Hmm try this:
http://www.rccartalk.com/ek4.html
a couple hundred more to get you goin tho---plus add the build time, or
http://www.duratrax.com/cars/dtxd74x01.html add a few more bucks---I myself would aim at the Traxxas nitro, just for the ease of getting up and running and parts and support availabilty, its almost 1/8th scale in size---next up is 1/4 scale which will use a weedeater motor---believe me the NitroTraxxas will be faster and more fun overall---you could also buy any of the hot SUPER hipo nitro buggys in 1/8th scale (Mugen, Kyosho, Pirate, Thundertiger, GS storm, Hobao, Protech) and fit an easily available truck body to it---get ready to spend 50$ every couple hours for tires---2.8hp at 48,000rpm tends to burn thru them---and 40% nitro aint cheap :-)
Oh yeah you said $$$ wasnt all that important---(dont forget the 200$ radio and 200$ worth of hightorque/highspeed servos and the 90$ starterbox)