Nope, it has nothing to do with my wallet, it is just a better buggy plain and simple. Put both of them side by in front of your own eyes or anyone's and they will see it. People judge on what they have never seen most of the time, just going by pics or a name. I could care less if the person buys from me. It is not my living I make from RC. I will show other website's that he can buy from instead of me if you wish. I will post every Hobby shop I know that sells Caster so a person can shop around if they ask. Everyone else here pushes what they drive HARD HARD HARD all the time. Just because I have a small shop make is different. GROW UP. Everyone is a big man behind a keyboard and likes to start trouble. Just people posting opinions and people have to take it all out of context. See the difference with me over say... YOU or others here is I POST THE REASONS WHY A PRODUCT IS BETTER. GET IT? Give the person legitimate reasons for making a purchase over another car and REAL REASONS, NOT just "its fast, I hit a wall full speed and it did not break, its the best hands down" all stupid reasons like that. Say something USEFULL is what people want to here when they start threads like this.

And to you DrDremel. Like I said above why not state the reasons you feel that way? I assure you its better then some on his list. When did you have the Caster buggies and which ones exactly. You just say they felt cheap and dissapointing. Same as me saying a brand just sucks and not give a reason. If I really cared about my pocket I would not want you to say what you thought was bad on the cars. Every car has problems. I race an average of almost twice a week and go to big events and run in the PRO class with my Casters and very rarely spend alot of money at all on them. Very few breakages I must say.

Well, I played around with the ZX-1 RTR and the fusion RTR. The ZX-1 seemed alright as far as the chassis....the engine was rubbish, and the radio gear HAD to be swapped before the buggy was ever even started. But once the electronics were swapped, it seemed....bleh. It just honestly wasn't to my taste, reminded me a lot of a mugen, and I never really like mugens. The fusion on the other hand was the true dissapointment to me.... The chassis completely bent up on itself the first night at the track. Maybe it was just a flawed chassis, it happens with every brand every once in a blue moon. But I saw another fusion melt its ESC and take everything with it the same night..... And I heard from a few others that the ESC's are prone to causing those issues..... But, to caster's credit, I also heard they do a pretty decent job on standing behind their errors, I couldn't say, I don't have anything from caster now, just Jammin, O'Donnell, and Associated.

[/quote]
I will show other website's that he can buy from instead of me if you wish. I will post every Hobby shop I know that sells Caster so a person can shop around if they ask.
[/quote]

so could you please list some online stores shops that sell caster or other good quality cars?
and i am wondering what does this package include? does it come with any starting box or roto starter?
the price is really attractive.

I have been following this thread since day 1. King, you have a lot of choices. If it was me, I would have bought a buggy by now. You can't go wrong with whatever you buy. You need the skills to be able to tune the motor right and you won't be able to do that until you actually get to touch one. Then you will need tools and skills to be able to wrench on the buggy.

The bottom line is, if you buy an RTR kit you will need to replace the radio and servos (minimum of steering servo). Tires also make a difference in being competitive. Aside from a properly setup buggy, it's driver skill that makes a difference. As others here have said, a good driver with RTR hyper 7 can overtake lesser drivers with $1000 buggies.

Stormer hobbies carries only the electric fusion line, so that probably would not help. Modhobby sells Caster.

Thast true, do i have to replace the radio and servos? since i am not planning to race in the near future, just looking for a easy to fix, durable, good reputation and long lasting buggy to have fun with.

[quote]ORIGINAL: King.Cong.1119



You don't have to replace anything. You can run an RTR as is. With my buggy I only replaced the steering servo when it broke and I replaced it with a $35 hitec645MG, which is way better than stock. I replaced the tires as they got worn...you'll get the experience once you start messing with it..

you can't go wrong with any ofna buggy. They have good parts support in my experience.

You dont have to replace the stock radio & servos, but the servos (especially the Ofna) are far from adequate. the steering servo will go out quickly, and the throttle/brake servo will start to fade very quickly. The Ofna radios are crap plain & simple. If your gonna buy any RTR and you dont plan to upgrade your electronics then my advice to you is spend a little extra money and get a good fail safe. I can almost w/o a doubt tell you that you will experience a run away. nothing worse then getting your new buggy and then having it runoff on you and crash into a curb, tree, wall,etc. thats why everyone here says make sure you at least upgrade your radio. they know from experience and dont want you to find out the expensive way. if you have a runaway there is a chance that you will need to spend a lot of $$$ to repair the car that just crashed, when u could just spend that $$$ on a new radio and not have to worry about it. I own an Ofna rtr, I love it! but the first thing i did was got a new radio(w/ built in failsafe) and servos.

