I'm wondering what will be a fast and fun Nitro RC but yet still affordable to maintain and repair?

Ofna Jammin X1x http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...-4WD-RTR-Buggy (unfortunately on back order again at amainhobbies which is the cheapest place to get it. It was in stock last week cause someone asked and I looked )
Ofna Hyper 7 (again on back order) http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXRUS1&P=ML

Big pro is the hyper 7 comes with a 2.4ghz radio, either will need a stronger steering servo (almost all RC's do) which will cost $30 (hitech 645mg is a decent one look on ebay usually can find em new for under $30 shipped)

Those both have decent engines (like the one in the jammin more though but that is just me) that should be easy to tune. Also those 2 buggies break very FEW parts. My jammin is still pretty much stock outside the servo, and radio after 2 years.

Below that is redcats, which IMO are not good for someone just entering the hobby as their 1st nitro, or only RC. One the engines are questionable some people get a great one, some get a lemon, and parts support is no where near as high. Also parts are not as durable from what I seen. In the end for a comparable RC to the ones I linked from redcat you will be paying about $30 under them. There is also exceed but their customer service department is like that capital one commercial with "Peggy"

that was me wanting a buggy but right before i went to order bam out of stock. Now I am playing the waiting game on the Jamming & the Hyper 7. Tower has a $50.00 off code so the Hyper comes to $259.99 & the Jamming at amain comes to 275 with $25.00 off.

I wanted to get myself a buggy this week for around 280 or less but now that might not happen lol

Don't rush into something cheaper just so you can get it now. Either of these 2 buggies mentioned are well worth the wait!

yea seen a few people rush into the redcat backdraft and say how much they love it than 4 months later post they wish they waited, and spent the $25 more
When I ordered my Jammin I waited over a month for them to get in stock (it was a really of time)