I just got back into RC ( i was really into it about 4 years ago) ive been really liking the looks of the 1/8 scale nitro buggies thing is being away for 3 years i really dont know whats good and not... my previous rc car was a T-maxx and a hpi nitro rush.. so im not totally new to the nitro was just wondering for some tips on whats good and not... stuff like that i have about 500$ to spend on everything for now... thanks for the help

buy the losi 8ght. Rtr. or robitronics rtr. only 280 for the protos by robitronic. Very durable. i crashed it into countless curbs. and nothing yet. orrrrrrr yeah idk. those are just my two i recommend

Hyper 7 black
http://www.nitrohouse.com/catalog/pr...oducts_id=9225
Will leave you enough for things like, glow plug starter, pit bottle, fuel and so on.

are you wanting to race ? or just play around ?

check out Ofna they have the best options from basher to full race and many in between

Caster Racing.... Their rtrs are notorious for winning on the track and they have the thickest shock towers for maximum durability.....

Equal to Losi and Mugen with the new lines.....

+1 for Ofna Hyper 7 Black Edition. $300 RTR (or less). Just about unbreakable, good .21 motor, nice car. I got one a few months ago, put in better servos (stripped stock one 3 times, futaba S148 gears fit it) and have almost 2 gallons through mine. My brother in law also just got one for xmas. Great buggy especially for the price.

i like my robitronic protos as well. very good quality for the price. easy to start and has a lot of punch. cant beat it.

I second the hyper 7. I have one and the only thing that has ever broken on it was the front holder and front plate. It was a $12 fix. The only reason it broke was because I got a loose battery and the car ran away into a rod iron pole at full speed. I would consider a head on collision at full speed and only a $12 fix, pretty damn good. I have put almost 2 gallons through the engine and have no problems. I upgraded both throttle and steering servo, wheels and tires, and the radio. I also got a rechargable battery for it. Pretty damn good car for the money. I would recomend it.

+1

with a $500 budget you are stuck to rtr for now but can always upgrade later. caster has very good rtr's and are very easily and inexpensively upgraded if you want (don't need really) but radio gear and motor will always be changed down the road.

+2 Ive been happy with caster products so far. really close to par with mugen.
Turns on a dime also.