I think I paid a preorder price of $469 or so for the MTX4 when it first came out several years ago. Even if the MTX5 is $550USD, I'll be preordering. I can not speak for the other touring cars out there but in the case of the Mugen, You have to pay for quality. These cars are tanks out there. (Especially after my horrible driving yesterday and getting t-boned by a 8th scale and GT car. Never broke a part.)