Looking For Offroad Fun..

[Thingamajig]

Hi guys.

I've been out of the RC car thing for about 3 years. (money has been invested in another hobby of mine - my Computer ) and as the weather is improving (UK here) I've decided to get back into it...

I'm looking for some offroad fun...i want something with alot of power and exciting to drive.my budget is £400($798) max.

i've narrowed it down to four choices (if you think there is better PLEASE let me know) in order of interest, highest first:

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1. Traxxas T-Maxx 3.3
http://www.benracing.co.uk/acatalog/...ol_RC_RTR.html
Pro's:
it can wheelie!
Very cheap, alot of tech on board
Traxxas look professional
Con's:
Small scale. 1/10 (so I've heard) minimum i wanted to go was 1/8th.
Apparently isn't as reliable as the HPI Savage X 4.6

So far, i find the T-Maxx more appealing as its capable of doing wheelies. (probably due to the wheeliebar at the back, i presume it acts as a weight to help lift the nose in the air, as well as help for balance) however, I've heard that the truck is not reliable...(probably due to owners crashing while doing wheelies ) not only that, but its 1/10th scale - smallest i wanted to go was 1/8th, but i'm willing to scrap this idea as the T-Maxx just looks so much fun to drive.
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2. HPI Savage X 4.6
http://www.benracing.co.uk/acatalog/...R_Reverse.html
Pro's
its scale!. 1/8th!
Con's
Right on the end of my budget.
I don't think it can wheelie...

Not much to say about this. from what I've seen, it doesn't look as fun as the T-Maxx. does anyone know if it has the power to get its nose up in the air?
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3. ShengQi Big Foot
http://www.nitrotek.co.uk/ZCA1.htm
Pro's
Huge scale; 1/5th
Runs on petrol (gasoline) much more convenient and cheaper for me
Cheapest 1/5th Scale on the market, from my research.
Con's
Rear wheel drive
I doubt very much that it can pop wheelies
Worried about obtaining spare parts. not familiar with this company.

This vehicle was originally my first choice. massive scale, and due to its large engine - no high-pitched screaming!

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4. HPI Savage XL (due for release on may 15th 2008)
http://www.benracing.co.uk/acatalog/HPI_Savage_XL_RTR.html

I know very little about this, and it makes sense, as its not out yet. i just want to know if its capable of popping its nose up like the T-Maxx, but i feel thats unlikely if the smaller Savage X can't. i also expect it'll cost more than the Savage X - over my budget - on it's release.

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Right, well thats about it. all comments are welcome and hugely appreciated!!. btw, you may notice this thread on other forums; i'm not spamming, just want to compare replies to help me make the best decision.

Thanks!.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

The savage X is much more wheelie capable in stock form than the T-Maxx 3.3. The T-maxx will wheelie, but the Savage x has a much bigger big block engine and A LOT more stump ripping wheelie pulling bottom end torque. The Savage X is also MUCH more durable than the T-Maxx in stock form. If you are planning on spending a lot of money on parts amd upgrades after you buy the truck, then the T-Maxx might be what you're looking for. The aftermarket support is huge. If you want something that tough and durable for bashing right out of the box, then the Savage X is more suited for that, and it's tougher out of the box than the T-Maxx is with a few hundred in upgrades.

I don't know where you got your information about the Savage not popping the nose up, but it's one of the most powerful trucks that you can buy. If you don't exercise precise throttle control, it will do a back flip when you pull trigger and land on the lid. If you want stupid massive power and a VERY tough truck to bash and jump stuff with, go with the Savage. I have a maxx and a Savage, and I love my maxx, but it's no where near as durable as my Savage, and I've replaced just about the entire suspension.

This is what I would reccomend on your budget. I saw you looked at the Bigfoot, but I'm not familiar with the brand and you have to be careful with knockoffs because the quality is usually poor at best. Here's what you should get if you get a gasser for your budget. The HPI Baja 5b, or Baja 5b SS.

http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10600/
http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10610/

The build quality and durability is like nothing I've ever seen. I have put this thing through stuff that a regualr nitro would have had to be replaced after attempting. It's a gasser, so it's MUCH easier and MUCH cheaper to run and maintain. With a nitro, you will constantly have to tune it while running it. Also you will have a lot of break in procedure with the nitro before you can have fun with it. With this, you take it out of the box, pour in pump gas and some oil, and pull twice and it's ready to bash. Gas is $4 a gallon, and a tank of gas lasts almost an hour. Nitro is $30 a gallon, and a tank of gas lasts about 5 to 8 minutes. There's no after run procedure. All you do with the baja is take it off the shelf and outside, pull twice to crank it, and let er rip. With the nitros, you have to have a glow igniter and an electric starter if you don't have pull start. you have to carry a toolbox everywhere you go with spare parts because of the breakage and just general tuning and maintenance required. You also have to keep the fuel with you because you have to keep refilling it and you can't leave gas in it at the end of the day. With the baja, you take it off the shelf and grab the transmitter, that's it!

