I'm interested in a getting buggy to try out, after seeing a few tear our 'backyard bash course' up. I was originally looking at something cheap to get a feel with like a Ravager, but after reading here more and thinking about it, I think I should get a kit instead. I already have a xs3 that I use on my trucks, so I'd have to get a reciever for that anyways. So, what are some good entry-level kits I guess? I was hoping there was something a little cheaper than what I've seen so far, which is a hyper8 for 385, and a xb8r for 375 I think, since I still need servos, receiver, and an engine. Or is that about as cheap as you can find for a 'good' kit? Also, what's a good engine? Not something overpowering, it's a pretty small, tight track.

Well, for a decent kit, that's what you'll pay. For a decent motor, you pretty much get what you pay for. If you do a few searches you'll find that the most popular are the Italian mills; Novarossi, ect. A decent pull start verion is cheap, and one with the shaft start is a little more, but can be worth it if you don't want to deal with a starter box.(a friend has one and he loves it) I bought an ARR, wich meant all I had to do is drop in my control system(I already had a starter box from all my on-road racing). The Turmoil is available that way, and not too expensive. Then you wouldn't have to find decent motor, the one that comes with it is good(I have the Mayhem Pro ARR, and I'm very pleased with it). There are more options, but as you have found, they aren't cheap...

Take a look:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=SWK1105

thats about as cheap as a good kit can be. for a good but cheap engine check out the OS RG if you can find one. they are out of production but there are still some around, and its a great little motor for small tracks at only $100. a cheap servo for throtle is fine but dont cheap out on your steering servo, expect to spend around $100 for it. either of the buggy kits you mentioned are just as capable of a win as a high-dollar kit. good luck.

I have a hyper 7 tq with a o.s. rg in it and I tq'd the buggy the first time out no practice shots

You definitely have your head in the right place. Getting a kit like the Hyper or Xray that you mentioned will give you alot better experience than going the RTR route. As mentioned above, get a quality steering servo (coreless, 150+ torque,.15 or fater reaction) , and a decent metal geared throttle servo (Z590 that came with your XS3 would be great). I would say go the starter box route, and get an engine with a sealed backplate (no rotostart, no pullstart) because it will perform better and be more reliable, since there are less moving parts to fail, and the sealed backplate is less prone to air leaks.

Figure 400 for car, 50 for receiver, 80 for steering servo, 50 for throttle, 110 for OS RG, 100 for heavy duty starter box. $790 plus shipping for a good setup, assuming you already have basic tools, nitro accessories (fuel bottles, plugs, etc), charger (hopefully peak detecting), paint, glue, silicone diff/shock oils, etc. from your previous cars.

Thanks for the info guys. [8D]

Hyper 8 pro kit you can get it for $400 to $430.

Try making this guy a better offer
[link=http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=126444&highlight=hyper]Hyper 8[/link]

At the risk off wasting money, I decided to grab a Hyper 7 kit instead. Since I'm not really 'racing' I felt a cheaper one would be better for me. I also don't want to make the jump to a bumpstarter yet, so I got the ofna .21 8port engine pullstart (I still like my roto starts...). I need to get a lot more practice before I'd feel ok with driving something nice and pricey. Should be here tomorrow, can't wait.

You can never "waste money" by buying a better quality buggy. You will eventually spend that differencce PLUS some trying to hop up a lesser performing buggy. Trust me, I've been through 3 buggies since December because I didn't buy a top end buggy to begin with. I actually wasted money.

Not really, he might drive it 3 times and let it catch dust. I have a friend's buggy in my hobby van that has less than half an hour's worth of run time on it...it's 4 months old... He bought a cheapo RTR so he could learn to race, and get started. His interests have shifted(he discovered girls...hehe), so if he'd spent nearly a grand on a first car, he'd have waisted it... On the other hand, if you intend to stick with it, keep racing, and drive it at least weekly, then a nicer ride is the better route.

Well that's what I meant. Not that the hyper8 would have been a waste, but that buying a cheaper one would end up being so in the long run. If I get serious into racing then I might look to a more expensive one. I'm fairly sure I'll tear up this buggy before I've learned the finer points, and I'd rather that not be a good buggy.