If mine were that bad, the first thing I would do is dig the battery out of it and clean it off. I would then hose the car off with a hose. Then take the wheels off and any easy to get to bits. Then I would let it dry a bit and spray a small dab of WD40 on all the mechanical joints and bearings...
You can replace the pins with Pro-Line body nuts. You have to cut off the existing pin and drill a hole in the body post. But it's rather easy to do.
https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/110-body-mount-secure-loc-caps-kit-for-pro-line-body-mount-kits/PRO607002.html
I wouldn't say cheaper LiPo's are known to explode. As long as the internal resistance is not crazy high, the battery isn't puffing up, the battery is safe to play with. I have had my fair share of cheap LiPo's and have never once had one catch fire.
And I don't think I have ever seen or heard...
Liperior, CNHL, and Zippy batteries are all good, and cheap. Get something at least 5000mAh (more is better), 50C (more is better), and 3s (11.1v). Just make sure it fits the battery tray. You'll want an EC5 plug on whatever battery you choose.
Our Granite 3s
Yup, that is the Stampede I would get if I were going with the RTR.
I plan to grab the new kit version they have coming out some day, but I would buy a brushless motor/esc for it along with a better servo. That RTR is already brushless, so you will be in good shape.
I would not however run the...
The sad thing is, cheap these days for a decent RTR RC is closer to $400 than it is $300. And that seems to go up regularly. You can buy kits for $200-$300, but by the time you buy everything to finish them off, it can get pretty pricey.
The MST MTX-1 that pug linked above, I have actually...
Since that is a toy grade RC, anything you do to hop it up is likely just going to destroy it. Now, that is not guaranteed. But I am betting all the gearing is plastic. I just wouldn't want to tell you yeah, go for it, and it fails within minutes of you doing so.
If that truck really excites...
But you linked a Kyosho kit at Horizon, which is Tower as well. You are missing the point. I don't care where you shop. You mentioned it is over $500, which with the $85 coupon means it is only $434.
If you buy that from Tower, at the right time, you can use an $85 off coupon. I don't know why people don't get that. Anything Kyosho can be bought with coupons at any time on Tower Hobbies, and depending on the month, it ranges from $70-$85 off.
If size is that important, the Losi Grave Digger...