the cost of kits and parts are out of control. I find it very hard to believe that little pieces of plastic that break when you graze a board or bump someone is worth a kit that can cost 600 bucks. i have a tc3 so the parts are reasonable. But my serpents are expensive. Serpent also makes a crash bag for their cars which is a good idea.
I dont even buy new kits now, only used since they cost so much to buy new. Then they dont hold their value at all. people are almost giving cars away on ebay which sucks becaue even if you want to sell your car for a price that you think is good, you cant because another guy is selling it for 200 bucks cheaper.