Good idea getting around the club and saying hi - there is always somebody selling stuff so you can pick up some quality gear secondhand.
I reckon get a Xray kit, and whilst you are building it save up some more quids and get a secondhand radio (DX3's grow on trees and you can get something with Rx for say $200 easily)
Secondhand Swallow chargers are always around for about $50
New buggy, new motor (say a Werks B2 from USA for $180 posted), new cheap servos (HS645MG - $40 ea) and then eveything else can be secondhand. You could do it for $800 - $1K easily and have good stuff