if, you get the eight-t 2.0 new than yes plan on spending close to $1000 but if you get a "rc8t ce" or a "d8t" it shouldnt be near that theres good "nitro engines" out there for $200 and servos i use for $98.00 that are coreless diginal servos and i never had them go bad on me on my truggys.

just set the epa on throttle and steering up right and they will last.

but i agree if you want to spend the least money than get the d8t .