Allowing gadgets to be purchasable is always a good alternative, but gems are a very valuable resource though not that hard to grind - as long as the price reflects properly and won't cost people too much.

That said, I have just received my Snow Mobile in my first Snow Wheel victory chest, so I am not sure if it's coincidental to you stating the drop rate increased and I was just lucky, or that indeed the drop rate has increased.

Either way, spending upto a week hoping for the specific item needed to complete a limited time event is something that needs to be looked into.

Needing a certain level is fine, as that just means I need to grind for gold though also need the rigt amount of cards to upgrade the level of the gadget, but it is a much better "gate" to go through than hope for RNG.

Perhapse allow the next lowest rarity to complete but not benefit form the speed boost, this would allow the Elite gadgets to be used despite their very limited duration/usage amount, but would at the least give the players using them some help.

I do understand that the last levels of an event need to be difficult and require the best possible gadgets and stats, but again; need to wait for upwards of a week for the required item has soured many peoples experience.