I second (part of) E-Revonut's comments:
First step: check to see what the local hobby shop carriers.

I got a great deal on a kyosho mp777 roller last year, but the closest hobby shop that carriers parts is 75 miles away, so if I break something and don't have a spare I have to drive 150mi round trip or order off the net.

Other comments:
-Kyosho parts are expensive
-I have hear alot of complaints about the RC8 (I cannot comment on the RC8e though), I have not run one myself, so I am just the messanger.
-There are several at my track who run the 8ight 1.0 & 2.0 as well as the 8ightE, they all seem to like them.
-The Euro-brands seem to be popular, but as with kyosho, make sure you can get parts locally if needed (I broke my MP777 on a Thursday at practice, and I was down until Tuesday when the parts came in, it sucked).