Mostly the difference is parts quality. Kyosho, Xray, Mugen, etc. have carbon fiber and higher quality plastics and everything possible lightened to shave some grams off. Also, take into consideration the other parts. Look at the Losi 8ight 2.0 RTR and the Recat Hurricane at $269. With the 8ight, you get a DX3S radio ($250) which is almost the price of the Hurricane. Along with that you get the Race Roller design ($500) with a few cheapened parts (chassis, shock towers, shock caps, etc), starter box ($70) and a race legal engine ($150). I can't see Losi making THAT much money for everything it includes. The RedCat will handle no where close to the 8ight even with $500 in hopups to compensate for the price difference.