Hello, my name is Aaron and I'm long time racer of R/C cars, well, about 15 years but thats long enough I used to race at the Ranch until it closed down many years ago. From there it was M&M and then Revelation when I started getting into on road cars. About 6 years ago some club races started where I'm currently living (Yuma AZ) so I bought a 10GT and started racing again. That track closed up and its been NO R/C for about 3 years now Well, our track opened back up recently and a couple peeps have 1/8 scale cars, which is something I've always wanted to try. Our track is huge, plenty big for 1/8.

I budgeted about $500 for a ready to run kit (cant afford anything else). The cars I came across were the Sportwerks, Hyper 7, and the new Jammin RTR. Ive never been into the RTRs because I love to build the cars but I just cant afford the kits that are out and they arent even racing out here yet (hopefully that will change soon). I want a car that I can be competitive with. I was leaning toward the Hyper 7 PBS because I can pick one up new for $409. I'd then toss the radio (have an old car I can throw it on) and pick up the JR XS3 intead. That would bring to roughly $650 (over my budget but I can grab the radio a bit later) and only spend about $100 more than the other 2 kits for a better radio system (much better that what the Jammin looks to ship with and a lil better than the radio included with the Sportwerks).

Which route would you guys go and why?

Dont toss the radio, just the steering servo. Get a nice High torque one for up front. The stock one will be fine on the B/T. Your budgets tight and after you've bought the kit, Glow start and charger, Batts for the Starter box and fuel. You'll be right on your limit (probably over). Dont worry about the RTR bit as you'll need to strip it down straight away to lube the diffs and shocks, not to mention at least a full screw check. But I think You'll be happiest with a PBS, Just get a decent servo straight off, it's cheaper in the long run.

I'm just not a fan of AM radios in gas cars, the narrow band receivers sure are a lot better than yester year but I'd still prefer an FM. I've been strongly considering the Sportwerks car because it has a decent radio and a steering servo that will keep me going for a while.

The review I read on this site was pretty impressive as well. Lots of decisions!

Welcome to RCU!

Thank you! I was a member for quite a while but the account has been inactive for about 2 years, guess it got scrubbed

I would go with the Hyper and the JR XS3 Pro. If your racing a synthesized radios are almost a must. You don't want to sit out and watch at a race because you didn't have extra crystals. The radios that come with the Sportwerks and whatnot are decent, and better than the AM's but still not synth. Don't waste your money on a car just because of the radio it comes with.

This was the direction I was leaning toward but it didnt seem like the Mayhem was a waste based on what I've seen, so far anyways. How long has the Sportwerks car been around?

The budget I posted isnt set in stone, I just dont want to buy in kit form right now because this track may not take off (if history repeats itself). A good radio is something you take from car to car so thats not a bad investment (for me anyways). For about $100 more than the Sportwerks I could have a radio with more features than I'll use (had an M8 previously and didnt use 99% of the features it offered) and a car that may be more competitive out of the box. Not sure as I havent driven either to decide if they have handling characteristics I prefer.

If your budget is only +/-$500 I'd have to say 1/8th scale racing is not for you by a long shot.. Stick to 1/10th scale.

I'm getting back into 1/8th buggies myself. After reading a lot reviews and comments i'm going to go with the Mayhem RTR. It looks like a solid package for the money!

Isnt ONLY $500 (thats more my initial investment budget), just dont want to spend a lot more than that right now. Yuma doesnt have a large R/C following at all, we only have 7 "regulars" and only 1 or 2 of them are running 1/8. The rest are mostly MAXX' or similar. Hopefully it takes off though as I've really been looking forward to getting back into the hobby and especially 1/8 scale. I'll probably make monthly trips up to Revelation as well, its about a 4 hour drive but my parents live near by so I can visit with them as well (though that will probably get old quick lol).

Make note that most tracks dont allow .26 engine like the one in the mayhem. Unless there is an unlimited class or something of that nature.

The motor size wont be an issue for me really and I've honestly never seen a track that this mattered unless you were in the Sportsman or Expert classes. I'm not against picking up a legal motor at all and would actually prefer to have a motor dedicated to racing and one to goof around with.

Arent there only sportsman and expert classes? What's the third class? Bumper cars?

U WANT BUGGY THEN GET XTM XTERMINATOR

Most tracks, make that every, I've raced at had Novice, Sportsman, and Expert. Revelation has Beginner, Novice, Sportsman, and Expert. Depending on the skill level up there I'll decide which class I'll go into, more than likely the Sportsman depending on the class rules (which will almost certainly dictate a .21). Hell, after 3 years I may just be a flat out hack now lol.

I havent really looked at the XTMs, are they a sister company of somebody else? Parts availability wont be an issue for me since our local shop only carries Traxxas vehicles.

if 500usd is your budget i agree with skyline stick to 1/10th to get a decent buggy running i wouldn't spend under 600usd all the buggys under that are pointless by 600usd i mean for say an rtr buggy but then getting little things like fuel hotpocket a decent charger those types of little things.

You can get some decent OFNA buggies from Tower hobbies for less than $500. The LX is a decent buggy for the money and you can always find great deals on EBay.

yeh but once you spend your 500usd you have no more left over for other little things.

You do not want a 1/10 scale nitro buggy - they will break constantly.

Good affordable buggies:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGUS1&P=ML $299
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXAXV1&P=ML $349
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGCY8&P=7 $409

For $299 I think it is a great deal.

When I said 10th scale I meant the RC10GT he mentioned he had in his post above.

OK guys, perhaps I have phrased this wrong (my reading comprehension isnt great so my writing skills could very well suck too :lol: ). I would like the initial investment to be around $500 (for the RTR kit), the rest of the stuff I'll pony up for, not a problem. I'm certainly not a rich guy but I make enough to buy some decent stuff, just not willing to drop $1500 or a car that may end up seeing more bashing than racing (though I've never bashed a car before so it will probably collect dust instead).

The cars I'm really looking at are the Hyper PBS RTR, the Sportwerks RTR, and the Jammin RTR. I want a platform that can be upgraded to an upper level car if it (the sport) takes off down here. I believe the Jammin and Hyper meets that criteria perfectly, not sure about the Sportwerks as of yet. The PBS from ace hobbies runs $409 right now and has most everything I'll need to get by. Will have to pick up two cheap battery packs (to match the cheap starter box), a cheaper peak charger (959 Brain I imagine), some glow plugs, a better steering servo (tried the 645s on another car, junk in my opinion. Airtronics for me. Might try the JR 85oz unit, think its only 40 bucks), and a receiver pack (a nice one). Hopefully the LHS is carrying some decent fuel now, only Traxxas stuff before. I can always grab that when I'm up in Cali though. For $625 after shipping I could get everything I needed to be up and running.

I have the PBS myself and love it. Had it for over a year now.

Nice to see a mod with taste.

Ewwww- Ofna..lol Just Kidding. I've got a few Hyper 7's laying around collecting dust as well. They are great cars. Good to see your not about the Hitec crap servos that don't center or last. A nice alternative to the Hitec 645 is the JR Z650M- 146 oz/in torque at .15 or something- not sure about the speed, but the torque is there- asn its about the same price around $45.

Yea the JR 590z 85oz/in i think your talking about is inexpensive but probably on the weak side for steering. Might make a nice throttle/brake servo though.

Jeeze guys whats wrong with the 645's? Sure i'd like to see my wheels turn lightning fast but i can't really afford to drop $100 on a servo either.