My son wants a nitro RC

[surveywaters]

My son turned 10 yesterday. He's been saving for over a year now to buy himself a nitro rc; a truck prefferably but a beefy buggy would be alright. After Christmas and bday he's got $250 (I'll be helping some). I have looked around and there is so much info it's over whelming. The major brands are really up there in price, but they have after market support. Where should we start? A kit sounds great, most of the fun is the tinkering so building it will be great. I am normally fine with used, but being new to this I am not sure what I am looking at when I see a pile of parts. Trying to stay in the $300 range to buy everything needed for the first run.

 

[hotrodrob]

Could go with an ofna buggy,the lower priced models are within your price range,and for the price they are pretty tough,handle well,not a whole lot goes wrong with them

 

[surveywaters]

I saw some recomendations for the Offna in some searches I've done here. I will look into, any vendor recomendations?

 

[alpinehyperlite]

IMO, $250 isn't enough to keep up with the initial cost of getting an rc that will keep running nor replace the parts that will surely break with a 10 year old behind the wheel.

 

[surveywaters]

IMO, $250 isn't enough to keep up with the initial cost of getting an rc that will keep running nor replace the parts that will surely break with a 10 year old behind the wheel.

Thanks Alpine, but not real helpful; you are simply shutting me down when I am asking for help and suggestions.

That's why I'm here rather than waiting on my new RedCat. As stated, the boy has $250 and I am going to help with more; we'd like to stay around $300 which means more is an option but $600 is not. Brands have come and gone since I was running Team Associate in the mid 80's. I don't know what qualifies as entry level and what is junk, nor do I know where to shop. Even suggesting a reputable vendor that doesn't carry junk would be useful.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I'm not shutting down. I'm giving honest opinion. Here are some more.

Redcat is crap. Don't go near it. It's one of the ones I was talking about that is in the price range requested yet is junk and will not run for long, and utilizes crappy materials that will not hold up to any abuse and has absolutely no aftermarket support.

If y'all have such a hard on to go nitro, then find something like a traxxas.

A 10 year old will get much more out of a good electric that will last up to the abuses of a 10 year old driving it. I suggest a traxxas slash. It falls in your price range and will take more abuse than any other rc on the market.

 

[BamaFan]

Stay clear of exceed and redcat. Just friendly advise. My first rc was a traxxas stampede. .15 engine. Plenty for anyone really just wanting to get there feet wet and get in the hobby. It's a fun durable truck that's got ton of aftermarket parts and in your price range. Also look at the tmaxx 2.5. Same support and extremely durable. About $50-75 higher than the stampede but it's a better basher. You can upgrade the engine to anything really after y'all get good at tuning and driving. Just keep in mind more power = more stuff getting tore up and more upgrades needed. . I use EBay, Amazon and Horizon Hobby for 75% of all my rc stuff. I buy some at my local hobby shop. Hope this helps some.

 

[surveywaters]

Thanks all, I know RedCat is junk, wasn't sure of exceed (thanks Bamaman). I just drove out to the LHS and they have a used TMaxx 2.5 with rc and wand for $275. It has all original parts including the original body and doesn't look abused. Sound like a fair deal?

Alpine - I have a "hard-on" for nitro because I enjoy tinkering, I restore vintage motorcycles, and my son and I both ride MX. This looks like a good way to get him wrenching plus anything that goes brrrrrr is fun in my book.

 

[BamaFan]

If it's in great shape and engine has good compression $275 is a ok deal. You can buy a brand new one for $375 rtr shipped.

 

[Paul]

If it's in great shape and engine has good compression $275 is a ok deal. You can buy a brand new one for $375 rtr shipped.

Don't buy and preassembled RTR kit. If you go used to save on cost and its preassembled so be it but don't buy new preassembled. As for brands the main thing you want to look for is strength in the components. If you think you've found the kit you want, do some searches for common issues with certain parts breaking often and things like this. Others have come before you and had the problems already and can provide insights on replacement options to prevent in future or to simply stay away from that particular kit. Unfortunately and like anything else (usually), you get what you pay for with few exceptions to this rule, certainly with RC hobby companies. The current gen Team Associated RC 8.2 RS includes everything you need at a very good price, its what I would recomend. I'll find a link and post it.

http://www.teamassociated.com/parts/details/80909/

It may be pre assembled didnt check regardless i think this is an excellent deal, you get almost everything you need along with a really nice engine with convenient pull start, easily converted to spin start, can use a drill to start.

 

[BamaFan]

Don't buy and preassembled RTR kit. If you go used to save on cost and its preassembled so be it but don't buy new preassembled. As for brands the main thing you want to look for is strength in the components. If you think you've found the kit you want, do some searches for common issues with certain parts breaking often and things like this. Others have come before you and had the problems already and can provide insights on replacement options to prevent in future or to simply stay away from that particular kit. Unfortunately and like anything else (usually), you get what you pay for with few exceptions to this rule, certainly with RC hobby companies. The current gen Team Associated RC 8.2 RS includes everything you need at a very good price, its what I would recomend. I'll find a link and post it.

http://www.teamassociated.com/parts/details/80909/

It may be pre assembled didnt check regardless i think this is an excellent deal, you get almost everything you need along with a really nice engine with convenient pull start, easily converted to spin start, can use a drill to start.

