Hello everyone,I'm new to this forum ,.so first off hello to all!!!!!!.I;m looking a getting a 1/8th scale by=uggy as something for me and my son to do on the weekend. Ihave absolutely NO experience and looking for some advice. Looking to get started and would ideally like to get something used. Any suggestions appreciated, and the reason I ask for 1/8 is that that is the size they race here(in case I like it and want to go on with it).Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome.
Firstly if you are new to the hobby don't buy used. You will almost certainly have to strip and rebuild and replace some parts.
That said don't buy the cheapest new thing you can as you will suffer from quick wear, parts supply problems etc.
IMO the minimum entry level into this hobby is the hyper 7. You should be able to get one around $300. They are super tough, cheap and parts are plentiful in most of the world.
These questions are asked daily so a quick search should give you more than you can possibly read on entry level buggies.

Thanks. Appreciate the advice,but realistically I prob gonna have to try to get one that is used. I u/s and appreciate the info regardless.

Research the CEN matrix. You can pick one up for around the $300.00 range. It is a whole lot of buggy for the money.

I have to put my 2 cents in for the Duratrax Raze.
Parts are very plentiful, and inexpensive. The buggy can take a beating and keep going. It's easy to tune and repair, and runs about $300 as well.
The most recommended buggies for entry level are the three mentioned here: Ofna Hyper 7, CEN Matrix, Duratrax Raze.
all good entry level vehicles, all about the same price, all durable, and easy to repair.
Good luck on your descision, and always remember to have fun!

I also would like it if these "kits" contain everything that i would need right off.

Theres nothing wrong with second hand as long as your careful and are ready to strip and rebuild. You will learn quite a bit in the process as well.
The same rules still apply, and in terms of spares doubly so.
Some projects I buy second hand because I know i'll strip it and junk half of it anyway and replace with better parts.
Look at spares availability both online and in your LHS, then go buy one of those.
I would avoid the cheaper 'copy' buggies though, as they never share 100% parts interchangeability (is that a word? I think so). Hobao, jammin, x-ray Mugen, Kyosho (but not their 7.5 RTR models), losi, AE, thundertiger (EB4S3) and some people even say CEN have their act together these days
Choose from these, buy a current model (not an older one thats ceased production) and double check those spares availability and you should be OK

RTR (Ready-To-Run) kits generally contain everything you need to get started, except fuel and batteries for the controller and reciever (usually eight AA for the controler, and four for the reciever).
I would recopmmend a better, rechargable glow starter though. Most of the included glow starters are not the best quality. You can get a rechargeable one for about $15 - $20. They are well worth it.
Just add fuel, and have fun, but make sure to follow the manufacturers recommended method for breaking in the engine, or you engine will not last as long as it normally would.
As mentioned above, check parts availability at your LHS (local hobby shop). See what they have a lot of, and make a purchase accordingly.
Parts on the net are available every where, so it is not much of an issue.
Since you are just starting out, keep in mine that you will most likely break stuff, everybody does. If you can drive ten minutes to your LHS and get the part rigt away, it's a lot more fun to be up and running right away, than to have to wait a week for a six dollar part.
If you want to add upgraded hop-up parts latter on, the Hyper 7, Matrix, and Raze all have lots of neat goodies to play with.

So are these prices being quoted RTR prices or is there other stuff that I would have to get?

RTR prices, though you would need a few other bits and bobs such as fuel, batteries, glow starters etc.
I would normally recommend buying a kit (as RTR radios and engines are usually not up to much), but I get the idea money is tight for this so I won't bother.
Unfortunately its not a cheap hobby and the learning curve is pretty steep too.
Its worth it though

I had some friend looking out for me and I've just been informed of an Ofna Ultra Lx. How does that rate in yalls books?

Its an old design which has pretty much been surpassed in terms of racing. As a basher its fine and parts support is pretty good. Your still better off with a Hyper 7 (also imported by OFNA) as its probably not any more expensive

Thanks , that info rules it out then. I'd have to import it so on top of the initial cost I also have to look at int'l shipping, so that is why I need to be realistic.
The price on the one my friend found would've been the same as a new Hyper 7.

To be honest I personally don't know much about the Ofna LX. I don't know anybody in my area thathas one, and none of the LHS's around here even sell them.
I think I remember reading some where that people were having problems with some of the parts being weak, and breaking easy. I could be wrong though.
I am in Salt lake City, and have a good amount of hobby shops around here. The fact that not even one sells that particular buggy would make me advise against it, just my opinion.

Appreciated.

If you can get them to ship to you, you might also check ebay. You can get decent used Hyper 7s (both RTR or as just the rolling chassis without engine or radio) for about $100 if you are patient. Really, it wouldnt be hard to put together a decent 1/8 buggy setup, with a decent battery / charger and glow ignotor, for under $300 (for the buggy, engine, extra parts, etc).

Even further, you can also get decent GS Storm buggies for well under $100 from ebay, and they also have parts support. You might want to buy a Storm rolling chassis for less than $100 (shipping to Barbados included), a Toki .21 engine (which is $74 shipped), and an XR2i radio. The Storm is an older buggy, but it still has parts support (maybe not locally, though). It was my first 1/8 scale and it was a good beginner buggy. The Toki .21 engine is suprisingly good for the money. Most people who have them are pleased with them, including my Girlfriend. The XR2i radio system can be found on ebay for under $50 shipped (even to you), and is a decent FM radio with more than enough adjustability for a beginner. That would put you at under $225. Then you can spend another $25-30 on a gallon of fuel, another ~$25 on a rechargeable glow ignitorand another $30 on a rechargable receiver pack and charger, which should put you just over the $300 mark with everything you need to start up and with a new engine.

Let me know if you need links to any of these things.


Although, really, for only another $50 ($300 for the buggy, $50 for the ignitor and receiver pack) you could have the same thing except actually a new, more modern buggy that is completely assembled and ready to go.

i would reccomen a hyper 7 or a cen matrix.

Unless something really spectacular happens it looks like I will get the Hyper 7 new. It comes too highly recommended by almost everyone. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed.

im sure you will be happy with it.