If you already own a last gen vehicle and racing just at a club and not at a professional level I don't see the need in having to buy another car just because they released a newer version of your car.
If you are getting into racing and don't have a vehicle yet I would spend the money up front and get a newer design vehicle. A Losi 8ight-T 2.0 RTR would be an awesome first racer and comes with basically everything needed to go racing. Then upgrade the RTR parts with the upgraded parts as parts break or get worn out. Thats what I am doing with my 8ight-T 2.0 RTR converted to electric and am doing very good with it. I can keep up with people running the roller kits or the fully upgraded kits easily worth $1000+.
If you are not able to run a 5min qualifier with only 1-2 mistakes needing a marshal there is almost no need to running the new gen or high dollar kits in my opinion.