OK, listen closely, i'm NOT a Rovan/KM "fanboy". I tell it like it deserves. A $1000 HPI Baja will still have many of the same issues as the ROV's and KM's . What adds success and knowledge is just paying attention to the details, and keeping an eye on what breaks (or is ready to break). There's guys obsessed with useless "wallet bait" hop ups , and hey that's ok, it's your money not mine. I take hop-ups on a case by case basis. Having a mini mill in your basement is a big bonus ! My time is valuable, when I allocate time to play with my RC, that rig better DAM WELL RUN and DRIVE ! I've already been sent home early after about 5 min of playing when my brake caliper basically fell apart. My bad as I was concerned about the stupid plastic brake pad mount, but didn't do anything about it. Now I custom designed a better fitting aluminum mount, and the triple pad setup.