Wow, that sucks, i guess i will have to spend a little more on the radios then, so is there any good quality radio system that you would recommand? the cheaper the better.
Sorry for having so many questions.

Before you start flipping out, let me explain. The Caster looks like a great buggy for $275, but again, LOOKS. I have never seen anyone at the track with a Caster buggy. That is why I don't try to push people to buy something, but EVERY what to buy thread you ALWAYS mention Caster. 4/5 of the racers in socal run Losi.

And to King.Cong.1119, Find a couple buggies you like. Look at all of them and analzye them and their features. Then get 1 or 2 that you really like. Search on forums like rcu and rctech and their pros/cons and what to watch out for. Then buy the one with the best feedback and least amount of problems. Don't let someone you don't even know tell you that you have to buy this car. Buy what you want and you will be happy.

Go with one of the OFNA RTR's. Only upgrade the radio parts as you see fit. I have had the OFNA 9.5 and still own a Hyper 7 PBS. Both great buggies and for bashing around stock servos are good enough. If you want to race seriously - then upgrade the electronics later.

As for everyone else - let's grow up and stop bashing each other.

Hyper 7 is better than the CEN IMHO, better parts availability

Sorry about the ebay links, I'll get em gone... Kong there are some super deals on ebay right now for used hyper 7 buggies... PM me for info

the first 2 would be pretty good, I actually am trying to not bid on it myself.. I really want those odonnel shocks, but I keep telling myself leave it for someone who has a desire to get a good starter car...

Anyways, there is an up side to used rollers or even that used RTR... when you go with used you generally can get lucky and score on a cheap ride that has mods already done, hop ups installed, or like with my Hyper, I found a diamond in the rough, think looked like a complete wreck... as it turned out it was a Race Hyper with a ton of aftermarket stuff the guy selling it thought the kickup in front was a bent chassis tore the front end apart and gave up on it sold it to me for 70 bucks... I then bought 450 bucks in NIB parts off the same guy for 150 and got him to throw in a new body and green dress kit. I then scored a hyper .21 motor for 80, exhuast for 32, new shocks for 25, and after slapping it together have a pretty damn good looking buggy with all the race ready hop ups for under 400 bucks...

Another point to getting a used buggy is that you will learn your vehicle alot better as you build it up, beleive me I had someone strongly encourage me to do that and I am glad I did! I can now tear down and rebuild any 1/8th scale truggy or buggy in no time!

the last point to used being good is that is you total the thing which can happen since you aren't used to the wild acceleration and overall higher skill level to run a buggy, and believe me a wrek only takes a blink of an eye or a quick glance at the hottie crossing the street, and bam hit by a car, slam into a curb, launched off a jump into som ungodly place LOL! these things are that quick, and it is alot less painful when you can say "oh well it only cost me a hundred bucks" versus having to say "I am ruined I just detroyed my 500.00 buggy!!!!"

In reference to your Radio question anyone who knows will tell you to try to get at least a 2.4 Ghz system... I personally use the DX3S system and have 2 I like the telemetry function that tells me engine temp, rpm/mph battery levels, etc.. plus it is rock solid performance, I do not get glitches, i have a built in failsafe, and very precise control of the vehicle. Now I am not saying to go out and get a DX3S right away, but the money you save on buying a used buggy could go to a system like that, and believe me when I tell you buggies will come and go, but a good radio you will keep and use again and again! put your money there is my suggestion...

also if you just intend to bash, you may want to look at OFNA ultra series Buggies, they are made to be beaten, I have had 3 of them while learning, and they are gluttons for abuse, you can pick those up really cheap these days on ebay...

Whatever you decide you need to do the homework and determine what will be best for you everyone's recommendations are good here, and I love how everyone has "their" brand they love. so you can get to see which products are really good on the entry level scale...

hope this helps!!!

Oh and if you want to see the "diamond in the rough" Hyper 7 I mentioned look at this thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8896885/tm.htm

sorry about my last post messing with the screen formatting dunno why it did that?

Sorry - I had to edit the posts. Ebay links are not allowed.

my apologies, won't happen again...

i guess you are right, would you mind pm me the ebay links? i appreciate it.

links sent... hope it helps you!

If you think you might like to go racing in the not so distant future, NitroHouse currently has the [link=http://www.nitrohouse.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=OFNA&products_id=11156]Jammin CR X1x Ready to Run 1/8 Buggy[/link] on sale for $299.95. Note however the engine is not legal for sanctioned races and as stated many times, the radio system and steering servo will need upgrading ASAP....

