Yeah I don't think other mid motor buggies have gear covers, but I just don't think the gears will be protected that well without a sealed gear cover.
About the motor plate, I think you misunderstood me nicefrog. I've never broken one, in fact I've hardly broken anything on this stealth buggy
. By flimsy, I meant that it warps when the buggy is under torque, which causes the spur and pinion gear to go a little of axis sometimes, which wears them out a lot faster.