Carrera slot cars

[IHateMyJob2004]

Hoping someone here is in the hobby.

My son is somewhat interested in these now and x-mas and his birthday is around the corner. About to turn 7.

I was looking into these slots today at a hobby store. I guess I want to get the Evolution series but Go! is much less expensive.

What should I do? Evolution cars/track are about 2x more in cost than Go!

I've used Go! before and don't care much for it. I think it is fine for a kid but as he gets older, he'd probably want Evolution more.

Thoughts?
http://www.carrera-toys.com/us/products/

 

[bbhaag]

I remember setting up my dads old Revell track when I was a kid and my bother and I would race each other for hours on end. Good times.

The Go! series looks a little kiddie to me. Which is fine if you think your son will use it for a few months and then it gets shoved to the back of the closet. If you think this is something you and your son might get into then go with the Evolution series. It looks like it might be able to "grow" with him and you. Does that make sense?

This was a good place I got some quality info from http://homeracingworld.yuku.com/directory#.TrdN8ENfayg
Keep in mind my research was geared more toward a vintage aspect since the track we have is from the '60's but there is a lot of good info on the forums.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

1:32 is what I raced as a kid. There was a local hobby shop that had a killer course set up 6 lanes wide.

 

[Born2bwire]

What is the appeal of slot cars to you guys? I kinda get the appeal, but at the same time I just can't see the appeal lasting very long.

 

[bbhaag]

What is the appeal of slot cars to you guys? I kinda get the appeal, but at the same time I just can't see the appeal lasting very long.

Why do guys get into model trains and track building? Why do guys get into building computers?
It's a hobby man. Nothing more nothing less.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

When I was a kid, I loved it. Had a crappy set up though. Spent more time cleaning track than playing.

The appeal is racing. You need to slow down for curves just like in real life. The person who can best control their car typically wins. Granted, if you really get into it, you can tune your cars. magnet strength, gear ratios, etc.

Regarding what bbhaggg said. I have a Mame cabinet 10 feet from me right now. I built it because I could.

 

[Mike Gayner]

He's 7. Buy the cheapest set you can find, he'll be more than happy. If he's still using it next year, get him a decent set.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I remember setting up my dads old Revell track when I was a kid and my bother and I would race each other for hours on end. Good times.

The Go! series looks a little kiddie to me. Which is fine if you think your son will use it for a few months and then it gets shoved to the back of the closet. If you think this is something you and your son might get into then go with the Evolution series. It looks like it might be able to "grow" with him and you. Does that make sense?

This was a good place I got some quality info from http://homeracingworld.yuku.com/directory#.TrdN8ENfayg
Keep in mind my research was geared more toward a vintage aspect since the track we have is from the '60's but there is a lot of good info on the forums.

This would be for my son. I think it will be the kind of thing he plays with for a month. Puts a way. Pulls out 6 months later. Plays for a month .... etc.

I was thinking though. We are moving eventually. I want to do a train layout in the basement. It would be awesome to mix the train layout with the cars.

The go series is definitely kiddie. You can not fly off the track without pressing the turbo button. Good for a 7 year old. Sucks for a 10 year old.

The larger car (Evolution) would crush a toy train if it flew off the track though. Could do a two tier type of setup I suppose.

 

[endlessmike]

When I was a kid all we had were the Tyco HO sets, but we still had a blast with them so in that regard the Go! sets would probably be just fine.

I might be wrong but I think the Carrera Evo sets come with 1:24 track, so the setup is going to take up that much more space. I don't have any experience with them but they're supposed to be quality.

We have some 1:32 Scalextric stuff that seems like a good balance between the two in terms of price, size, and the ability to either really stick them down with magnets or let them slide around a bit.