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First Nitro car

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R

redleg

RC Newbie
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Location
Fairbanks, AK
RC Driving Style
  1. Bashing
After much debate, I am thinking about purchasing my first RC car. I do have experience in RC (helicopter), but otherwise....this will be my first nitro.

Looking at purchasing the Traxxas Slayer.

I don't want to spend too much right now, so $500 is the max limit for now.....that would be car, Tx, and support equipment. Of course as time goes by, I will be able to amass more support equipment.

Any idea and thoughts? Thanks!

-Sean
 
You don't have too many choices in nitro short course trucks. There is also the Associated SC8 as an option. Cost is about $150 more than the Slayer. Both cars would make a nice entrance into the RC car world.

Have you looked at electrics? Less maintenance, cleaner and most are as fast or faster than their nitro counterparts. ;)
 
not many to choose from if your looking for a truck but theres loads of options in the buggy department. hyper 7 is prob the best for its durebility ,speed and handleing plus only £200 on ebay
 
If you're only going to have one nitro truck, the biggest question is, what are you going to do with it primarily? Do you have a track? Will you be racing? Is it just a basher? Years ago, when I made the nitro leap, I bought a 2wd stadium truck. At the track it was awesome, most other places it sucked. Not enough ground clearance and 2wd, I couldn't even run it through the yard without getting hung up. Years later, I bought a monster truck and I love that truck like no tomorrow. I went 1/8 scale and the extra size and weight help the truck plow through things that would break a stadium truck in two. Keep in mind our only track closed about 9 years ago, so all I do is bash with it.

You just have to ask yourself what your expectations are of the truck, and be honest about it, and you should be happy for a long time to come. Just my .02
 
I was simply thinking about just 'bashing' it around if that is the correct term. No racing, there is just not enough demand or a 'formed group' to race anything up here in Fairbanks, Alaska.

There is plenty of land and empty space. There are a few that hang around and just run their cars, otherwise, nothing formal.

I was thinking about the SC8, but was not sure if I should drop over $500 versus one that will be less then $400.

Thought about electrics and the ease of it, but I want the challenge of a nitro so that is why I am going with a nitro.....just not sure of the car.

What about after market parts....which is better, the SC8 or Slayer? They are not going obsolete anytime soon are they?
 
If you are looking for something to mostly bash look into a savage, t-maxx, or revo. They are all great monster truck bashers. The revo would give you the best handling if you ever wanted to get into some racing. I have a Revo and love it.
 
The slayer is revo based and the sc8 is based on the rc8 buggy. Check with your lhs to see what they stock parts for.

You can't compare either truck to a 1/10 scale stadium truck as these are larger scale and 4wd.
 
Most of you have been in this hobby much longer then I have......I still haven't purchased a RC car yet.........

So in your humble opinion, is the Slayer on the way out the door to be replaced or is the market (RC hobbyist) trending towards something like the 1/8 scale, 1/10th scale, etc......?????

I have no insight as to know if Traxxas will continue to make the Slayer anymore, etc.

I just DO NOT want to get into this hobby to find out that I picked the wrong car/truck to begin with. That is why parts support is very important either from LHS or on-line retailers.
 
I'd say the Slayer and Slash platform will be around in some form or fashion for a long time to come. Traxxas is heavily involved in in the TORC series for full size trucks, and besides, they're hugely popular models for them too.
 
So really.......aside from the roll over issue....which can be mitigated by installing sway bars, the Slayer is a good truck. The SC8 also is a good truck.....just a little more $$
 
You got it. Do you have a hobby shop close to your home? Another thing to think about is whether you have local parts support. Check to see if they carry parts for each rig.

If you only shop online parts are plentiful.
 
I do have a LHS, but supporting it really hurts my wallet. If I was to purchase the Slayer from the LHS, it would cause me $510 :whhooo: I can purchase the same new in the box and shipped for less then $400 :hehe:

That's the price I pay for living in Alaska.....LHS far and few in between and EXPENSIVE.

That is why I want to make sure and do all the necessary 'homework' before I purchase the Slayer or any RC truck.....otherwise the truck is just an ornament.

Oh, yeah.....you guys might complain about nitro fuel being expensive......try OVER $45 a gallon :angry:
 

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