as a new born rusher, I too agree rushing is the best way when your active.

I am upgrading to th 8 at the moment and will also keep rushing to th 9. With my main account I found raiding the easiest at th 9 and got more gold an hour then at th 7 or 8.

Pre:
- can put elixir in walls
- you get a lot more DE
- you can start on your queen
- you will not get stuck with resources because there are no upgrades anymore for that resource

cons:
- you can lose more on defense.

And that con is not that important if you active. I raid much more then they can ever take from me. Because most times I will get an easy shield any way and most attackers are not that skilled as you all are , so they will not get to my storages any way. (my th 7 got attack today by a th 9 that did not lure cc???? My lvl 6 bloons loved to see all those giants)