Do you want a truck or buggy? You mentioned some SCT’s, but then mentioned carpet, so I’m assuming you’d be racing at a track with a timing system? Don’t forget to budget for a transponder. Stupid little things will run you $120 (>20% of your budget).
Maybe you guys could all look for used B6.3’s, but then all buy the same ESC and motor? You could probably get close to $500 for a setup.
Are you starting from complete scratch? I have nightmares about losing everything then thinking all the little things from tools, soldering iron, wire, bullet connectors, pit station, setup stuff, transponders, tires, etc…