Thoughts about this 2nd hand buggy 1/8?

[Sr.OjeteSuzio]

I made a post a few days ago asking for an option to get initiated in the hobby.

After checking a lot I figured out I don't want to spend that much money ( around 1300) in the begining of something that I still don't know. So I am checking for 2nd hand options.

Didn't see nothing apparently interesting in rctech and I found this in an app. It has an (insurance? I dont know the word). If it's not like the seller said or something doesn't work they refund me my money.

It is a Mugen mbx8. Includes everything what you see in the pictures and the price is 450:

 

[Greywolf74]

I made a post a few days ago asking for an option to get initiated in the hobby.

After checking a lot I figured out I don't want to spend that much money ( around 1300) in the begining of something that I still don't know. So I am checking for 2nd hand options.

Didn't see nothing apparently interesting in rctech and I found this in an app. It has an (insurance? I dont know the word). If it's not like the seller said or something doesn't work they refund me my money.

It is a Mugen mbx8. Includes everything what you see in the pictures and the price is 450:
View attachment 209663View attachment 209664View attachment 209665View attachment 209666View attachment 209667View attachment 209668

Buying used when you're new to the hobby isn't something I'd generally recommend. A lot of the time, you end up inheriting someone else's problem(s) they couldnt/didnt want to fix, and that is usually a real ballbreaker for someone new to the hobby. That being said, if you're mechanically inclined and good at troubleshooting, then you may be fine with it. Either that, or you could get lucky and pick up something with little to no issue. That looks like its been owned by someone who races so hopefully its well maintained and they are just getting rid of it because they picked up the latest model.

 

[ahr43]

It's clean. That's a plus straight away. Every nitro I've bought second hand off Ebay came packaged like it just came off a dirt track. Caked with fuel and dirt. So being clean goes a long way to at least giving you a good look. I'd say it worth consideration.

Personally owned a track ran an MBX-7 and really liked it. So, I'm partial to Mugen and they are good with parts support. Hope this helps. Good luck and welcome to RC. Be a difficult learning curve beginning with 1/8 nitro. But its doable. Lots of knowledgeable help on this site. If you do go second hand and it comes with a high power engine, set it aside for a while and invest a mild engine until you get the hang of tuning. -AC

 

[Sr.OjeteSuzio]

It's clean. That's a plus straight away. Every nitro I've bought second hand off Ebay came packaged like it just came off a dirt track. Caked with fuel and dirt. So being clean goes a long way to at least giving you a good look. I'd say it worth consideration.

Personally owned a track ran an MBX-7 and really liked it. So, I'm partial to Mugen and they are good with parts support. Hope this helps. Good luck and welcome to RC. Be a difficult learning curve beginning with 1/8 nitro. But its doable. Lots of knowledgeable help on this site. If you do go second hand and it comes with a high power engine, set it aside for a while and invest a mild engine until you get the hang of tuning. -AC

The engine is an Alpha dragon with 5 L

 

[Littlemotor]

Buying used is something I absolutely DO recommend (I actually DID in your other thread, as well as many other people’s threads who are new to the hobby), and it’s something I still will do today on occasion.

I don’t believe there is anything at all for me to need to “defend” about that statement when others disagree, either. The rewards far outweigh the possible risks in my opinion. When I first got into 1/8 nitro vehicles-it’s EXACTLY how I did it, and my knowledge of surface RC improved exponentially 1million% because of it.

Manuals are available online for every vehicle out there. You will spend less than HALF initially than buying brand new, you will STILL “build it” as you should FOR SURE go through it 100% top to bottom because EVERYONE has the capacity to be an idiot, and make mistakes during a build, or ownership/possible lack of maintenance, or abuse.

You also want to use a classified platform that shows feedback, and absolutely use PayPal (or similar-such as Venmo, etc) “Goods & Services”, or whatever transaction type has you covered 100% if something should go wrong with the deal (missing items, broken parts, far worse condition than advertised, blown engine, or never receiving your vehicle at all).

Find a vehicle that has a history of being reliable, and capable-that also has tremendous parts support.

Do your due diligence on checking out the seller, and be VERY clear on payment, shipping, etc. ALWAYS ask for MORE current photos-both to protect yourself/see as much as possible about what you’re buying, AND to be sure that the seller can actually PROVIDE THEM in the first place.

