RC Car Gurus - Is this a good deal?

Aenygma

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2001
2,427
1
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OH DEAR GOD NO. No, really I am serious. That's a toy, not a real competitive class R/C car.

Go to a hobby store and buy a Losi, or TA, or sumfin. or... maybe buy mine.. I think I still have a Team Losi Weapon around here somewhere.
 

NetworkDad

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2001
3,435
1
0
I'm not interested in racing professionally. Just something to have fun with around the house/driveway. Original list on this was $119, now $49.99
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
you will have much more fun building your own. Its like building your own PC except you dont have to be too ashamed to show it off!

Here's mine

nitro powered RC cars kick the butt of electric cars.
 

Aenygma

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2001
2,427
1
0


<< nitro powered RC cars kick the butt of electric cars. >>



Uh huh...... not on a normal sized track they don't. Ever even seen the NATS... the fastest lap times are always pulled in by the electrics.
 

NetworkDad

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2001
3,435
1
0
Nice car, iamwiz82, that's what i need - another expensive hobby. My wife would kill me with all that i spend now on stuff i don't need.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81


<<

<< nitro powered RC cars kick the butt of electric cars. >>



Uh huh...... not on a normal sized track they don't. Ever even seen the NATS... the fastest lap times are always pulled in by the electrics.
>>



I know a handful of nitros that go 75+ mph and a nitro will last more than 10 minutes on a tank of gas!!
 

whooosh

Golden Member
May 6, 2000
1,707
25
91
Get a Kyosho Mini-Z. You could even compete with these 'toys' at the local hobby shops. :)
 

GreenGhost

Golden Member
Oct 11, 1999
1,272
1
81
For anything less than $50, it's a great toy. Probably you can buy better motor ($30) and batteries ($20 each). Beyound that, I don't know of anything that's really affordable, and the price will jump to a least $250-300. For something more durable and more fun, both Kyosho and Tamyia are good options. They will perform very well, and they look great. And you can buy spare parts.

The hobby is expensive, though, be warned. If you are thinking off-road, Team Losi or Associated are top quality, and will last for years. Off-road buggies do not run well on grass. Buy according to the surface you have. Avoid cars with mechanical speed control (like those old slot-car controllers), you get a better battery life with electronic control (which is still limit to about 5 mins). Nitro is expensive and requires more work. Good for older people,

Check the R/C Car Action Maganize site.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,970
412
136
Increase your budget up to around $150-$200 and you can get a decent entry level RC.

Fortunately there are several RC Hobby stores in the Portland/Vancouver area which can offer good advice and sometimes have sales.
 

raptor13

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,719
0
76
HPI Racing




Check them out, they rule. Get yourself an RS4 Micro and you will be a happy man. Check out their forums too; they are most helpful!


Edit: It appears their site is down right now. Check back later, I guess. Oh well.
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Heck I would be willing to sell my Tamiya Astute if I decide to go home for christams for a day, where I could pick it up.....

but it would be like $200 for everything (Car/Remote/Batteries-old but should work/speed control)...heck that car is worth close to $800 bucks, or at least was in its hayday.....

Full titanium links, racing aluminum shocks, carbon chassis, full sealed ball bearings...and a few other goodies.

Might even consider selling my "vintage" team car, old style aluminum tub chassis with carbon fiber motor mount, full titanium links, stealth transmission, ball bearing steering links, novak speed control...etc

Most of that stuff is dated now but man that RC10 team car could haul with a modded motor, like 40mph at least....

I would love to get back into it but I just dont have the time

If I were you I would definately spend a little more and get an entry level kit, not only will you learn something but you will get a better car that will last longer (possibly forever depending on how many parts ou stock up on) and you have the option to upgrade....

go to Tower hobbies web site and request a catalog or something and see if they have a nice package deal, plan on spending $200 but believe me it is well worth it.

Just don't get too into it, or you'll end up like I did...with a 1,000 dollar RC car that ran one season and only like 5 races as I ended up buying a "real" car and drinking beer the next summer :)
 

toant103

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
10,514
1
0
My wife would kill me with all that i spend now on stuff i don't need

come on now, your going to let your wife do that to you?
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
My older brother keeps telling me to buy a car. For a couple months he's been into it. He started with a gas subaru like iamawiz's (probably the same car, not sure...), then an electric ford focus which he said was boring, and recently bought a nice pricey 4wd truck. He spends hours with it and burned through 1.5 liters of fuel one afternoon!!