OK, my .02 as a basher. (not a typical one)
I purchased a RC8Te while stationed in Afghanistan. And tried to kill it in the minefields.
1.) First thing, you can't kill this truck.
2.) The part I broke the most, was the rear suspension brace, untill I went to the aluminium part. Plastic didn't live up to it.
3.) Convert to brushless!!! Not trying to set off a crap storm here, but my setup with a castle creations mamba monster 2200KV motor, with a 4 cell lipo pack, was more ruthless than anything I've ever seen. (I'm still punching myself in the crotch for selling the truck, as they don't offer an RC8te kit any more.)
Your steering delema is all setup, play with it, and it'll be what you want.
I did personally have a brain fart, and handed my transmitter to a junior soldier, who proceded to attack a 12' gravel pile in my truck at full throttle. (mostly because he was stupid! but we witnessed a 35' jump, with the only damage being the front right shock comming undone.)