1/8th Nitro Buggy is the largest class in the world, hand's down. That said, some local tracks do not host 1/8th nitro races for a number of reasons. If you are planning on racing, go to your local tracks and find out what the most popular classes are.
For a recommendation, the HPI D8S would be a pretty good starting point, if you wanted something RTR. It's got HPI plastics which hold up to endless amounts of abuse. [Go watch some HPI Blitz bashing videos on Youtube if you doubt HPI plastics.]
It is also based on a world-championship platform with race capabilities if/when you decide to start racing. It also has CVA's on all four corners, as well as the center drives, 4mm shocktowers and chassis, etc.
The Kyosho NEO is an "okay" kit, based on their antiqued MP7.5/MP777 platform. It would require an engine swap to be race legal if you ever decide to go that route. It's got decent durability for bashing and racing, but it's outdated and has issues with it due to being a budget model, specifically plastic shocks, .25 engine (as mentioned above), cheap aluminum, only front universals, etc.
If you are wanting a kit, that's a
completely different ball-game that I won't get into since it seems like you're looking for an RTR.
Originally Posted by
Monkeezilla
I've also heard some good things about the LOSI 810...
The 810 isn't really a good choice for racing. It's a lightweight buggy powered by a small-block engine. It's a 1/10th vehicle that happens to be have the dimensions of a 1/8th. It shares many parts with the SCTE and Ten-T.