Looking for the Perfect First RC Car: Durable, Fun, and Under $100 – Need Recommendations!

[MBH03]

Hey y’all, I need some expert advice as I’m running into a problem. For Christmas, my son (5) got the car below, and while he thought it looked awesome, it was very slow and not super fun.

So, I decided to go for something a little nicer. I went on Amazon and bought a highly rated car that seemed to have overall decent quality. He thought this one was super cool and awesome. Unfortunately, it broke very quickly, and even when it wasn’t broken, I think it was just a little too fast for him. He couldn’t quite control it. (It did have a slow/fast button that really helped)

Is there something in between these two cars? The first priority is durability, and the second would be a 4x4 if possible. We live in a snowy area, so a bit of waterproofing would be nice. He also likes slightly bigger cars, like a 1:10ish scale, but that’s not a dealbreaker. I’d love to stay under $100 since this is his first RC car, and he’ll probably beat it up pretty bad. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Doom!]

Hey y’all, I need some expert advice as I’m running into a problem. For Christmas, my son (5) got the car below, and while he thought it looked awesome, it was very slow and not super fun.
View attachment 214538

So, I decided to go for something a little nicer. I went on Amazon and bought a highly rated car that seemed to have overall decent quality. He thought this one was super cool and awesome. Unfortunately, it broke very quickly, and even when it wasn’t broken, I think it was just a little too fast for him. He couldn’t quite control it. (It did have a slow/fast button that really helped)

View attachment 214540


Is there something in between these two cars? The first priority is durability, and the second would be a 4x4 if possible. We live in a snowy area, so a bit of waterproofing would be nice. He also likes slightly bigger cars, like a 1:10ish scale, but that’s not a dealbreaker. I’d love to stay under $100 since this is his first RC car, and he’ll probably beat it up pretty bad. Any recommendations?

Thanks

This is a little more than you wanted to spend ($169.99) but very solid reliable and fun truck. GORGON
This is a little smaller but also loads of fun. at a little closer price point, ($129.99) Granite Grom

 

[DavidB1126]

Agree with what @Doom! said above.

Or if you want to be close to the 100 dollar mark as possible, the new Losi Micro Bs have been hot and just at 99 bucks I think? They are a micro car though so ideally only for inside use. The GROM lineup would be best for both indoors outdoors, more off-road/jumps. The gorgon 1/10 MT is probably one of the best RTR budget cars for the price.

 

[Chubaka]

Welcome to the site. The above is a solid choice. Parts are avaliable so you can fix and also upgrade it.

You can also slow it down or speed it up with motor turns, gearing, and voltage.

Seems to me a crawler would work but they are a bit more but indestructible and offroad capable.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Welcome to RCTALK.COM!!!
I own a Gorgon.
In stock form, with a lipo 2s, not a nicad pack, the truck is a BLAST!!!
Nicads are ok but heavy and slower. Might be ok in this case too.
I am a seasoned R/C'r... I modify my cars... ALL of them.
I kept the Gorgon stock because its pretty perfect as is!
I will upgrade to a moderate brushless system but no plans to make it super fast.
This truck IS worth spending a few $ more for.
You can even turn the throttle down if its still too much but its not.
You'll like this truck and so will he.
I've yet to break a single part on this Gorgon btw.

 

[9x19]

I'd look on ebay for a broken one... regardless of brand, it's gonna break, so save some up front money and get the parts you want (instead of what they come with).

Joking/not joking. Good luck with your search and welcome to RCT

 

[MBH03]

Thank you for all the great responses. I truly appreciate the variety of answers provided and will begin researching tonight. Thanks again!

 

[TeknoJ]

Thank you for all the great responses. I truly appreciate the variety of answers provided and will begin researching tonight. Thanks again!

Better double that budget and get yourself something as well

 

[WickedFog]

First bit of advice, avoid the Amazon RC's. Finding parts to fix them will be next to impossible. And ALL RC's will break.

If you want to do some browsing, check out www.amain.com

They have probably the biggest selection of RC cars and trucks.

Be mindful and check out the section near the bottom of the description for what is needed to complete. Some hobby grade RC's are sold as ready to run (RTR) and will often include a battery and charger. Some just come with the assembled cars and radio - almost ready to run (ARTR), and some will be a kit you have to build and supply your own radio system and other electronics.

There is also www.helidirect.com. They have a selection of smaller scale RC's.

Another suggestion would be to grab a 1/24 scale Axial SCX24 or FMS FCX24 crawler, or something similar. They are great for playing indoors when you can't get outside. You can setup an obstacle course out of anything. Legos, blocks, books, shoes, your spouse, pets, etc, all become challenges to climb over

If you want a small indoor monster truck that is a ton of fun, check this out.
https://www.helidirect.com/products...CnY2hBbk3IC2GXf2cSGXteuJ90Q9T3ai8V99NjyTtHMNu

Lots of hopups out there for them. Here's ours.

