Don't pay any attention to some on here bud, there are known issues with the serpent whether they choose to admit it or not. Rather than discuss the problems they attempt to save face by blaming it on the person assembling or driving the kit, I don't doubt there are some who cause the problem by there own doing but there are also those such as myself who have been racing for some time and built probably 25 race level kits who realize they need to refine some things on the buggy. It's for that fact that no matter how much I like this buggy I would not buy it because it would be a continuation of the nitro version and the similar problems. Buy the buggy, a screw kit, aftermarket bearings, a couple hundred dollars worth of hopups and you may be able to make it around the track and only require maintenance similar to that of other buggies. The buggy is tough, and I really wanted to like the ones I had but its got a ways to go imo.