If I was new at RC do you really think I would wanna hear..
Oh that truck sucks ass, you have to spend 1500 dollars or more to have fun!!
You need that 600 dollar kit, 400 dollar transmitter, 250 dollars in servos, 200-600 dollar enigine, 100-180 dollar pipe and header, 400 dollars in tires, 300 dollars in spares. ohh yeah and when you race your gonna have to spend 200-500 dollars for a weekend to get there and hotels.
I would not wanna hear that and would probably stop all together.
I say Repair the engine or a get a new .18 and run the truck more and have fun.
There are some other things you can try like some of the lower priced ofna's and caster racing ZX1.5 rtr's, if you decide to get a differant vehicle due to parts support.
You do not need HQ to have fun driving these buggies, truggies and monster trucks.