Nitro cars tear themselves up -- there is a lot of cost from replacing items that wear out and maintenance takes time. Clutch bell bearings, re-pinching or replacing a motor, replacing drive shafts that wear out, tires every few race nights if you run soft compounds and -- you really have to figure out what works and stick with it. Initially, you're gonna break stuff left and right trying to figure out how to drive the thing well. You're gonna go through a few wings. You're gonna bend or break a tower or tie-rod or two. Over all, once you find your groove, you'll love it and figure out what you need to do, keep spares of, and get your costs under control. Initially, however, it will be frustrating. 1/10 scale is FAR cheaper over all. 1/8 anything is more expensive and wears stuff out much faster, nitro or brushless.