Good Starter R/C Buggy or Truck?
 

For Christmas this year I'd like to get my son the cool R/C buggy or truck that I never got as a kid. Yes, he wants it too, it's not just for me.:D Anyone steer me in the right direction? I definitely want something better than your typical Toys R Us quality R/C car, he's had those and they suck. I'd like something electric, probably 1/10 scale, off-road capable, and $200-ish. A quick search has me leaning towards the RC10, basically because they seem popular and parts are easily available at my local hobby shop.

my room-mates were into them big time. i never got into it. one thing i learned, electric cars are not that fun. i think they were good for around 10 minutes. and take longer to charge.

gas is finicky to start, but when going, they are simply amazing. they had an RC10, i think..then got into these bigger cars..called mugens(?)

I've heard basically the same things Cliff, but I need something simple that he can use without needing my help.

My brother-in-law has a Traxxas slash 4x4. Pretty dang cool. He upgraded the motor and suspension and tinkers around with it. It's fast and fun. We can't have RC cars in our family because someone will step on it within five minutes - guaranteed.

I just gave away my son's 2003 RC10 and all related gear. Wish I knew you were looking. Also sold his 2004 Traxxas Revo gas 4x4.... awesome and fun but lots of work. Sold for $175 complete with everything we accumulated over the years.

Electric is okay. Just have LOTS of charged batteries for him.

The RC10 is a great way to go. If you stock up on battery packs and get a good charger you can 'almost' charge as fast as you run them out. I have Losi (Mini LST, and XXX-T) myself, but it's a bit of a Ford Chevy thing with those two. Having it stocked at the local hobby shop is a big plus.

Traxxas is also up there, but is considered by some to be the lesser of the upper end.

If you go 1/18 scale, you can almost get two for that price. I will say that the 1/18 trucks are VERY fun, and having two closely matched cars makes it that much better.

Losi 1/18
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pub...c-Ohwv4TVy-N2g

Associated has the benefit of 4wd:
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/ehobbies-com_2130_258440026

E, any take on the durability of the RC10 vs the Traxxas? They make the Traxxas in electric too, it's another that I've looked at.

RC10s are bullet-proof, at least they were when I was still into that stuff.
I have an RC10L street car that is prolly 30 years old and still works fine.

Anyone remember the tamaya frog? That was my first. I heard they are going to start selling those things again.

That was the first RC car I lusted after but was way out of price league.

Edit: Looks like Tower has them now:
http://pics.towerhobbies.com/image/t/tamc0364.jpg

I bought a Traxxis Stampede truck and Bandit buggy at a garage sale a few years back, Other than a fresh battery pack for each they have been flawless. Gave the truck to my nephew and has taken 9 year old abuse well.

Ferg

I remember lusting over a Frog as a kid in our local hobby shop, way out of my budget.

Electrics using lithium batteries are WAY better than the old Nicds or Nimh batteries. Lithiums can get capacities up to and exceeding 5000mah with 7.4 volts (basically the same as a 6 cell nicad) and provide awesome run times and unbelievable speeds.

But - it costs a bit more than your average setup with Nimhs. Tower has some really nice duratrax ready to run setups that include everything (though I would suggest replacing the charger they include with a better one) you need to get started. They come with a warranty on the parts though they have to be shipped. They ship out of Illinois most likely which isn't that far from you. I have had a few of these duratrax cars and they are pretty decent quality and great for beginners except that you need to check with your local shop to see what parts they stock and what brands they stock. Otherwise your stuck with mail order if something breaks. try www.towerhobbies.com

The Associated cars are race tested awesome buggies. I have a rc10B2 I putter around with but I'm mostly into airplanes and helicopters myself. I would not recommend a glow powered car for the beginner. I love the smell of glow fuel in the morning but for a no brainer car - go electric.

My neighbor runs the RC10 (with a worked over motor) and after playing with it I got the bug. He talked me into the XTM X-Cellerator Nitro 1/10 stadium truck. It's a very well put together kit with threaded shocks and a very strong motor. After a proper break-in my XTM was only a length or two behind the RC10 in a drag race on pavement. It appears the only complaint against the XTM is a lack of race setup support that the larger folks provide.

Ran the truck for a year or so but just got disinterested in dealing with Nitro tuning and starting issues. Nitro trucks need constant attention and most folks advise ditching the pull starter and springing for a start box. The sport can get pricey especially if you run it hard and do lots of jumps.

For a first time truck for a younger boy I 100% recommend going electric. The technology has come a long way and they can be made to be really fast. I think out of the box the XTM electric truck is only a couple ticks slower than the Nitro version - the chassis/suspension/etc... are all identical. A couple extra batteries and your son could be running all day.

Visit a couple of local hobby shops to see what brands are best supported parts-wise. Associated and Traxxas are probably the top two.

Also ask about local race tracks, visit them on a couple of race days and ask the questions... but show up early to do this... between heats when they're wrenching is not a good time unless the racers are very good at multi-tasking.

The reason I say you should visit some tracks is that your son may decide he'd like to run in some organized events at some point.

And if you can't find any racers who aren't total jerks who seem like they want to win at all costs, including nerfing your son outta their way at every opportunity, just don't bother with the organized racing thing.

Talk about timing. Picked up a DuraTrax Envader ST at a swap meet this past weekend for my 11yo. Had to get a radio and receiver for it, but that part was easy (spectrum 2.4). We had a blast with it all weekend and now I've go the itch too. Probably could have gotten a new Traxxas Slash setup for about the same, but who knew.

Did some research and decided to spend a few bucks more for a brushless set up. More power, no maintenance, etc. Probably going to go with the Traxxas Stampede VTX. With 2.4 radio, charger, one 7 cell batt pack, etc., it's about $330. Everything is waterproof and can achieve 60+ mph on a LiPo. 45mph with the stock battery. Plenty fast for me. Should be a riot. Most of the shops near us carry Traxxas parts and they have a great rep for durability. I'm sure we'll give that aspect a good test.

Thanks for the replies guys, after doing some reading based on your replies I'm actually leaning towards a Traxxas Bandit. It has a training mode that cuts the power in 1/2 and is waterproof, both features that will come in handy for a kid. It's also only $170, probably $100 cheaper than an RC10.

I had a Frog. I think its still under my parent's basement somewhere. It had to be 25 years old. Had a motor upgrade but the RC 10s still kick my butt at our local parking lot race.

I started off with the Falcon. That was a good start but it broke a lot. Driveshafts wore out quickly. I have an rc10 and it is nice. Aluminum tub, oil shocks, fast, etc. But the most fun was with the tamiya lunchbox. I mean it does wheelies, big tires for sand, lots of ground clearance, still quick, and looks really cool.

I would stay electric because he wouldn't need you to start/tune it all the time.

Sounds like a great truck.

Oh, and you WILL want two. :D

Nah, I'll need a faster one.:D