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Good general purpose basher

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CharliesTheMan

Gone - bye bye.
Messages
4,700
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Location
Alexandria
RC Driving Style
  1. Bashing
  2. Racing
As some of you know, I've been building a track at my house. Well of course, with all my RC's, I've attracted the attention of some gearheads in the neighborhood. A new member posted in the into section last night, and he's my neighbor. He's 14, and he's getting his first job this summer so that he can buy his very own RC, which really impresses me so I'm going to help him out as much as I can.

Anyway, his Dad has been very interested in my RC's, and he's getting ready to buy one. I told him that I would find him a good one in the $200 price range. It can be more than that, that is just a general idea and starting point. I have a home track and a bunch of property where he will be running it, along with his backyard and on the street some. We want to buy him something that is RTR, but will hold up good to a more powerful brushless system once he's ready for more power.

I've heard great things about the durability of the E-Firestorm, and I really believe that the HPI stuff is one of the most durable RC brands out there for the money. I've talked to a few members who have installed huge brushless systems, and once the diffs have been upgraded these things seem to hold up to brushless power very good over a long period of time.

My question is, do any of you reccomend the E-Firestorm, and is there something that you think would be more durable and handle better? He's probably going to be installing a sidewinder and LiPo's, and since this is the first RC for he and his son, I would like to suggest something that will hold up well and has some aftermarket support. What RC would you guys suggest if you don't think this is the best one for the money? How are the E-Savage trucks, and how is their run time? I have an E-Maxx, but I was thinking that a 1/10 stadium truck would handle better, be quicker, and have much better run times.
 
dude, as if my other 1500 e-firestorm rants on here aren't enough. ha.

is the firestorm a strong truck. YES!!!!
is the firestorm a fast truck. NOOOO!!! (not in stock form anyway)


the firestorm is my all time favorite truck. Its super cheap to start off with so you don't mind bashing a little harder with it. mine has been pounded as hard as possible and its been great. 10-15ft of air on every jump and its just rock solid. the design is very simple so its ideal for a newcomer as well. Me blowing up my tranny was my own fault and it was only $8 to fix it.

Buy the firestorm and go with a 5700 brushless system. you won't be disappointed.
 
Yeap, you're the reason that I started looking at getting this truck for myself, I just don't need any more RC's right now, so when he asked me to come up with a good one for him, that's the one that I thought of.
 
they do have the flux but its not in stock anywhere and i'm not sure when it will be. its just a sidewinder/5700 combo in there. its a great setup but if you wanna bash now and get yours hands dirty with a simple motor and esc replacement, then a regular one is the way to go.
 
The Traxxas Rustler (12 Turn) can take some abuse and is easily upgradeable to brushless if the need arises. Parts are readily available as well.
 
I've been thinking about that one, since I have a traxxas rustler with the XL-5 and 12 turn that I'm getting ready to sell anyway.
 
The Stampede is ALWAYS a great choice as a 1st RC basher. But the Rustler would work as well.
 
HPI > Traxxas
Crazy as it sounds, i HATE the rustler because of the cheap looking shock towers. It makes me think of something from walmart. they just make it look like it was designed by a 5 yr old.
 
I have 3 Rustlers and a Stampede, and the Stampede is awaiting my Mamba Max 6900 system, so I'm not trying to trash talk traxxas just to do it and stir things up, as I've got at least seven traxxas RC's. BUT, I've built two HPI RC's, and the quality and durability of the HPI stuff that I built is lightyears ahead of the traxxas stuff. Like I said, traxxas makes some great products and I have several, but if the E-Firestorm is anything like their other stuff, then I think it might be better intended for the use that it will be put through. We will be running on my home track, and there will also be a father and his 14 year old son bashing it hard right along with a baja 5b SS, and it's going to have to be superhero strong to attempt to hang with the baja.

I would appreciate it if you guys could let me know about any positive dealings that you've had with the firestorm, and more importantly please let me know about anything negative you've experienced with it as well. Also, you do know of any other vehicles that would fall into the same category of the Stampede, Firestorm, and Rustler, that I'm not aware of?
 
The Associated RC10B4 might be worth looking into. I know their 18th scale stuff is built well. I might look into that instead of an e-savage. It just seems like the heavier rc's break alot more.


When i first got the firestorm the servo center was off big time. i had to pull the front end off and realign the steering right off the bat. no biggie, but it drives you crazy when you are ready to drive. rear turnbuckles have popped off a few times on me and released the dogbones but thats no big deal either. the lack of aftermarket is frustrating sometimes but the good part is that you rarely need it. All i really want for mine is cvd's, a stronger motor guard, and aluminum shocks.
 
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