Look for deals on used cars. I just picked up a TLR 8ight 2.0 for $150. It needed about $50 in parts but even at $200 after that I still came out good. I wouldn't buy a used engine unless you know what you are doing with nitro. Look for a good set of used servos too. I found a few Hitec titanium geared servos a few years back for like $70 a piece, and they have NEVER failed me. But what the others said is still true, $500 is probably too small of a budget to get into something that is going to be good enough to race. You are correct too though about OFNA. They make great basher stuff, racing stuff....not so much. The RC8B is a good one to look at, and you can't go wrong with a Mugen either. The 8ight is a nice car but hard to find cheap used, and really expensive new. Good luck!