The car is together and ready to be run, but it's still sitting on my shelf. In regards to finding parts, if they are available at all, my local hobby shop should have them. Also, I really don't plan on racing the car all that much, maybe once a month if I'm lucky, so I'm not too worried about premature wear, or breaking a ton of stuff. I am a Touring Car guy, and this car is just something to keep me in the racing scene between Touring races. If touring was more popular here I probably would have never even bought any 1/8th buggy. BTW, just got a new Cyclone and it is really nice. I wish HB/HPI would step up their parts availibilty though.