• Welcome to RCTalk! 🚀

    Join the #1 RC community where hobbyists connect, share, and get expert advice on RC cars, trucks, boats, drones, and more!

    • ✓ Friendly & passionate RC enthusiasts
    • ✓ RC tips & troubleshooting
    • ✓ Buy, sell & trade RC gear
    • ✓ Share builds & upgrades

I'm New To RC

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I'm Deciding Either To Buy A Volcano 4X4 Monster Truck Or A Shockwave Buggy.
Which Would Be Better?
 
If you're new to the RC hobby and depending upon how mechanically inclined you are, an electric vehicle would probably be a better introduction to the hobby versus a nitro vehicle.

Nitro has it's own learning curve above and beyond the basics of radio control. Depending upon your personal knowledge base - that can be overly steep for some people.

If you're dead set on going nitro, I'd suggest an HPI Savage or Traxxas Revo.
A big reason for that (besides personal experience with both trucks) is parts availability as both companies have well established product and support lines.

The Savage has been around for at least seven years and you can still get parts for your original .21. The T-Maxx has been around for at least nine years and ditto on the parts...

I have seen positive comments on this site regarding Redcat products, but I've seen a lot of vehicles and a number of companies come and go over the years.
 
I would get a used tmaxx or savage. I owned a exceed truck and it broke down all the time. 1. bent chassis 2. broke down front control arms 3. replaced starter twice 4. steering servo replaced 5. on-of switch replaced.6 lost front driveshaft. I would say that truck you are trying to buy is almost the same thing as exceed. It's fun to drive it just tired of replacing parts after each run. I bought a used savage and never so many problems as I did with exceed. I'm driving both in the same way.

If you going to be driving it on the street in front of your house than it might last long, buy it will not take any beating or jumps
 
i want to find a new buggy with everything but the fuel and batteries included. i know on ebay there are brand new packages for less than $200.
 
Just remember that you get what you pay for. E-Bay is not known for completely honest sellers. If you're looking to buy a buggy check and see what your local hobby shop (lhs) carries in the way of parts. It kind of bite when you break something and have to wait a couple of days (weeks) to get the replacement parts. If you do want to buy on e-bay look towards the well established brands such as Associated, Losi, HPI, Kyosho and Traxxas.
 
I don't know about nitro sport but I own traxxas jato now and tmaxx in the past. Never had any major issues with any of them. Traxxas is a very good company.
 
you dont need a glow heater to start it. With the EZ start all you need is a battery, and a charger for the battery. It comes with a push button starter that you insert into the plug/adapter/whatever you wanna call it depends on the rc from where its located. Mostly located on the reaer of the car. Its hooked up to the motor and most people tend to replace it with something else anyway. I personally like the EZ start on my T-Maxx, but I have had my fair share of problems with it, and fixing them is a pain because they are connected to the motor. I have had problems from the ez start wiring system getting caught up in the spur gear, to locking up the engine and having to take it apart to fix some part inside. can't really remember very well since I havent played with it much in the past 2 years. I personally am not a fan of Traxxas and I also happen to race with a guy who has a Revo Platinum, and absolutely HATES it. If your looking for a buggy where all you need is batteries and fuel to run it, then I recommend the XTM XT2. Its the perfect basher #1 best basher of all buggies. Tons of power, comes with a great radio/controller (Aitronics 2.4G) Its a pull start and has other starters you can buy for it if your looking to get rid of the pull start. Theres the XTM Sure Start (Basically a roto start but is a pistol grip starter and easier to access then the roto start) Or you could get a 39mm flywheel for around $15 bucks and get a bump starter which is a little more on the expensive side. All you need is fuel, batteries, and a glow heater.

XTM XT2 $400 http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/145624.asp

XTM Glow Heater with charger $27.00 http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/146045.asp

you will need a fuel bottle too $6.00 http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/145925.asp

You will also need extra glow plugs as well I recommend these
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/146021.asp
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/147024.asp
Both are the same company, different name. Dont get any other brands of glow plugs because if you get too long of one, it can damage the piston.

I also recommend getting fuel at a LHS (Local Hobby Shop) preferably Byrons 20%, or O Donnell

I have XTM products, and I am in love with them. Remember everything has their problems, so if they start naming problems for XTM, Traxxas, HPI, AE, Team Losi arent any better problem wise. I have the Track Edition XT2 (not for sale anywhere unless its used)and I love it. The XT2 is the #1 best buggy you can get for bashing anywhere. I hope this help:D
 
Actually the buggy I listed is cheap (most buggies cost around $550 starting to $800). If you get anything cheaper, you may have more problems with it then you expect. Heres another link for the same exact buggy for $320 instead of $400, but I dont beleive it has the Airtronics radio, but the Cirrus one istead which isnt a bad radio either. I bought my buggy from this same site so yes it is trustworthy.

XTM XT2 http://xtm-dealer.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=6

you will have to buy the glow heater and fuel bottle on the previous link I posted. Plus every nitro you need to have extra glow plugs for anyway.

Almost forgot to mention that parts availability is not a worry, the XT2 has been around for many years and XTM just released an XT2e and the XTM Rail which all use the same parts, meaning the parts will be around for a long time.
 
Last edited:
If you really want a new car and your budget is 200 than volcano might be the best choise for you. Just don't beat it really hard and it might last.
 
I agree with romahahaha, but if you are looking into used on ebay, including shipping this will cost $220, but thats cheaper than it would cost to get everything you need for the volcano anyway. all you need is gas and go. Otherwise I would recommend saving up some more money to get a better more reliable buggy brand new.

I found a Kyosho Inferno (great buggies) on ebay for $200 but shipping cost is $20. I apologize, but for a $200 budget, thats the best you can get. I wish I could help out more, but its so hard to do with such a low budget.
 

Similar threads

BuggyBRO
New to RC and new to Nitro!
Replies
7
Views
406
CertifiedMike
CertifiedMike
E
Best nitro RC ever.
Replies
1
Views
24
Doom!
Doom!
R
New savage !!
Replies
8
Views
310
RELIC01
R
J
I'm new to this wonderful learning experience !
Replies
10
Views
409
Littlemotor
Littlemotor
N
New and having problems
Replies
18
Views
465
WRM
WRM

RC Builds

Back
Top