shopping list

[cdog4w]

Hello, I'm ready (again) to buy a mini-x and I wanted to solicit opinion on what I need to buy. I'm of course shopping here at tinyrc, and already have the Car Kit v2.0, the Futaba Tx and mini-x charger on my list. So I'm around $153 (you charge tax tiny?) and wanted to know if there are any other items pros on the forum would consider necessary? I'm a noob when it comes to RC, so bear than in mind.

For racing surface, there's an elementary school across the street and I plan on using their playground (looks like its asphalt). I might be able to use a friend's carpeted basement (hard carpet) once I talk him into buying too :P

Right now I think I will stick with the basics and save hop ups for when I can talk my friend into racing with me and for my next raise.

A couple of the concerns I read about were the easily broken front pinion, the dog bone popping off (not that I know what that is) and that the diff's should be greased (and there are directions at intrepid). I guess what I'm asking is should I buy some backup parts to replace any I may break? I do have access to a lhs (Hobbytown USA in Seattle), but it didn't sound like they knew much about the Mini-X (they do sell Micro RS4's and some Mini-Z's).

Tiny, would there be any way I could substitute a painted body in the kit for the price difference? Call me lazy, but I can't afford the paint supplies/time on top of the rest :P

I almost bought a mini-x a year ago or so (right b4 version 2), but real life invaded cruelly. I dropped by on whim a week ago and got immediately sucked back in. These forums are a blast, keep it up everyone.

Charles.