Should I buy a Inferno MP7.5 Sports RTR?

[Fil]

I'm in the process of buying my first nitro RC car (not for racing).

My first choice was a Losi ST RTR, but I found a Kyosho Inferno MP7.5 Sports RTR for just a bit more cash.
http://www.kyosho.com/cars/kyod66.html

Should I go for it??

Any problems associated with this version?

Is it reliable? (more or less than a 1/10 ST?)

Is the pull cord start system a problem?


We are buying two cars, so we would have to make one of them different. Can we get different shape bodies? (RTR are all the same and come pre-painted).

Would it be ok to run road tires for an ocasional road bash? Would that put the drive train under excessive stress? If not what wheels/tires can I use?

Can I fit a front fender? Who makes/sells them?

All feedback welcome!

Thanks for the help.
Fil

[boricuanitro]

Hey fil, the MP 7.5 is a great buggy and it is very durable, you simply cant go rong with a Kyosho. In general all 1/8 buggies are very durable and super fun. There are other very good cars out there you could also consider since you will only be bashing, the HB Lightning RTR is a solid and very well built buggy as is the PRP Swift RTR, there are others but I have had experiences with this two.
Pull starts are no problem at all, if you tune the engine correctly it should start on the first few pulls. Running road tires is ok and very fun, this cars can really go, and a good road bashing is allways fun (just be carefull with stationary objects )
As for the car bodies, you can just buy one that fits the car and paint it to your liking.

Hope this helped, have fun..

[robriguez]

As Boricua said just about any 1/8 buggy will do for bashing. Personally after being bitten twice now I would suggest that you stay away from anything in the RC world that has the name "Sports" in it. Typically this means that they are making one of their existing very popular (but expensive) models in a much cheaper package. The cheaper and lower quality parts lower the price but also lower the durability in most cases.

I own a 7.5 Sports and have since put about $500 into it fixing and upgrading broken parts just to keep it bash worthy. For the total of $1050 I could have gotten the real 7.5 with a nice radio and engine. Could have even gotten a Kanai II if I shopped around hard enough.

Dont get me wrong... the 7.5 Sports is still a nice ride. Once you put some more $$ into it it can be a GREAT ride. IMO the Storm and Lightning "PRO" are probably the better bang for the buck.

If you do get the 7.5 Sports here are my suggestions on first hopups you will need
-Kanai II Shocks with the 3.5 shafts (Ofna 9.5 threaded shocks work great too. Those are also 3.5mm shock shafts)
-New wheels and tires WITH FOAM. The stock ones come with no foam. No Foam=hard landings
-Steel spur gear (stock is a plastic)
-Higher torque steering servo
-13t clutch bell for better low end
-Adjustable upper tie rods

As for bodies, just about all 1/8 buggy bodies are the same. Just have to be concious of the body mount holes.

Pull start=no problem at all. About a gallon through my mill and no breaks or problems.

If your going to be offroading and "flying" you dont want too big of a front bumper so that if you do end up nose down on the landing, the tires still have some bite to keep you from flipping onto your lid.

[Fil]

Thanks for the above replies.

robriguez, what wheels/tires have you got on the buggy in the sig picture?

[robriguez]

Ive got a set of Ofna tires and wheels. Part number 81156 tires on 81155 wheels. Here is the Ofna site:
http://www.ofna.com/tires-monster.html#pirate

Just about any 17mm wheel will work.

[Fil]

why did you choose such large tires, and how does the buggy handle compared w/ the original wheels?

[robriguez]

I was toying with the idea of turning it into a Truggy. A truck on a Buggy platform. But after realizing what all it would take (and the $$ it would cost) I decided not to. Im back to regular buggy tires now but I still think it looks kewl as hell with thos big ass tires.

Everything is slower with those tires. Slower accelleration, slower steering response, larger turn radius slower top speed, cannot fly as high, etc etc. BUT i can run on ANY terrain now and back flips are easy!!!!