Help me pick a 2010 Buggy!

[Marvin]

I'm hoping you guys can help me make a choice for next season's car.

This season, I have run an XB808 with a Hyperion 5500mAh VX Lipo, Tekin RX8 1700kV combo et al. This set-up was to run for 20 minutes with the nitros.

Next season, my local track should have enough electrics for their own heat. Therefore, my 808 set-up won't cut it due to its weight and such. So, what should I buy?

Option 1
A Hot Bodies Ve8, using a 2650kV Tekin, and 3 saddles from a Thunderpower 5400mAh saddle pack lipo for 11.1V. This'll be enough for 10 minutes, and will be more balanced than the stock set-up as I won't use mechanical brakes. It will also allow me to use the slipperential I bought this season.

Option 2
An Xray XB808 2009, probably running a Thunderpower 2650 6S or a Hyperion 6S 2600 on the Tekin 1400kV motor. Only thing is the Lipos are quite short and so won't balance quite as I like I guess.

Option 3
Wait for the XB808 2010, with the same set-up again.

Option 4
Tamiya TRF801X, with two 3S 2650 Thunderpower 45C Lipos in series. One either side of the driveshaft at the back, and the motor (Tekin 1400kV) opposite the servo.

Option 5
Some other buggy with different Lipos and set-up. Knock yourselves out with the suggestions!

Option 6
XB808 2010 - possible factory brushless conversion! Wait for it?

Option 7
A truggy? (Suggestions)

I'm leaning towards the Ve8, but the chassis snapping issue worries me at the moment. I'd quite like to try it though!

I will buy a new car whichever way, my current XB808 needs a fair few parts replacing so it's worth getting a new buggy.

[wallot]

if you like your xray than just get lighter batteries and maybe lighter motor like Neu 1415

slipperential will require lot of shimming as HB uses large differential.

for direct slipperential fit get mugen or RC8

[stum]

If you get a buggy get the Ve8, if I didn't already have money into my 8ight-e (tons of spares etc) I'd be running the ve8.

Run the Hyperion g3 cx 5000 packs in this setup, the batts are a perfect fit, nice weight and a great price (~120). I would recommend going w/ the a 2200kv combo, nicer kv rating to work w/ the gearing choices (17,18t) on 4s lipo. 12-15minutes run time (pro level racing) and will run cooler than a 3s setup. Id forget about the slipperential to be honest. just my opinion though..

I love my truggy and buggy and wouldn't give up either :) Towers has the ve8 in stock and w/ the 60 club coupon and free shipping it's a SWEET deal.

[bdebde]

I really like the Ve8 (I have one), but not really sure about the durability. It drives very nice, but I will wait to see how next weeks races go with the aluminum skid plates. Mikes 2600 6s hard case lipos are a perfect fit and with a 1509/2.5Y I only use half a pack for 10 - 12 + minutes.

[RBMike]

I have driven the Ve8 & it drives nice but the duablity is just not there yet.

[jhautz]

If your saying that the 808 is too heavy I dont think you are gonna find a lighter buggy out there. Its just about as light as they get. Your problem seems to be the fat battery pack you are running to get 20 minutes. I can set up my 808 to be in the 6lb 14oz range including a battery that will run a good 12-14 minutes. Just over 7 lbs for a 15 minute setup.

If it was me, Id keep the buggy you have for now an take a look at your setup. Lighter battery and motor should be able to shave quite a bit of weight if you dont neeed to run 20 minutes. Then you can hold out until the spring crop on new buggies comes in and make your decision then.

My 808 is 2 full summer race seasons and a 1 indoor winter season old now and starting to get a bit long in the tooth too. I just went through it and rebuilt the parts that needed attention so it should hold me through the spring to race at the indoor track for the winter and then I'll decide what to do in the spring. I'm betting there will be some more good options out there by then. Although... I think I will be hard pressed to swith away from Xray. Just love those cars.

[Marvin]

My 808 was second hand to begin with, so is pretty worn/old now!

I know that the pack is causing the extra weight, but with a lighter pack, more buggies could be picked from. One of the reasons I chose the 808 for the current set-up was that it was light, so the pack will make less of a difference (if you see what I mean). It also has a very offset drivetrain, which helped balance the pack out.

No way am I giving up my slipperential! I like it too much!

If I was to get the Ve8, I'd also get many of the lightened bits, and the aluminium skids both ends.

[wallot]

you will spend fortune on VE8+ all the lightened parts (i did spend fortune lightening my D8 :D )

for that price you can get MBX6 + Mikes conversion.

[Marvin]

I won't get that many bits. Probably just the lightened drivetrain bits (axles, bevel gears) to make up for the slipperential and aluminium skids.

I can't run an MBX6 - my brother has one!

Also, 808s are getting a bit dull for me, I've had three overall (two nitro, one electric).

[jhautz]

I still say wait for the spring crop of new buggies and stuff. you know that there is gonna be some cool new stuff comming and you are gonna want it. Besides, how much are you going to be able to run the buggy over the winter. Just let it sit. if you get a chance to run, you still have the 808 to run, but then in the spring you can get the latest and greatest.

[wallot]

Originally Posted by Marvin

I can't run an MBX6 - my brother has one!
.

Isn't it better to have car that someone around you has (preferably someone with lot of spare parts )

Mugen drivetrain will last much longer compared to VE8
The front center driveshaft steep angle makes them wear out very fast on D8 based cars.
Buggy needs longer shocks for most bumpier tracks. Hard to fit slipperential.

I like my nitro D8 but for electric version I would get a different car, mugen most likely.

[Marvin]

You're both right. I've left the poll open for a month from now - so people can have their say and vote.

I still would like to try the Ve8.

[emaxxnitro]

808 here.
my XT8 is a tank

I agree with waiting since, that is what I am doing, I'm interested in seeing what will be coming out later.