Hi Everyone,

I am trying to buy a new 1/8 scale buggy but i can't decide which one. What brand and model do you propose?
Except of your preference, could you tell me which of the buggies below is the best?

Hobbytech - str8 v2
Hobao - Hyper 8.5
Nanda/Shumaher
Turmoil


What should i consider to choose one?

Thanks,
Waiting your answers

Hobao - Hyper 8.5

The 8.5 is a fine buggy. But for 20 bucks more you can get an 8ight race roller from losiparts. Having owned a Hyper 8 for the last year I can tell you the 8ight is a much faster buggy. Its able to carry much more corner speed than the Hyper. However, the 8ight requires a smooth hand to drive well. It's now where near as forgiving as the Hyper.

Hope that helps some.

I have both the Hyper 8 and 8.5 and I can say the 8.5 handles SO MUCH better then the 8! If you have a few months before buying I recommend waiting till the Hyper 9 hits the streets! I have a feeling the Hyper 9 will be just as competitive as the Losi 8ight but will be more durable. Only time will tell.

handling? ZX-1R by Caster Racing. Has an amazing reputation for handling.

+1 on that. It is a great buggy, most stable and smooth buggy I have driven and I have owned the Losi 8 and driven the Mugen and CEN.

You should consider the Redcat Hurricane if you are a beginner in RC. It is a great entry level buggy, very durable and forgiving. (and not too expensive).

Caster and Straight come from the same factory and share almost all of their parts.
Only difference is the PBS on the Caster and C-hub on the Straight.

Straight??? Never heard of them, any pics??

[link]http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=187906&highlight=hobbytech[/link]
[link]http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=194332&highlight=hobbytech[/link]
Straight pictures!!!

NICE I read alot of the posts. Looks like a great car but not coming to the US though from what I read. It also is alot like the Caster except for the C-Hubs.

It is coming to the US but don't know the exact time.
There is a US version of the Straight Pro V2 with 16mm shocks and CNC knuckles, new shock towers,... but still is under development.

I can't beleive your even debating this. The Hyper 8.5 all day long in that company.
The turmoil isn't too bad, though I wouldn't consider the others at all really.

hyper 8.5

Why not?? Just because there not what everyone has? Or you never heard of them? There are so many on here that think just because a product is not one of the big guys that is cannot compete and not good. That is so far from the truth its crazy. I have SMOKED other buggies/truggies with what people here think are inferior products. I guess I must be one DAMN good driver then LOL! especially if the other cars suck. Also people I have beaten before were buy NO means at all newbies. Any of these buggies are good. You will be happy with whatever you choose. For me, I like to be dofferent and NOT run what everyone has. Like my sig say below.....Don't jump on the bandwagon... CRUSH IT

Product support? Aftermarket support?, detailed setup sheets?
How long will your LHS promise to supply parts? I have had these types of vehicles before with promises that they will supply parts only to find 3 months later they drop them.
Yes you can buy online, but now go and type hyper 8.5 and caster zx1R in ebay and look at the amounts of spares available there.
Now go look at the development cycle for these buggies.
There are MANY more things to consider than how fast it gets you round the track. Yes you may be a great driver, congratulations!
We know that a good driver with a cheap buggy can smoke a bad driver with a good buggy. Its said on here all day long is it not? (as well as being a fact).
The point is hes asking for buying advice and you cannot say the caster is a better buggy than the 8.5, cos its never won a major title.
8.5's place very well in many races at all levels.
Now go back consider what i have said and tell me that the caster does all this with the same support and availability, as well as a wealth of information of racers at the tracks who can help out.
I'm glad you like your buggy and i have looked at them and the FT pro looks OK. Nothing better than most buggies though. The lack of support just kills it for me I'm afraid.
So no i'm not jumping on the bandwagon, just offering impartial advice based on experience.

You got a point but alot if you do enough research on certain products you will be able to find product support that it really good (only on certain none popular yet products). Also not alot of people have a hobby shop by them and do all of there stuff online so it would not matter if a hobby store had them in stock. For example on my Caster, whenever I need a part it takes no longer than 3 days for me to get my part from Caster so support and availability is not a problem with Caster at all for anyone. Most hobby shops take longer than that. I agree with you about info at tracks from others not being able to help too much because nobody has them and about setups and racing info but thats what makes it fun, tuning and setting up yourself to figure out what things do. Now if someone is not mechanically inclined then maybe it would be different. Yes it is easy to copy another's setup sheet but not as fun to experiment. You have all good points.

No problem. Sometimes i wish I could be a product reviewer, so I have time to test all of these products lol.
Where Hobao score massivley in my opinion though is that they have a massive global distribution that is second to none.
Also their pricing is very competative at the level they pitch their buggies. Couple that with their racing background and really they are the strongest budget concious buggies on the market.
I'm not a fanboy as you can tell by my sig, but the hypers would always be on my shortlist for these reasons whatever level I compete at.
I do applaud you for trying something different as your obviously resourceful enough to overcome these niggling problems.
Just remember not everybody is.

I had a Hyper ST PRO and it was awesome, just always had problems with my brakes. Trimmed down on my RC collection and decided to keep the casters so I have the same brand for buggy and truggy and of course could not part with my ST-RR I luuuuuvvvvv that one!!! I think before someone makes a decision on what people say about a not so popular product they need to actually DO research and contact manufacturers and stuff and feel out a company, what they are doing, dealers they have, online ordering places, etc.

Get the XTM Mammoth ST

Thats helpful. Its not in the poster's original list and not a buggy
Let me guess, you have one?

No don't get the hyper 8.5!! wait for the hyper 9 to come out a few months, that thing is wicked!!!

Noooo.... wait for the Mugen MBX6 or the Kyosho MP888 they must be awesome too.

Hey Guys,

Sorry for taking too long to answer but unfortunately, i am i nthe army currently and thats why it takes me long to access the pc.

Anyway...

I have posted the specific brands, because i have done a market research and found out shops that sell the buggies themeselves and the full part collection as well. Each shop sells only one brand...

Also, I would like to metion that i already have tow rc cars and i am able to build them or change parts myself... That is the reason i asked for other brands as well, as i could buy one from the internet.

Finally, i would like you to mention technical and mechanical advantages and disadvanteges to support your opinion instead of just posting your buggie or the buggie you would like to have. Just try to convince me buy the best car and more value for money...

Thanks,

The hyper 8 is a good solid buggy and the 8.5 is an evolution of a pretty solid design. Pick one that is easiest to get parts for. Race the hell outta it, and watch the other racers. Walk around the pits, you'll see things that will speak volumes about the various kits. What's the fast guy driving?... ask him about it. Asking a forum like this will only get you conflicting views from arm chair mechanics. I suggest you do a little ground work. It's better to see something in person, in action, doing what you want it to; so you can make a better decision on your own.