Budget Rtr Help

[Ericke1]

I'm looking for a budget (not more than $350-400) Nitro 1/8 RTR Buggy. I dont plan on racing but just driving it in parking lots, and I would prefer something that is not loud and doesn't require a startup box but is STOCK FAST. I originally ordered from Tower Hobbies the Duratrax Axis but thanks to your posts here returned the car to Tower today without even trying it. I then was looking at the Inferno Sport RTR and again from the much appreciated guidance of the folks here and the price of buggy decided to instead put a backorder request with Tower Hobbies for the Ofna Ultra MBX Pro RTR for $329 ($20 coupon).

I see all the recommendations for the GS Storm or the HYPER 7 but these vehicles costs more than $549 (I dont want to take a chance and purchase it from EBAY even if less because of warranty/return issues). Is there any car I'm not looking at and should cosider? I originally looked at the Lightning RTR but I think the OFNA has more hop up parts.

So if I could get your help with the following:

1. Is there another 1/8 buggy I should consider?
2. If I purchase the Ultra MBX Pro RTR, for my purposes, are the only required short-term hop-ups a steering servo, the Hitec 645mg enough (since this works with the stock radio)?
3. I downloaded the manual for the MBX and it says not to use O.S 8 Glow plugs-which is what I ordered, do I have to return this or will they work?
4. Can I use Duratrax 20% fuel for this buggy?
5. I noticed a product called Ofna Fail Safe but tower advertises this product has having futaba connectors, not Airtronics connectors. The Ofna Website, however, states this product has universal connectors. Should I get the Fail Safe and if so will it work with the stock radio?

HELP!

 

[tbsleeper]

do not use the OS glow plugs! or teh MC-59 i think it is. ofna suggests using 20% blue thunder and if u can't get the failsafe thing straightened out just get a venom failsafe. good luck. o yea if ur going to use it on parking lots get a set of onroad tires

 

[Error401]

I run an OS 8 in my Sirio, and it has no problems. I've also run Duratrax Carbon and Golgs in Hyper 21 8 ports and Picco 26's. What's so magical about the MC-59?

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

The OS 8 and McCoy MC59 have seen my engines and both are great plugs!

 

[vbgagnon]

here is the best prices that i could find....

Hyper 7 RTR 449.95 free shipping

http://www.ultimatehobbies.com//p391.html

Hyper 7 PCR 479.95 they might still have it for 433. they are temp sold out but you could give them a call.

http://www.ultimatehobbies.com//p391.html

hope this helps.

VB

 

[tbsleeper]

well the force .26 and .25 i think that comes in the mbx pro is not suppose to see the OS #8 or the MC-59. dont ask me why but thats what it says in the force .26 manual. no idea why thats just what it says!

 

[Diver6127]

I have no problems using OS #8 plugs in my engine. Then again my engines are OS. Use the plugs that the manufacturer recomends. When you get replacement plugs of another brand, just make sure temp and plug type are of equal specs.

 

[Ericke1]

Thank You but Some Questions Left Unanswered

Thanks for the replies but we havent answered all the questions. So far I'm getting the impression that the Hyper 7 is worth the 100 dollar difference and I shouldnt use or can use the OS 8 plugs.

Please help, should I go ahead with the Ultra MBX Pro or should I get the Hyper 7. The MBX Pro is 329 and the Hyper 7 459. Also many of my other questions still left unanswered.

 

[tbsleeper]

basically if u get a force .26 or force .25 listen to my post. anything else i do not know

 

[brijp]

I bought the GS Storm off of ebay and didn't have a problem. There are two good ones listed on there now. One is $379 new, and one is $299 looks slighty used but the guy is including some nice extras with it. Don't be too worried about purchasing off ebay, just be sure to check the seller's rating. Also these are buy it now prices not bids.

 

[cbreaker]

If you get a buggy new from ebay the warranty should be valid, but it depends I guess.

In my experience, warranty repairs for these things would really only be the radio and the engine. Unless either are DOA, good luck getting warranty repair on say, a broken servo or a broken suspension arm. They break, it's the nature of it.

But at any rate, the Ofna MBX Pro isn't a bad little buggy. My friend has one, and it is very similar to the Violator. Much of the same arrangement of parts and the same engine. Of course, it's not wider with a bigger gas tank like the violator. You'll get a pull start instead of the shaft start thing, but pull starts aren't bad once you break it in.

The shock towers are thick, and the Force26 isn't a bad runner. For the price, it's a very acceptable buggy.

There's not a huge aftermarket for the MBX pro, not like the 9.5's or others. I do not know if parts from other ofna buggies will fit the MBX pro but they might (things like CV's might) since it's so similar to the 9.5.

The radio isn't that good, unfortunately. I wish Ofna would include a better radio with their buggies. It will get the job done and the range is fine, but it's very cheezy in feel and it's AM. Even a nicer AM radio would have been nice.

The one thing you really must upgrade is the steering servo. The radio includes two 40oz servos and Ofna uses them both in the buggy. 40oz is not enough to turn a fast off road vehicle. The Hitec 645 you suggested will be fine and will work with your stock radio.

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use the Diratrax 20% nitro, unless it's for airplanes or something.

My friend got the Ofna failsafe for his Violator and it worked fine with the stock radio. You definately want one of these.

I hope you keep in mind that the buggy just won't be that fast on the pavement. Not as fast as the street cars. If you're going to be doing a lot of pavement you might consider the Ofna two speed clutch if it will fit the MBX Pro.

 

[agjell]

The Ultra MBX Pro RTR seems like a great buy for $330. Another option is the regular OFNA 9.5 RTR. It has all the features of the Ultra MBX Pro RTR except for the 2 extra tires. In addition it has full ball bearings, better suspension and installed fail-safe. I dont know if its worth the $70 extra (found it for $400 at Ace Hardware Hobbies), thats up to you to decide

Good luck with whatever car you get! I was also considering the Ultra MBX Pro but I think I'm ending up with the Hyper 7 PBS, mostly because of all the warm recommendations on this and other forums.

 

[Ericke1]

Thanks

You guys have all been great, from Ace I'm able to get the HYPER 7 PBS RTR for 440, or the Ofna 9.5 RTR for 399.99 or the 9.5 Violator RTR for 409. Help quick, I want to buy one of these today or should I stick with the ULTRA MBX PRO?

 

[wiita]

I got a 9.5 for my wife...
It's the best trade I ever made!!

wiita

 

[tbsleeper]

get the 9.5 violater!

 

[Ericke1]

Thanks

I ordered the Ofna 9.5 Violator Buggy and the hitech 645mg servo from Tower instead of Ace because the difference was $20 and I know Tower is solid with taking care of any problems and I could tell from their website they had the car in stock.

Questions I still have:

1. Can I use the oS 8 long glowplugs. I called ofna and they said the reason not to use the OS 8 glowplugs is they are too short?

2. I ordered the Airtronics connector for the Hitech High Speed Servo. When I called OFNA they said they switched the radio to Futaba? Since I already placed the order, do I need to get the Futaba connector or will the Airtronics servo plug work-Ofna says it will but these guys seem confused to me.

3. Anybody have a good site/link for helping with initial startup of the car, I dont know all the terms for the hobby so I need something very basic to help start the car and tune it.

Thanks.

 

[agjell]

It really depends on the budget, and you can't really go wrong with any of them. Personally I'm getting the PBS because of the suspension, but I'm sure the Violator would have done just as good for me.

 

[tbsleeper]

go to tower hobbies and get the traxxas heavy duty glow plug or a fox glow plug. there are some others but i really like the traxxas heavy duty. theyre like 4 each and you get the fast shipping because its parts express