This sport offers great Father/Son relationships. Usually the father works on the cars though. It's quite fun to have it reversed
Don't be mad at your father I'm sure he doesn't do it on purpose.
TC3 can be made pretty sturdy if you get better bumper. BRP and RPM both made great ones if I remember correctly. I built one out of aluminium that reached to the edge of the body I was using, then I used larger foam.
Of current cars I think X-Ray 05 is the strongest. That model has been replaced but you should be able to get used one at good price.
All parts will break if you use enough force.