I have accepted that to get the quality truck I want, it is going to be expensive. The reality is that I spent more maintaining and upgrading my Losi SCTE than I do on my electric 8th scales. Kind of the same with me SC10 too.

It is isn't upfront cost that matter but TOTAL life time costs. So what if you can get a Losi for $250 or whatever. You still need damn near $300 worth of hop ups, not to mention the constant maintenance costs.

You by an xb9 or 808 and that is it.... you don't spend any more money on extra parts, upgrades, etc. One shot and you are done for the most part. My 808 was by far the cheapest car I have owned over time (no spares, upgrades, etc) even though out of the box, it was probably one of the more expensive initially.