$350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

I am a newbie. I have $350 to burn on an nitro RTR buggy. Then over months i want to put some bucks into it. Which RTR to get that is good from the box and easy to change parts and do upgrades on? I would like to get into some local races with it (after i learn how to drive it). Will $350 RTR get me somewhere when it comes to local / club type of racing?

Thanks.

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

I would start off with the Hyper 7 TQ Black. Best sub-$350 RTR buggy you can get for club racing. Tons of upgrades, comes with a race legal .21 engine, tons of parts support, and is a very tough buggy. The first upgrade you will want to do is a good steering servo and a good remote. After that, a good high power .21 when the one that comes with it wears out (you should get at least 3 gallons of fuel through it before it needs to be re-built or replaced).

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

I all so recommend the Hyper 7 TQ Black!

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

any suggestion for which brand to start?

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

as long as you stay with known brands like kyosho losi ofna Team Associated mugen xray cen ect, you should be fine.

As for the thread starter, it makes me uneasy to think you wanna start off your hobby with only 350. I know i'm coming off as a pr!ck but its all coming from personal experience. When i was 14/15 years old i would do the same thing, I'd get 400 bucks for Christmas and get a buggy or something. The truth is, 400 is no where near enough cash to start out with. I mean sure you can get the hyper 7 buggy for about 300. but then you need fuel, glowplugs, glow igniter, batteries, cash for broken parts (it will happen eventually). My best advice is to take your 350 bucks, be patient, cut some grass or get a job, save up about 500 or even 600, then buy your buggy. You will be much happier with the hobby and you'll be prepared when something goes wrong. I'm just tryin to look out for you and make your experience the best it can be.

But if you must get one right now, then yes the hyper 7 is definitely the best buggy you can get for your 350 bucks. back in the day, the hyper 7 was one of the premier buggies. :) hope we helped ya:D

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

I realize there will be extra expenses for at least another $100 to $200 within next month after purchasing the buggy. I have the money, but i am not in control of it. I have wife. lol. The strategy is to get the buggy for pre-approved amount by wife (up to $350), then "unexpectedly" i will need few additional items, upgrades and repairs. What can she say? lol

You have to be careful how you approach a wife with something like a RC buggy.

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

Agree...Hyper 7. All the way.

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

thats a good plan with the wife, i boought a hyper 7 years ago and loved it. I now have a rc8t ft truggy and a hyper st mini both sitting doing nothing because i got another hyper7. They are bombproof and very forgiving,just stay away from the version with the macstar28 engine...

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

If the wife is happy everyone is happy :)

While i have everyone's attention, who can explain to me or provide some good link for an article about how the gear ratios work, etc. I understand the basic idea of the gears and ratios, but i want to know which number represents what exactly.

Also whats up with the 3 differentials, 6 differentials, etc....the more the better i assume?

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

you will not need to mess with the clutch bell/spur gear ratios for now but the more teeth on the clutch bell(the one on the end of the engine)the faster the buggies top speed but the acceleration is slower, the 13tooth clutch bell on the hyper 7 is fine.
all 1/8 buggies have 3 differentials front/center and rear, they distribute the power between the for wheels. Once you get a buggy the instructions will make this very clear.. oh and dont worry it is nowhere as complicated as it sounds. any more questions feel free to ask and good luck with what you buy.

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

Here is a link to everything you would ever want to know about RC buggy/truggy tuning (including diffs).

http://users.telenet.be/elvo/

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

Your thread and the answers regarding the Hyper 7 TQ Black made me ask a couple of questions of my own about OFNA buggies. Mostly, what are the differences between their many choices :) That thread is here if you have any interest.

Spiro

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_86...tm.htm#8620129

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

I wholeheartedly agree. Hyper 7 TQ Black. I purchased mine from Nitrohouse.com delivered to my door $280. I've raced it and beat the HELL out of it. The things a damn Abrams tank...

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

No joke, I have the TQ sport, and I can't break it even when I try. Mine has spent almost as much time on it's top and sides as the tires have on the ground....lol.....

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

give it few more bucks and get a Robitronic R39071 MANTIS 1/8 TRUGGY RTR RBOR39071

or you can always look for the other ones.

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

I thought they had discontinued that thing?

RE: $350 or less nitro RTR 1/8 buggy
 

Nope. Those are still for sell. We also have the new Mantis TXS (R39074).