I just recall when I sold my HPI RS4 MT with the Novak SS 5800. I could not give it away as a set. I sold the BL system for 100 bucks and the MT - which has lots of carbon fiber and other rare goodies - for 160 RTR with a Nice radio, brushed motor and esc....etc. There is just no resale value.
I purchased an HPI Sprint RTR with lots of high end hop ups that are hard to find, like the Heat sink motor plate, alum arms, good motor, esc, etc right here for a little over a hundred. My neighbors kid wanted a cheap on road racer.
I recomend to your buddy that he separate the motor system from the car. That will alow him to sell it much faster.