Ha ha yeah, I am a bit of a fan boy when it comes to the TamTechs!! The Graupner is a good fast motor as the review Jimmy did proves but the thing with micro brushed motors is that they wear out pretty quick. Brushless is definitely the way to go but for less than £10 a brushed motor is a good stop gap.
The stock shocks are horrible aren't they? Just for show as much as anything but a new set of oil filled shocks will transform the car instantly. I race mine every week and wouldn't swap it for anything, can still hold it's own against much more race orientated cars.
I would also add the 3Racing pinions to the shopping list. The stock push-on ones are ok to begin with but wont be up to the brushless motor if you do get one. I got the heavy duty steel ones but I am not sure it is totally necessary as the ali ones are probably just as good.
I found this review to be a good source of reference aswell, hope it helps mate.
http://www.modrc.com/cars/gb02/