RE: Getting into 1/8 scale nitro
This is the perfect setup for a beginner - Hyper 7 with OS RG and many extra parts and tires. Great starter engine with a new piston and sleeve, upgraded servos, receiver pack, tires, spare arms, 3 bodies...
Concerning the Hyper 7's weak towers, this buggy has CNC towers (much more durable than the flat stock towers)...and has an all graphite radio tray. You'd end up spending a lot of money upgrading any RTR to this spec.
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=300239713087#ebayphotohosting]Hyper 7 Pro on EBay[/link]
With this setup, all you would need is a starter box, which is a little more costly than a pull start...but the only way to go long term.