.com and look at the blue lipo's i have 10 of there 20c 3300's and have yet to have a problem with them and they all have about 50 to 60 runs on them.. they stay in balance even after 5 to 6 charges. and the cost $17. They also offer $ flat rate shipping.
Now i will prob get flamed for this but hey what ever. I have a hot bodies d8 for gas which in the end cost me a tade over a grand. Then for electric i have an exceed madfire RE that i paid $287 ready to run. even has 2 25c 3300 lipos that come with it. (no charger) Now i race both buggys every monday. The d8 is a better buggie by all means but for the money the madfire is a hell of a car. On avereage i will brake my d8 about ever 6th heat. my madfire about every 4th to 5th heat. Now here is where the difference comes in my local hobby shop does not offer parts for either so i order for both cars. But when i brake the madfire it cost me on aver about $6 to fix it and the d8 on aver cost me about $50 to $60. you do the math.
For a starter elec 1/8 you cant go wrong i place in the top 3 if not higher every week with this car. It has its down points but its price make up more than enough for it.
Looks ok for the money. For a first 1/8th scale buggy for the OP it might be fine, especially if you're having good luck. You don't work for Exceed do you? (Kidding).
I just got an Ofna Ultra roller but I estimate > $500 to complete it with radio, servo, esc, motor, batteries and charger.
The 1/10th scale suggestion is pretty good to. OP could get something like an E-Firestorm flux and batteries/charger and be well under $400. They are very durable too so you won't be spending much later or have much down time.