Extreme Hobby XHT-280 Monster Truck

[crash&burn]

Buying my first Nitro truck and check out the local shops and they all had different opinions on who makes the best truck.. Myself I like the Losi Aftershock, nice scale (big, not 1/10 like my electric stuff) they all have big motors, 4 wd, etc.. I did a little investigating an found the above truck on line, fairly cheap, made in China. The guys at the local shops all recommended not buying anything made in China, but when you look at the frame assembly, drive train, shocks, tire pattern, etc.. they look like same.... I compared the pic's, online manuals and part break down schematics for the two trucks.
My questions are as follows:
Does anybody have any experiences with the XHT-280. Good or bad.
Where is the Losi made. Would you spend the extra money for the Losi or would you buy something else.

 

[chelseafc385]

I once bought a nitro which was from china, it wasn't good and i couldnt start it when i needed to. Also i couldnt get any replacement parts. I bought it for £160 and sold it a month later for £40. Piece of junk. Just go with the known brands, that way you will get help and the parts that you need.

 

[Metallicats33]

I bet a lot of Losi parts fit on it, it looks like a LST1 clone, just like this one here: http://gadgetworldexports.en.made-in-china.com/product/FMvEpRibsmtG/China-Heng-Long-3850-2-1-8-Nitro-Powered-Land-Overlord-Off-Road-HENG-LONG-3850-2-.html

 

[Runaway Jim]

Don't buy it. It looks like parts will fit but something is always off and nothing ever fits quite right. A friend of mine got what he thought was a tmaxx, used, from some guy and as soon as he got it, it was clear it wasn't really a tmaxx. Trust me, it'll be more of a headache than it's worth...