Ok, here's how it breaks down:

Air radio + Air ESC = You need mechanical brakes and you won't have reverse. No other mods necessary.

Air radio + Car ESC = Mod the radio so the throttle returns to center for neutral. Motor brakes and reverse are available.

Car radio + Air ESC = Need Pistix adaptor and mechanical brakes. You won't have reverse unless you use a mechanical setup like a nitro Revo for example (extra shifting servo and use another channel to switch between forward and reverse).

Car radio + Car ESC = No mods necessary for full operation.

more than you wanted to spend, but what you want

http://www.himodel.com/radios/2.4Ghz..._Cars_N-3.html

That "TH-SPEED" functions sounds like the same thing as punch control on a CC ESC.

And, maybe it's a typo, but it states that the "Working current at transmitting end: 100ma to 150A.". Wow, 150A?? Man, that's gonna eat transmitter batteries alive! :lol:

Should have good range then?:lol:

WOW why does that consume so much power!!! That is a fair price to pay! i wouldnt mind...

Maybe a rechargable lipo may work?

lol, I think they just forgot to add the "m" for 150mA. One little letter makes such a big difference...