Help me decide on a used on-road car

[sad_rocc]

A hobby shop recently opened a very nice, fairly large (maybe 60'x30'?) carpet track. It can be easily reconfigured, but usually has a full length straight, a hair-pin and some tight/some easy S-turns. Nothing too fancy, but it's got me dying to get back into electric on-road cars. The last time I competed I had an HPI RS4 Sport 2 (I think that's what the full name was) which was used and a little outdated even then. I compete in the newb class, strictly for fun and using a small budget.

What I'm looking for is advice on what cars I should look for in the used market for indoor carpet on-road racing. I know at this point driver skill is more important than crazy big dollar pro cars with tons of hop-ups. So, I'm looking for a good base that has decent parts availability and upgrade potential. Something with a bit of staying power, as I'm not buying a new car every year or anything and I hate buying a used car only to find it's been discontinued and nobody carries/makes any parts for it.

I have a budget of about $200, but within that budget I need a complete setup. I have a radio for my nitro car and could use it, but I'm not swapping electronics back and forth and I don't know how hard it would be to find a used car with compatible electronics.

So, where does this put me? I like HPI because that's what I used to have, but have no problem with Losi or Associated.

 

[CHRIZDIZLE]

Well since you said you like Hpi you could go for a Pro 4 Hara Edition. It would make a great amateur racer.
You could look around places like eBay or Craigslist and pick one up for cheap.

Heres a link to the Pro 4 Hara Edition.
http://www.hpiracing.com/kits/kitMain.php?partNo=187

 

[sad_rocc]

Looks like a very nice car. I like HPI because they always seem to be trying something different than the usual touring car norm. The Hara doesn't seem any different. However, it looks to be about $200 on ebay for a roller or a kit which is outside of my budget.

 

[sad_rocc]

So after surfing Ebay and reading a bunch of reviews, I think I have it narrowed down to a couple ones.

Associated Factory Team TC4
Losi XXX-S Graphite Plus

I'm leaning toward the TC4 because parts availability seems good and with the new TC5 out, I would imagine some of it's parts work as an upgrade to the TC4. The XXX-S Graphite seems very nice as well, lots of good parts on it already, lightweight and good reviews. But it's a bit old so I'm wondering about parts and hop-up availability. It seems that Associated has more aftermarket support.

So, input?

 

[hamz9561]

If you want something different, I know that a few people have been campaigning the Team Associated RC-18t on carpets using foams. They come ready to run for under $200.

 

[sad_rocc]

There are a few of those at the shop, but I think I may be racing by myself with an 1/18 4wd vehicle. Plus, I'm just not that crazy about 1/18 scale. I would imagine that that truck would be a carpet terror though. The shop has carpet jumps and a layout available for off-road racing, but I think I'm feeling the on-road more. Thanks for the suggestion though, keep 'em coming!

 

[FastEddy]

TC4 is a good choice. There is a lot of parts and help out there.
Just beware that tires and batteries can easily run well over your budget even at the beginning level. Dont forget a charger as well.

 

[sad_rocc]

Yeah, I know those are going to add up quick but I'm hoping to get ahold of some decent used batteries to start and a no-frills basic charger. Tires have to be foam at my LHS and I know I'll eat through those, but am hoping if I go with hard compounds and a traction additive I can stretch them a bit.

Thanks for the input on the TC4, those are the reasons I'm leaning toward it as well. It seems there is the RTR TC4, the Team TC4 and the Factory Team TC4. The FT is the one I hope to get, as I'm not a fan of tub chassis for on-road cars.

 

[FastEddy]

The FT with all the braces attached is a great carpet runner.