Hyper 7 is better than the CEN IMHO, better parts availability

Sorry about the ebay links, I'll get em gone... Kong there are some super deals on ebay right now for used hyper 7 buggies... PM me for info

the first 2 would be pretty good, I actually am trying to not bid on it myself.. I really want those odonnel shocks, but I keep telling myself leave it for someone who has a desire to get a good starter car...

Anyways, there is an up side to used rollers or even that used RTR... when you go with used you generally can get lucky and score on a cheap ride that has mods already done, hop ups installed, or like with my Hyper, I found a diamond in the rough, think looked like a complete wreck... as it turned out it was a Race Hyper with a ton of aftermarket stuff the guy selling it thought the kickup in front was a bent chassis tore the front end apart and gave up on it sold it to me for 70 bucks... I then bought 450 bucks in NIB parts off the same guy for 150 and got him to throw in a new body and green dress kit. I then scored a hyper .21 motor for 80, exhuast for 32, new shocks for 25, and after slapping it together have a pretty damn good looking buggy with all the race ready hop ups for under 400 bucks...

Another point to getting a used buggy is that you will learn your vehicle alot better as you build it up, beleive me I had someone strongly encourage me to do that and I am glad I did! I can now tear down and rebuild any 1/8th scale truggy or buggy in no time!

the last point to used being good is that is you total the thing which can happen since you aren't used to the wild acceleration and overall higher skill level to run a buggy, and believe me a wrek only takes a blink of an eye or a quick glance at the hottie crossing the street, and bam hit by a car, slam into a curb, launched off a jump into som ungodly place LOL! these things are that quick, and it is alot less painful when you can say "oh well it only cost me a hundred bucks" versus having to say "I am ruined I just detroyed my 500.00 buggy!!!!"

In reference to your Radio question anyone who knows will tell you to try to get at least a 2.4 Ghz system... I personally use the DX3S system and have 2 I like the telemetry function that tells me engine temp, rpm/mph battery levels, etc.. plus it is rock solid performance, I do not get glitches, i have a built in failsafe, and very precise control of the vehicle. Now I am not saying to go out and get a DX3S right away, but the money you save on buying a used buggy could go to a system like that, and believe me when I tell you buggies will come and go, but a good radio you will keep and use again and again! put your money there is my suggestion...

also if you just intend to bash, you may want to look at OFNA ultra series Buggies, they are made to be beaten, I have had 3 of them while learning, and they are gluttons for abuse, you can pick those up really cheap these days on ebay...

Whatever you decide you need to do the homework and determine what will be best for you everyone's recommendations are good here, and I love how everyone has "their" brand they love. so you can get to see which products are really good on the entry level scale...

hope this helps!!!

Oh and if you want to see the "diamond in the rough" Hyper 7 I mentioned look at this thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8896885/tm.htm