If you can aford the baja, and it's real close to the budget above, you will save money in the end with maintenance and fuel costs. I've got more than the cost of the baja in each of my nitros, and that's just to keep em running and halfway decent for backyard bashing, not jumping over big stuff or hitting stuff or anything, just running them in my fields.

I hope this helps some with your decisoin. LIke I said, wherever you got the information that the 3.3 would wheely better than a Savage and was more powerful was completely wrong. Now this is in stock form that I'm comparing them. If you like the T-Maxx, I would highly suggest the Revo 3.3. It's much better engineered than the T-Maxx, with a lot more modern and stable suspension.

 

[Thingamajig]

The savage X is much more wheelie capable in stock form than the T-Maxx 3.3. The T-maxx will wheelie, but the Savage x has a much bigger big block engine and A LOT more stump ripping wheelie pulling bottom end torque. The Savage X is also MUCH more durable than the T-Maxx in stock form. If you are planning on spending a lot of money on parts amd upgrades after you buy the truck, then the T-Maxx might be what you're looking for. The aftermarket support is huge. If you want something that tough and durable for bashing right out of the box, then the Savage X is more suited for that, and it's tougher out of the box than the T-Maxx is with a few hundred in upgrades.

I don't know where you got your information about the Savage not popping the nose up, but it's one of the most powerful trucks that you can buy. If you don't exercise precise throttle control, it will do a back flip when you pull trigger and land on the lid. If you want stupid massive power and a VERY tough truck to bash and jump stuff with, go with the Savage. I have a maxx and a Savage, and I love my maxx, but it's no where near as durable as my Savage, and I've replaced just about the entire suspension.

This is what I would reccomend on your budget. I saw you looked at the Bigfoot, but I'm not familiar with the brand and you have to be careful with knockoffs because the quality is usually poor at best. Here's what you should get if you get a gasser for your budget. The HPI Baja 5b, or Baja 5b SS.

http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10600/
http://hpiracing.com/kitinfo/10610/

The build quality and durability is like nothing I've ever seen. I have put this thing through stuff that a regualr nitro would have had to be replaced after attempting. It's a gasser, so it's MUCH easier and MUCH cheaper to run and maintain. With a nitro, you will constantly have to tune it while running it. Also you will have a lot of break in procedure with the nitro before you can have fun with it. With this, you take it out of the box, pour in pump gas and some oil, and pull twice and it's ready to bash. Gas is $4 a gallon, and a tank of gas lasts almost an hour. Nitro is $30 a gallon, and a tank of gas lasts about 5 to 8 minutes. There's no after run procedure. All you do with the baja is take it off the shelf and outside, pull twice to crank it, and let er rip. With the nitros, you have to have a glow igniter and an electric starter if you don't have pull start. you have to carry a toolbox everywhere you go with spare parts because of the breakage and just general tuning and maintenance required. You also have to keep the fuel with you because you have to keep refilling it and you can't leave gas in it at the end of the day. With the baja, you take it off the shelf and grab the transmitter, that's it!

If you can aford the baja, and it's real close to the budget above, you will save money in the end with maintenance and fuel costs. I've got more than the cost of the baja in each of my nitros, and that's just to keep em running and halfway decent for backyard bashing, not jumping over big stuff or hitting stuff or anything, just running them in my fields.

I hope this helps some with your decisoin. LIke I said, wherever you got the information that the 3.3 would wheely better than a Savage and was more powerful was completely wrong. Now this is in stock form that I'm comparing them. If you like the T-Maxx, I would highly suggest the Revo 3.3. It's much better engineered than the T-Maxx, with a lot more modern and stable suspension.

Thanks alot for this, you sound like you know what your talking about so i'll take this into consideration. my sources aint very trustworthy, so your probably right

I'm not sure if i could afford the Baja. and when i finally could, the Savage XL will be in the shops. i think if i purchase anything now, it'll be the Savage X (as yes, i'd like to bash it about right out of the box ) if not, i'll wait for the XL to hit the market. (but saying that. petrol/gas is very tempting..)

Do you know anything about the Savage XL?.

