Looking for help selecting a new nitro buggy

[danl]

Hello all, I was away from the hobby for 30 years but got back into it 1.5 years ago with an electric vehicle. I've since added a couple more electric vehicles to my collection. When I got out of the hobby in the mid 90's I had an RC10GT. I mainly got out of the hobby because that truck was not reliable for what I was trying to use it for, mainly backyard thrashing.

Now that I am older and have more money, the reliability isn't as big of an issue. I was watching the Razor RC channel where he did a nitro buggy shootout. Before watching his and others reviews, I was leaning towards the Kyosho inferno Neo 4.0. They also have the Inferno MP10 readyset. Either one would work for me with the latter having a slightly better parts spec.

I do like the other offerings, specifically the HPI Vorza but I am concerned about stock and parts availability. Also the engine seems a bit weaker. The Kyosho seems to get top marks for its RTR engine and to be fair, this is the main reason I want a nitro buggy, the engine.

Any tips on things i need to consider, spare parts I should order, etc. are greatly appreciated.

 

[fstnd]

As someone who never touched a Kyosho, Novarossi or serious RC brand, I think HPI really isn't a bad choice. I have two HPI savages and one HPI truggy. Parts support is alright but I never even really needed it, and I bash my non-vintage RCs pretty hard
Regarding the engine, they are pretty powerful imo.

 

[81exige]

what's your budget and do you prefer building from scratch?

 

[CertifiedMike]

Hello all, I was away from the hobby for 30 years but got back into it 1.5 years ago with an electric vehicle. I've since added a couple more electric vehicles to my collection. When I got out of the hobby in the mid 90's I had an RC10GT. I mainly got out of the hobby because that truck was not reliable for what I was trying to use it for, mainly backyard thrashing.

Now that I am older and have more money, the reliability isn't as big of an issue. I was watching the Razor RC channel where he did a nitro buggy shootout. Before watching his and others reviews, I was leaning towards the Kyosho inferno Neo 4.0. They also have the Inferno MP10 readyset. Either one would work for me with the latter having a slightly better parts spec.

I do like the other offerings, specifically the HPI Vorza but I am concerned about stock and parts availability. Also the engine seems a bit weaker. The Kyosho seems to get top marks for its RTR engine and to be fair, this is the main reason I want a nitro buggy, the engine.

Any tips on things i need to consider, spare parts I should order, etc. are greatly appreciated.

The MP11 might be something to consider too. Its beautiful!!!

Kyosho is an excellent choice!!!

 

[81exige]

what's your budget and do you prefer building from scratch?

also, if buying (almost) RTR, I'd suggest having a look at used race cars, since racers will often retire their current rigs for new ones.

8th scale race level buggies can be ridiculously tough (with maybe an exception or two) since they have to survive 45-minute race heats that entail all sorts of mishaps, so even if you don't see yourself racing any time soon, they can still serve as fun cars to thrash around with.

 

[ohsnap]

also, if buying (almost) RTR, I'd suggest having a look at used race cars, since racers will often retire their current rigs for new ones.

8th scale race level buggies can be ridiculously tough (with maybe an exception or two) since they have to survive 45-minute race heats that entail all sorts of mishaps, so even if you don't see yourself racing any time soon, they can still serve as fun cars to thrash around with.

The above post is dead on.
While HPI has a place in my heart, like Certified, I would lean towards one of the Kyosho products.
I've picked up a couple of older/used Kyosho 7.5 Infernos over the winter to run this season myself...

 

[danl]

I would entertain a used mp10/11 ex race buggy but I don’t enjoy searching and then negotiating. Plus there is the risk of getting something that has a defect that I can’t see before purchase like a bad engine or diff. I would also need a starter box. Some race cars are sold as rollers, so I would need an engine/pipe also. Then add in no warranty and it’s just not worth it to me.

The HPI vorza truggy is not in stock right now that I can find. That concerns me because if they can’t stock the truck, how are they going to be with parts. I like the truggy as is comes with a bigger engine.