Oh, and here's how big it is.

 

[MBH03]

Better double that budget and get yourself something as well

I'm okay with that as long as it's somewhat durable and will last.

 

[TeknoJ]

If you want a small indoor monster truck that is a ton of fun, check this out.

I have already purchased a mini today sir stop tempting me.

I'm okay with that as long as it's somewhat durable and will last.

I get it, my son breaks my stuff all the time, his stuff too can you believe it?
I can agree to avoid the Amazon stuff, at least for now. Cheap on the wallet, really fun to drive until they break or strip something, and a total pain to work on. That’s a terrible burden on a guy for a newcomer. We have a HyperGo and an SCY. Pain in my butt sometimes. It’s the hardware that sucks the most.
Let me ask you this, what would YOU want to drive around as a first RC. A 1/18 / mini? A Gorgon? It seems to have some honest reviews here.
I can’t really list anything in your price range that hasn’t been said.

 

[PainKiller]

I don’t own one but if it were me ,I’d up my budget and go for the Gorgon. Seems to be a popular choice.

 

[RustyUs]

I don't want to be a buzzkill, but I doubt that staying at/under $100 for "perfect first RC"... it's not going to happen. Especially hobby grade RCs. Sorry.

So many variables when it comes to these types of threads. I'd say a person can get close to a perfect RC/$100 platform if a person's expectations are not set at maximum levels. Hobby grade RCs are platforms that, if anything breaks, spare parts are there for you and the toy can be repaired. For a first RC vehicle, I would not recommend shopping at/on non-hobby-oriented stores/sites. For the best first RC experience, you want to go to a well reputable RC hobby store that's been in business for decades and use their drop-down menus to sort out the possibilities for your wants and needs.

I personally think a person shouldn't go to the far extremes for a first RC... something so small that limits your running environment and large 4wd monsters costing huge $$$... save them for when you're hooked on the hobby. I've always recommended 1/10 scale 2wd RCs for a first vehicle when not knowing the particulars of someone's wants and needs. The simplistic fun factor of a 1/10 scale 2wd RC platforms offer, IMO, the "best bang for your money" when it comes to breaking and repairing enjoyment.

Good luck. Happy shopping.

 

[Positron Design]

While I suggest a smaller scale car/truck from a historic R/C car maker.
I had an Associated RC18T2 - $200. It was fast. I repaired the broken steering with aluminum parts that never broke again. Eventually I upgraded to a Associated SC10 - $350

Losi, Arma, Axial, Tamiya, Kyosho are also good brands with $100 cars that have good part support.
-------------
.
That said I just found a Super Cool mixed reality R/C car. This big kid wants it bad.
The $150 car has a First Person View camera and an augmented reality headset.
The camera car and headset make it feel like you are inside of the toy car, driving it for "real".
It is 4WD (= easier to handle) and goes about 10 MPH.

https://www.kobotix.com/product/real-racer/?ref=uploadvr.com

 

[Arise0185]

I would agree with the gorgon or from series. Not gonna get much cheaper than those while staying "hobby grade."

 

[Slick2500]

I don't want to be a buzzkill, but I doubt that staying at/under $100 for "perfect first RC"... it's not going to happen. Especially hobby grade RCs. Sorry.

So many variables when it comes to these types of threads. I'd say a person can get close to a perfect RC/$100 platform if a person's expectations are not set at maximum levels. Hobby grade RCs are platforms that, if anything breaks, spare parts are there for you and the toy can be repaired. For a first RC vehicle, I would not recommend shopping at/on non-hobby-oriented stores/sites. For the best first RC experience, you want to go to a well reputable RC hobby store that's been in business for decades and use their drop-down menus to sort out the possibilities for your wants and needs.

I personally think a person shouldn't go to the far extremes for a first RC... something so small that limits your running environment and large 4wd monsters costing huge $$$... save them for when you're hooked on the hobby. I've always recommended 1/10 scale 2wd RCs for a first vehicle when not knowing the particulars of someone's wants and needs. The simplistic fun factor of a 1/10 scale 2wd RC platforms offer, IMO, the "best bang for your money" when it comes to breaking and repairing enjoyment.

Good luck. Happy shopping.

Or stop by your local hobby store and see what they have.

 

[Panko75]

First bit of advice, avoid the Amazon RC's. Finding parts to fix them will be next to impossible. And ALL RC's will break.

Most people break their RCs doing crazy jumps and such, I've broken Amazon RCs just by working on them, driving in a parking lot (at 9mph!), driving in my yard, etc etc. Seriously, my old Nikko/Tyco toys were sturdier.

The best $100 RC that you can get is usually a used 2wd Traxxas if you can find good one, if shopping brand new I'd save up for a Gorgon or small crawler depending on what you want.

 

[RustyUs]

Ah,huhuhuhu they said, "Amazon RCs."

Sorry, just pokin' a little fun into the mix.