Associate T3 Factory. Any good?

[bholio]

Someone at my racetrack offerred to sell me an associate T3 Factory edition. I believe it's the top of the line T3. I know the T4 is out, but we're (my son and I) not that serious that we need brand the latest and greatest equipment.

He's asking $80(USD). Sounds like a good deal considering Tower still sells the factory for over $200, and an ebay purchase would force me to pay $10-$15(USD) shipping.

What's the durability of one of these. Are they really fragile? Are replacement parts expensive and/or hard to get? Most likely my 5 year old son will end up with 1/2 of the race time with this one if we buy it. He hasn't broken his graphite XXCR Kinwald yet (except a seized bearing which I can't blame on him).

Are all of the T3 factory cars blue? How else can I tell if its a factory instead of a Team? Is it the only one with full graphite?

[Twmaster]

The T3 is a good buy at $80 anyway you slice it if it is in good shape. The only Factory trucks I have seen were blue.

Very durable and parts are also easy to get as just about any decent hobby shop can get them in just a couple of days. My LHS stocks AE parts.