PLAN on, and EXPECT to drop $200 on it in repairs or simply MAINTENANCE right off the bat. If you don’t need to, then you’re ahead of the game, but also providing yourself with a REALISTIC plan from the very beginning.

Get a well documented, and detailed list/inventory outlining what is included in your deal, as well as upgrades, parts installed, and overall condition of the vehicle/parts/deal.

Get a well documented description of anything that is BROKEN, WORN, or MISSING, as well as items that may be in the photos, but not included.

IMHO-this is hands down the BEST way to enter 1/8 off-road ESPECIALLY. You just want to be smart about it, and be as diligent as possible. Again, it’s worked for me very well over the years, and helped me tremendously to get to the level I’m at today. I wouldn’t have had it any other way to be completely honest about it.

That being said-a Mugen MBX8 is an absolute BEAST of a buggy. Solid vehicle, with tremendous history for being very high quality, extremely DURABLE, and excellent parts support.

Alpha engines are great as well, and I’ve recommended them to newcomers on a consistent basis with good success too.

I’m happy to help with any further questions, or throughout your process in any way that I can.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Are parts availible for Mugen locally?
The buggy itself looks solid and pretty clean.
I have bought used cars and had it work out well and also not well.
The condition of this car would make me think the owner cared for it. I would certainly consider this as a good option.
This is keeping in mind that you are expected to disassemble, inspect and replace worn parts like @Littlemotor
described.
Do ask the seller for info like why they are selling it.
Ask if there are any known issues. You might get honest answers.
There IS risk in buying used like @Greywolf74 said as well.
If you weren't handy before you got into r/c, you will be soon. Maintaining your gear is part of the hobby, even more so if you're racing.
If this is your only option financially, do your research. If the answers feel good, I'd buy it.

 

[Ramp addict]

The used buggy plus the cost of getting to work right is the total cost of the buggy. Race trucks tend to be better maintained than bashers. Used bashers after you fix them are nearly always more expensive than if you got it new.

 

[Sr.OjeteSuzio]

Thank you very much guys! Really nice advices

 

[WickedFog]

I made a post a few days ago asking for an option to get initiated in the hobby.

After checking a lot I figured out I don't want to spend that much money ( around 1300) in the begining of something that I still don't know. So I am checking for 2nd hand options.

Didn't see nothing apparently interesting in rctech and I found this in an app. It has an (insurance? I dont know the word). If it's not like the seller said or something doesn't work they refund me my money.

It is a Mugen mbx8. Includes everything what you see in the pictures and the price is 450:
View attachment 209663View attachment 209664View attachment 209665View attachment 209666View attachment 209667View attachment 209668

That thing looks very clean, as if it was only used on indoor tracks. Just looking at the guy's setup in the background, the seller looks to be a huge RC nut. My guess is, that car has been very well maintained. There is some light rust buildup around some of the screw heads, but nothing terrible, and not enough to throw up any alarms. His shop might not be completely temp controlled. My dad's shop was, but only when he was in there working. So you'd see a little light rust form on fasteners like that. Just a little clue to the condition of things.

 

[Sr.OjeteSuzio]

Hi guys, I asked him for a video and this screws are missing. Is it normal?
@ahr43 @Littlemotor

 

[WickedFog]

View attachment 209840
Hi guys, I asked him for a video and this screws are missing. Is it normal?
@ahr43 @Littlemotor

Yup. Probably for some optional setup, or the same chassis is used for two different models. Fairly common to see extra holes.

 

[ahr43]

Hey, I recognize that bottom. I knew the bottom of my Mugen very well. Saw it a lot on the track. j/k MBX is a very stable and forgiving platform. And it holds its setup on the track.

If I felt there was any drawback, it was what seems an industry standard these days, Manu's use the shortest screws possible to fill a hole in a competitive effort to advertise lightest weight. I didn't do a global change on fastener lengths on my Mugen, but did attend to high-stress areas to ensure they had longer reach screws to fully fill the hole.

Don't dwell too long on considering a purchase. This Mugen may go quickly. If you get it post up some pix. Best of luck. -AC

[ Edit: Oh, and that's my Mugen avatar. Set up for on-road at a local track. That was a fun run. It's a versatile platform. ]

 

[Littlemotor]

View attachment 209840
Hi guys, I asked him for a video and this screws are missing. Is it normal?
@ahr43 @Littlemotor

As said above; completely normal. Missing, and not USED are two different things.