XRAY - Model racing cars

How come the 808 is so pricey?

Comparing to the TQ and EC the 808 really looks cheap IMHO.
I think that the very classy looking aluminum parts made for the EC and TQ is part of what made it look like a luxurious and high quality buggy that stand out from the crowd..

but the 808?

No alu what so ever, the motor mounts look really cheap and rough, not even the wing posts are alu anymore, all is molded plastic, braces, diff mount, front plate and so on.
Prop shafts are black (?) not the nice Hudy trademark bronze spring steel.
And the graphite?, sure its lighter but I would like aluminium in the shock towers that bend when abused instead of graphite that shatters like glass..
The graphite towers may be hard but there is no room for error, its either in one piece or shattered, no in betweens..

What I want to point out here is how the 808 can be equally expensive as the TQ and EC models were when they first arrived when the 808 must have been signifficantly cheaper to make?

You can always buy cheaper car and not the Xray. For an example a Losi car, that's made in China... and you get Losi quality also, if thats "good enough" for you Or you can buy top quality Xray that's made in Europe and all the custom pieces are made IN HOUSE. That guarantees top quality in my opinion. In offroad racing the quality of parts is very important and I don't think any racer would like sacrify it for few hundred bucks or at least I wouldn't...

I admire the decision that Xray keeps the production in house and does not outsource it from cheap labor countries like China. I bet that Xrays profit is sacrificed very much because of it and we must pay more for the cars... but then again we get luxury racing cars! Hope that Xray continues to walk its way!

And there have been pictures with alu front tower that will probably come out as a option part. The decision not to use Xray colors everywhere has been talked about in the monthly column on the website few months ago!

Just my 2 cents...

What you've got to factor in vic is the amount of money it cost XRAY to develop the new buggy. A single mould can cost tens of thousands of pounds, and XRAY have to try and recoup some of these expenses.

When the first XB8 came out in 2004, it too had lots of carbon fibre on it (diff plate, servo tray and steering rack upper plate), yet when it was first released it cost 520 GBP. As the various iterations were released throughout the following years, parts were replaced with aluminium and the cost came down. No doubt the XB809 etc will/ may have more aluminium parts on it.

I have to agree that the engine mounts are not good and should at least be hard coated coated, and the rear wing mount supports should be aluminium.

I love all the carbon fibre on it, and think the shock towers would take some serious abuse before they break. I'm sure they've tested the tensile strength of the front shock tower and are happy with it.

Also ALL steel parts (including all drive train parts) are finished in the bronze Hudy finish, they are just darker than they have been before.

All in all, I am over the moon with my 808.

Yes I know but havnt the Xray 1:8 buggys always been priced at ~600 USD?
I know that I paid that amount for my TQ when it was released..

And lauri, I am not comparing the 808 with other brands here,Im just asking why the 808 is as expensive as the older models when it seems to be made with cheaper materials and techniques.

But as mentioned, I am more than willing to pay more for a product made in the EU than in China.
I have owned many different brand buggies, and no one compares to the quality of an Xray.