You do know I provided links in the EXAMPLE of my first reply? Its not top shelf stuff, lord knows you could spend LOTZ MOE DOUGH, but none of it is worthless junk either..
The Spektrum Radio System and Hytec servo's previously listed (again below) will resolve all the electronic glitch's. FYI, Hytec servo's have a lifetime warrantee- if/when they fail, hytec will repair or replace for free, you just pay S&H.

As some others and I have suggested, check out Ofna's line of Ultra buggies. Given the right driver and chassis set up, the current LX-1 with c-hub suspension (front) is no slouch on most club tracks. However, the MBX, MBX Comp or MBX Pro w/ pillow ball suspension (front) is a bit more durable for beating and bashing about IMO. Note: The MBX R-2 is Ofna's only Ultra off road buggy Kit, and its is equipped with PBS both front and rear ($50.00 upgrade right there). As for anything OFNA related, www.nitrohouse.com is your #1 source for sales and service.
Contrary to popular belief, Ofna has exceptional customer service and stand behind what they sale for manufacturer defects. And just like most other manufacturers and/or suppliers, Ofna doesn't cover stupidity or stuff purchased from unauthorized sources (private sellers on e-bay for example).

If all you intend to do is bash, you might consider buying a Truggy. IMO they are far more capable and very satisfying "Off Road" bashing machines.

Best buggy you can buy for the money is the OFNA PICCO.only 300 bucks and it has the pbs suspension and a .21 pico motor.this has got the be there best offering and it ooks better too,we at least i think it does.

By the way, the Caster RTR is not $275 normally, he is just selling one last kit before the new ones are available. They are normally $400-450 and worth every penny of it.

Anyone who has owned any legitimate rtr and is in the market for a new rtr buggy, let me know. I am so tired of hearing "everyone runs XXX brand" "I haven't seen a Caster" etc.....

I will shoot you an unforgettable price, sell you a buggy, and then expect a written report after owning the Caster for a few weeks with updates. The car will prove itself compared to anyone elses out there, but I want people who have experience with some other brand.

Anyone wanna play Joe Reporter?

As for DrDremel, it would be obvious that if you don't like Mugen, then you would hate Caster. That is like saying you hate a Yukon Denali because it reminds you of a Tahoe and you own a Durango.

As for a chassis plate bending, we did have 3 people taco their chassis plates and we replaced them. I think it was because of the angle of the bends for the batt trays being not enough on the first batch.

As for the fire. The only Caster I know of was in Florida and was because of an incorrectly installed Speedpassion system. We have had 3 of our rtr fusions come back with smoked escs and they ere replaced under warranty. I am not sure if it was because they got shorted out on the plate over the center diff or if the motor was getting too hot and taking it out. Either way, the esc was not made by Caster and it was covered for those customers. We have since changed motors and have not had any issues since.

We also have new radio systems. I agree the original ones were not very good and we now proudly chalk it up as another problem solved, but I think it shouldn't have been one to begin with.

only people without a car, or that are unhappy with their car would take that offer. So of course it would be the best buggy ever, to them.

Absolutely not true. It is a 50/50 shot for us and people change brands all the time. We have had people leave Kyosho, Mugen, Losi, Xray, etc... for Caster even in mid year if they are racers, and we have lost a few to Tamiya and TQ Racing just because they wanted to try something new and different. Alot of times it has nothing to do with the brand or service. Example...How many people went out and bought a hot bodies just because it won worlds this year? I can answer that question...alot.

How many people here have only driven 1 brand of real car? I personally have owned a few of each Ford, Chevy, and Dodge.....

But if people are saying that they are concerned about the Caster because they have never seen one, then here is a perfect opportunity for me to prove a point. Unfortunately in this economy, lots of hobby stores are not expanding, therefore, we are not getting into lhs as easily, but we are expanding and we are in a fortunate position where we can ride through the economical storm of 2009 and beyond if necessary.

However, if you believe in credibility, Stormer Hobbies has been around since 1986 and they have picked up our line including parts as has Modhobby, Nitro Country RC, and of course, Holeshot Hobbies.

If you want, I can extend the offer to first time buyers, but it is hard to get a valuable opinion when there is no previous experience. This customer might bash for a month and never break a part because they think it is more fragile that it really is and not do anything hard to it, or maybe they will hit a tree wide open and break some parts and say it is junk, even though any other brand would do the same. I am looking for honest feedback, not a sale of a car.

You know one guy Caster sponsored, Brian Daw? He quit the team before even trying out the cars. Alot of other people did that to.....Why do you think alot of people quit the team?