Thanks again.

 

[BOUTCH]

Just my opinion but, SAVAGE!!:bow:

 

[Mattyfats420]

I've heard nothing but great things about the savage. its supposed to be the best basher right out of the box.

the T maxx might not be as bash worthy as the savage but if your looking for something to make bash worthy i would go with a t maxx

either on you go with I'm sure you will have a great time

but the savage XL would have my vote, i dont even have one but just the things I've heard about it would make me for sure buy one in the future

 

[Big-Mike]

I'm a TRAXXAS fan, so I would get the T-Maxx!!!! Also I have heard that the Savage is harder to work on then the T-Maxx. Also at our track, not many Savage's because they tend to over heat! Probably tuning for the problems.
Good Luck with your pick

 

[rckid91]

i would look into the revo it is fast durable and tough as nails really fast and the aftermarket support is huge the traxxas motors run pretty well and traxxas has great customer support the savage is a little boatie in the handling department imo the revo has great speed is tough and handles nice

 

[Mattyfats420]

i would look into the revo it is fast durable and tough as nails really fast and the aftermarket support is huge the traxxas motors run pretty well and traxxas has great customer support the savage is a little boatie in the handling department imo the revo has great speed is tough and handles nice

If a revo is being thown into the mix than the revo would for sure have my vote. i own one and I've beat the snot out of it one day than the next took it to the track and had a great time. its a very versatile MT.

+1 for getting a revo =]

 

[Cupooterluvr]

Savage. I have a Maxx 3.3 and looking back I KNOW I would have been happier with a Savage. The Maxx is indeed durable; in fact I've only broken the skidplates and center driveshafts and I was going to upgrade to metal anyways. I just think the Savage would have made me happier overall with the size and durability. Plus I probably could have gotten the kit form of it too.

If you get the 3.3 it's also a wheelie machine. One thing I don't like is the servo-saver. It's really weak and doesn't even return the wheels to neutral. When braking it also bump-steers ALOT.

 

[Racer 1966]

I'd have to look hard at that 5th scale and gas power. Like you said, not familiar with the company so support for it could be a problem. I bet you can set it up to wheelie since that's what you seem to want.

Otherwise, Savage. I have one and I've never regretted getting it. I had a 2.5 T-Maxx, just wasn't nearly as happy with it although I've heard the 3.3 is better. The Savage looks more intimidating to work on, but it's not.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

the Savage X has changed the setup and is much easier to work on than previous models. I have the Savage X and the T-Maxx, and to me the Savage doesn't seem that much harder to work on. However, I'm working on it far less than the maxx, like never compared to always.

 

[SMaxxin]

For bashing I would go with a Savage over the Maxx and the Revo, it's just as fast, a lot stronger, and can wheelie on demand if it's tuned right...I didn't read about them, no one told me I have owned all of them.

With that said my favorite mt is my Aftershock, it's not stock but it's one mean mofo!

 

[Brushlessboy]

But the Revo is 1/10 and it wont wheelie, so it has 2 cons already, although I agree it is one hell of a rig. (I have 2) But the Savage is probably the one out of the selection, of course you need to consider that by the time we finish argueing about it the Savage XL will be on the shelf............

 

[Thingamajig]

But the Revo is 1/10 and it wont wheelie, so it has 2 cons already, although I agree it is one hell of a rig. (I have 2) But the Savage is probably the one out of the selection, of course you need to consider that by the time we finish argueing about it the Savage XL will be on the shelf............

Yeah. judging by the replies here i'm convinced the Savage is the Nitro king....the XL, if i can wait for a month .

A month from now, if for some reason i don't get the XL, it'll be the HPI Baja. as it'll take me till May to save up for one of em anyway.

I'll post images when i finally get my hands on a model. thanks again for all the help. unfortunately for you lot - you'll be seeing me around here more often. :LoL:

 

[rckid91]

hey brushless boy you have the 2.5r or 3.3 revo cause i know my 2.5r has ABSOLUTLY no problems with wheelies it likes to be on its back but yeah the savage has crazy wheelie power and they are pretty durable

 

[hamz9561]

If you look around you can find the Baja 5b RTR for around the $800 mark quite frequently.

 

[Brushlessboy]

BOB, I have 2 3.3's, but I have a Sirio 21 to go in the new one, that'll help alot. The Revo's have a hard time standing up because of the shock settings, they are soft from standard and squat. I'll fix that..

 

[mech634]

i have been looking at getting a nitro truck and reading this has help me in deciding what i want to get to thanks a lot