XB8 or RC8???
 

Trying to decide between these 2 buggies??? I want to build a pure track buggy. I have been trying to make my Cen Matrix do double duty, but it just doesnt work well constantly chaging the setup around for bashing or track.

I have it narrowed down to these 2 for a top notch electric track vehicle. Any positives and negatives of each you folks could throw out would be great. Both seem to get steller reviews and havng a hard time picking a direction. They are both the same price around $500-$500 for the top level kit.

Also... Is the EC version of the XB8 worth the upgrade from the TQ version? How much different are they?

In terms of quality and durability, I'll take the XB8. For parts availability, affordable prices and service, thr RC8 is the way.

Bottomline: RC8, a very flexible buggy.

Tuffness is definitely a factor for me. I'm not the greatest driver and I tend to do alot of crashing and have more than my share of poor landings on jumps. That is the reason I went with the Cen the first time around. It is virtually bulletproof and can take anything I do to it. Is the RC8 not that tuff?

I do agree on the parts availability. The RC8 seems to be everywhere. One thing I am also thinking about is the XB8 is now in its 3rd generation of design refinement. It should be just about as dialed as it can be, the RC8 on the other hand was just released a couple months ago so it kinda the state of the art right now and may be a competitive racer for longer into the future.

The RC8 is tough, no question, but it is not in the same league as the XB8 when it comes to precision and finishing. Still, though, AE has the largest number of wins in RC history and their experience is literally immense. I do believe you'll be extremely happy with it, After all, the BB4did win the worlds in it's very first apearance. The RC8 will be a great storm in the coming days. I'd buy it in a blink of an eye, if I were to race. The X-Ray is for quality, the RC8 is for....ummm...ease of mind.

My vote is the Xray. i love the xray models they are such good quality and i have never been disappointed with one of there vehicles

If it were me, it would be between the Team Magic M1, Mugen MBX5R, or the Xray XB8EC. Since your gonna convert it, I'd say its between the last two since the M1 wouldn't be to easy. If done right though, it would definitely dominate. As for betweent he Mugen and Xray though, it would be kinda hard to deside.

I say

Xray all the way, IF you have parts support

The RC8 is one nice buggy, and usually AE always has support

Well, the reviews that I've read from the same source (can't remember the magazine) said that the RC8 performed slightly better. The XB8 had a little looser rear end and not as much turn in if I remember correctly. But I have to say if I were to do a buggy I would probably figure out a way to convert the M1. That thing is pimpy.

I think Xray is actually coming out with another revision of their buggy though aren't they? If you could tune the loose back end and steering on the XB8 - I say Xray. But hey, I'm a little biased now that I have a XT8. :party:

Everyone that has a RC8 says it has sooo much steering

That is very true

Just Picked up an XB8 roller on ebay. Decision was made for 3 reasons... A) I couldnt find any lightly used RC8s out there. B) Xray just looks pimpin with the beveled black anodized aluminum, and Mikes X-Ray mount looks just as pimpin. And last I want to try the new diff Xray is working on. I'm hoping it will take brushless power unlike the existing torson difs out there.

In reality I'm probably not a good enough driver to really tell the difference between the 2 buggies anyway. Have they come out with one that automatically stays on the track and always lands wheels down yet?:whistle:

Congrats! Did you get a TQ or an EC?

Got the EC. :love:
Daf your XT8 was basically the inspiration.:yes: It just looked so clean and the black and silver looks so good.

I will probably keep an eye out for a deal on an EC to run as a Nitro also. I really want to set up 2 buggies identiaclly except for the power source and see which one I can be faster with on the same track. you know... Same driver, Same track, Same buggy, Same setup. Kinda my own head to head comparison.

The Xray buggies are nice - can't go wrong with that choice, Jeff. I have been pretty happy with my RC8 - it turns like crazy, which is a good thing. I did break a rod end and blow a front shock on a front wheel landing, though(landed on the front left wheel and these items broke, which shocked me considering it wasn't a crash, so much as a slightly off camber landing). It was about 45-50 degrees outside at the time, so this may have been a factor, but otherwise the buggy is pretty slick.

I converted an M1 buggy a while back - not sure if the customer is a forum user, though. I didn't get to drive it, but it was a cool buggy. The one I did had a center mounted motor and used 2 battery packs. :)

That M1 sounds awesome Mike - did you get any photos of it?

I remember your RC8 Mike. Thats why it was on the short list for me.:mdr: I hadnt even considered the RC8 until I saw yours. That RC8 and Dafs XT8 are just about the 2 cleanest nicest conversions I have seen. Glad to hear its working out for you. Ive seen things break from landings that I didnt think were a big deal, adn then Ive seen wrecks that were driven away from that seemed impossible. Just a crap shoot sometimes.

As far as the M1 goes... Cool looking buggy, but talk about a parts nightmare!!:oh: I cant see that thing being practical for anyone. And I'm not surprised you have already converted one Mike. What haven't you converted. and yes Id like to see pictures too.

BTW Mike, I may be looking for some special help on this Xray. I'm thinking about something a little out of the box that may need a custom part done. Its still in the rolling around in my head stage so I don't know exactly what yet. Just a heads up that I will be sending drawings again and for sure looking for some consulting from you.:whistle: