I am currently looking at getting a nitro buggy, and have read many good things about the ofna/hyper models.
Now, looking at tower hobbies page, there is so many to choose from, I really dont know what is the best one for what I want.
My plans for the buggy are to use it as a intro to nitro buggies. I mainly want to bash, but also want to give racing ago, so it needs to be capable on the track to some extent.
So it needs to be a good all rounder. I also want a RTR as a first car just to save the hassle of picking a motor and radio gear etc.
So, out of the ones available, what would be offering the best bang for buck.
Can someone shed some light and guide me in the right direction. Also, if there is a better buggy that fits my needs I'm still open to suggestions.

Hyper 8.5 all the way! Go over to Nitrohouse.com, they are right next door to OFNA plus they have a guy named Rob over there that is awesome to talk to and is very willing to help out any one.

A Hyper 8.5 is good, but you say you mainly want to bash, so I would recommend a Hyper 7. It can do alright on the track for a beginner racer, and it is a great buggy for bashing. Very durable; only change I made to mine was to spend 30 bucks on a metal gear steering servo, and a RTR car is about $300. Since you are not a serious racer it doesn't seem worth it to fork over an extra $200 bucks for a Hyper 8.5, which is not a bashing car at all. Hyper 7: http://nitrohouse.com/ofna_hyper_7.htm

The Hyper 8 can be bought RTR for about $400, but the Hyper 8.5 is only in a kit. http://nitrohouse.com/ofna_hyper_8.htm

I did exact;y like your talking. went and got ofna lx-1 rtr for bashing and some racing. bought all the stuff I needed, starter bpx, diff oil, tools, backup motor. now I'm trying to sell all of it, just can't get patiance for nitro. I guess my advice u want to bash get a good used anything to get your feet wet and when u want to race go all out and get a name brand or whatever others at your track can help you with. if your still interested mine is for sale rtr with everthing send me a pm

Hyper 7 is a very good basher and still be competitive on the track. All so you can pick up parts cheap. If you have the money a Hyper 8.5 would be great but here in the states the only way to get the Hyper 8.5 is a pro kit with out engine, or electrics.

Hey 46u please correct me if I am wrong but don't you get the hop up parts with the Hyper 8 rtr when you buy it? I thought they started to put the chassis and the other stuff in the box for you to upgrade when you want.

call NitroHouse and find out...ask for Rob Bender, they also sale all the Hyper8/8.5 part that you will ever need...[link]http://www.nitrohouse.com/catalog/[/link]

the pbs is the best allaround imo.

I have read they do but when I went to Ofna web site did not say.

Well I searched around and A Main Hobbies is not shy about boasting that the Hyper 8 RTR does come with a Hyper 8.5 conversion kit. It says for a limited time, but doesn't give much detail other than that.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/8921

All a matter of opinion, but I would rather get the kit. RTR electronics suck and .28 engines need way more fuel than .21. It seems like an unnecessary amount of power as well. Especially on a track, a .21 gets you around plenty fast.