Evidently you didn't read his original question and request. Yes a kit is better but your talking about $500-700 by the time you buy everything vs the price range he's looking to stay in.

 

[Paul]

Evidently you didn't read his original question and request. Yes a kit is better but your talking about $500-700 by the time you buy everything vs the price range he's looking to stay in.

He said he could go higher and I'm sure you can get the RC 8.2 RS for a little less than $499. Again it comes with just about everything you need.

• Powerful Reedy .21VS engine with pull start and Team Associated 2-chamber tuned exhaust
• XP 2.4GHz radio system with digital, high-torque metal-gear steering servo and water-resistant receiver box
• 16mm Big Bore 6061 aluminum shock bodies and caps with rubber shock boots
• Low center-of-gravity 3mm thick 7075 aluminum shock towers
• Black hard-anodized 7075 aluminum chassis with keyed lower suspension plates
• Updated RC8.2 racing suspension geometry
• Aluminum steering knuckles for improved durability
• Choice of two factory finished RC8 bodies color schemes
• Lightweight and durable drivetrain
• Upgraded dual bell-crank steering rack for reduced bump-steer

Required to Complete

• Ten (10) AA batteries
• One (1) D battery
• RC car fuel: 20%-30% maximum nitro content

It is complete minus the fuel and batteries.

Ebay has a refurb for $395! Looks like a very good deal...http://www.ebay.com/itm/80909R-Refu...pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item3a9fe2bcce

 

[BamaFan]

He said he could go higher and I'm sure you can get the RC 8.2 RS for a little less than $499. Again it comes with just about everything you need.

• Powerful Reedy .21VS engine with pull start and Team Associated 2-chamber tuned exhaust
• XP 2.4GHz radio system with digital, high-torque metal-gear steering servo and water-resistant receiver box
• 16mm Big Bore 6061 aluminum shock bodies and caps with rubber shock boots
• Low center-of-gravity 3mm thick 7075 aluminum shock towers
• Black hard-anodized 7075 aluminum chassis with keyed lower suspension plates
• Updated RC8.2 racing suspension geometry
• Aluminum steering knuckles for improved durability
• Choice of two factory finished RC8 bodies color schemes
• Lightweight and durable drivetrain
• Upgraded dual bell-crank steering rack for reduced bump-steer

Required to Complete

• Ten (10) AA batteries
• One (1) D battery
• RC car fuel: 20%-30% maximum nitro content

It is complete minus the fuel and batteries.

Ebay has a refurb for $395! Looks like a very good deal...http://www.ebay.com/itm/80909R-Refu...pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item3a9fe2bcce

That's a pretty good deal. Usually kits start around that with no engine, rx, tx etc... Just depends on what your looking for I guess. I bought a losi 8ight kit for around $500 and still had to put another $350-$400 in it to get it RTR. Engine alone was $275.

 

[Paul]

That's a pretty good deal. Usually kits start around that with no engine, rx, tx etc... Just depends on what your looking for I guess. I bought a losi 8ight kit for around $500 and still had to put another $350-$400 in it to get it RTR. Engine alone was $275.

It is a really good deal. 8.2 has been around awhile, I have the Factory Team version (one before RS), definitely a quality kit.

 

[Kris407]

nitro rustler and stampede are your best bets. T-max has twice as many parts as the previous two although the monster trucks are fun. upkeep on nitro does get a little pricey because you have gas, air filter oil, after run oil, glow plugs, etc. to constantly replace. also a good air compressor is needed or you will constantly be buying compressed air cans and paper towels. i would highly recommend Traxxas for him as a pure beginner.

 

[surveywaters]

Thanks guys, I bought the Tmaxx 2.5. New battery for the wand, some fuel, two new glow plugs, some filter oil and put up oil. Had to replace bearing between the starter and engine but other than that it was good to go. That Team Associated is gorgeous and more my style but my son wanted a truck with 4wd. Looking forward to asking many questions. Thanks again.

 

[Kris407]

Good choice and you're one hell of a Dad!

 

[BamaFan]

Thanks guys, I bought the Tmaxx 2.5. New battery for the wand, some fuel, two new glow plugs, some filter oil and put up oil. Had to replace bearing between the starter and engine but other than that it was good to go. That Team Associated is gorgeous and more my style but my son wanted a truck with 4wd. Looking forward to asking many questions. Thanks again.

Great choice! Can't say I blame him, I love the t maxx.

 

[Rolex]

Good choice. We're always glad when someone comes by and asks our advise, rather than stop in after it's too late just to complain about the lousy truck they got stuck with.

 

[Greywolf74]

TMAXX is a good buy