NitroRCX Razor and Duratrax Raze ?
 

After many years off I have gotten back into racing and bought a 8ight RTR and started racing at a fun/family oriented track. I have two boys 13 and 11 and they have been racing my 17+ year old AE RC10's. Now I had these and are in really great condition and figured it would get them into the hobby without a lot of costs. By the way I have seven kids so money not exactly tight but have to spend wisely. Boys have been bitten by the nitro bug and want to get one. Now they have been looking and found the Duratrax Raze and the Razor @ NitroRCX. My question is are these nothing but trouble or decent entry level nitro vehicles. They both have summer jobs and would like to get at the end of the season. I told them they have to buy the cars/hop ups and replacement parts but I will supply the fuel. Now without just saying its garbage tell me pros and cons. They are looking at double the price to get into an 8ight RTR. If you say stay away from either for one reason or another I'll take that into consideration. If they have to save another $250-300 it might be discouraging to them. Will this get them into 1/8 nitro without a lot of hassle. Thanks

If you're looking to get into competitive racing, don't waste time/$$$ on the Raze. Don't get me wrong, I'm not slamming it. I'm sure it is an excellent basher....driving up n down the street, hitting a few jumps here n there, schoolyards, etc etc. But if it's anything like the Ofna Ultra series buggies, it will be a total lemon on the track. I have no personal experience with the Raze, but I do have a friend with an Ultra. It is great for what he does, bashing around in a parking lot n stuff. But, I have attempted to drive it on the track, and it is horrible, lol. IMO, you'd be much better off looking at the Ofna Hyper 8/8.5, Jammin X1 CR, or the Losi, as you have already mentioned.
Now, if you are only going to bash around, then save some beans and get the Raze.

the raze is imo a good beginner. i have two raze buggies and the truggy. they have plenty of tuning ops. but the chasis is a little weak but like said above if you put a little more money with it ou can get the hyper 8.5. i am running the hyper 8.5 now and man i love it. so far i have 3 races on it with 3 30min mains on fast ruff high flyin tracks and i still havent broke anything yet or has anything came loose.