The Kyosho mp10 readyset and neo 4.0 are out of stock as well, but that might be changing. Any inferno would be getting truggy tires after break in.

 

[ohsnap]

The HPI vorza truggy is not in stock right now that I can find. That concerns me because if they can’t stock the truck, how are they going to be with parts. I like the truggy as is comes with a bigger engine.

The Kyosho mp10 readyset and neo 4.0 are out of stock as well, but that might be changing. Any inferno would be getting truggy tires after break in.

I would not consider it a sacralize to put truggy tires onto a buggy, but I suspect handling issues due to the geometry.

Even though I wanted to suggest a truggy, I was focused on answering your "Nitro Buggy" title, so I stayed with the buggy theme in my initial response, but now that you opened that can of fuel...

How about?
A Hobao Hyper SST 1/8 Truggy w/30 Turbo Engine RTR - HB-SST-C30RG
In stock on eBay for $517 + tax, and it also show up as being in stock elsewhere.

 

[danl]

I had seen the Hobao brand in my search but admittedly don’t know much about them.

In the USA where can I get Hobao parts? 80% of my orders are through hobby recreational products or Amain. I prefer something I can get parts from either and bonus if Jenny’s carries the model or a related model. I wait until a couple cars need parts, then make one large order from a single vendor at a time. Works well for me.

Perhaps truggy isn’t the correct term. I would like the option to put taller more aggressive tires on a buggy, as it gets the car above the grass. I do this on my electric 1/8 scale buggy and like it a lot. Kyosho used to sell a truggy inferno themselves on the older mp9 chassis I think it was.

 

[ohsnap]

I had seen the Hobao brand in my search but admittedly don’t know much about them.

In the USA where can I get Hobao parts? 80% of my orders are through hobby recreational products or Amain. I prefer something I can get parts from either and bonus if Jenny’s carries the model or a related model. I wait until a couple cars need parts, then make one large order from a single vendor at a time. Works well for me.

Perhaps truggy isn’t the correct term. I would like the option to put taller more aggressive tires on a buggy, as it gets the car above the grass. I do this on my electric 1/8 scale buggy and like it a lot. Kyosho used to sell a truggy inferno themselves on the older mp9 chassis I think it was.

Hobao - Think Ofna.
It is my understanding that Hobao manufactured most if not all Ofna vehicles.


Google searches:
"HoBao USA is the primary source for Hobao truggy parts in the USA, offering a wide selection for 1/8 Hyper SST (Electric/Nitro) and 10TT models, including chassis components, differentials, and suspension parts.
Jennys RC also sells parted-out new items, while specialized upgrades are available from Nitro Hobbies.

Hobao Parts Sold Direct | eBay Official Site
Looking For Hobao Parts? We Have Almost Everything On eBay. But Did You Check eBay? Check Out Hobao Parts On eBay. Buyer Protection Program. Top Brands. Featured Collections. Huge Selection."

I did a quick eBay check and parts looked to be readily available.


This will be the first year that I'm going to run a buggy, so I haven't (yet) tried putting taller truggy tires on one.

My buddy and I run (race one another) over a combination dirt and grass course - so I'll have to deal with a similar grass issue as you.
Since I haven't yet tried it, and truggies have longer A-arms, I've been wondering how the taller tires could affect a buggies handling.
Hence my questioning geometry (and thus handling).
He cuts the grass as short as he can without killing it and addresses the running over the grass issue with his Inferno by jacking up the suspension.

 

[danl]

I ended up ordering a Kyosho MP10 readyset when I saw them come in stock at Kyosho USA. They used to come with a Force brand engine but mine came with a Hyper brand engine which appears to be a house brand of Hobao? Anyways it came with the updated COPS pull start system which I like. It can be converted to the roto start system if I want to. If this works out well I can see myself ordering a HoBao in a year. Is https://nitrohobbies.com/ a safe place to order from?

 

[CertifiedMike]

Nitrohobbies looks like a legit site but I haven't ordered there.

Congrats on your new buggy!!!