Need Suggestions

[shipstylin]

I am brand new to the R/C sport.

I am looking for a fast nitro powered onroad/offroad car/buggy or truck (not monster truck though) that I can fool around with. I don't really plan on racing it in any tournaments or anything but who knows. I am looking for something 4wd.
My father got me one for xmas and it was complete garbage, not his fault as he doesn't know anything about the hobby either. He just wanted to get me something that I probably wouldn't go out and buy myself. It was some brand named smartech (winner sport buggy) supposedly brand new although the tech sheets where written on and the engine wouldn't even turn over. Took the glow plug out and it looks as if the glow plug filament broke off and fell into the piston, which probably bound everything up. So I do not want something like this. We are in dispute now to get our money back and the company was someplace in Arizona run out of a condo which we reported to the better business bureau. So when we get this money back (was told under a month) this is when I will buy a new one and put some of my money into it to make sure a get a good one.
I just want people's opinions and do some research before I buy one myself, we should get $279.00 back as that is what he paid and I don't mind putting in another hundred or two to get something good. I already have the glow plug igniter, fuel, and some other items.
The local hobby shop talks up HPI and Team Losi, but I am up for any suggestions. Like I said I want something fast on/off road. I will probably upgrade stuff if I am anyway like I am with my regular car. So a car that has parts readily available would be good. Was looking at HPI RTR Nitro MT, HPI Super Nitro RS4 Rally, HPI Nitro RS4 MT2, Team Losi XXX-NT Drake Edition, Kyosho Inferno MP-7.5 Sports, Kyosho Inferno MP-7.5
I would rather have a .21 engine for more power but like I said I don't know much about the sport so fill me in please. I just don't want to get something to later say damn I should have got that!

--Mike

 

[AC48]

Ok, you're already on the right track. Any of those that you listed will be good quality. HPI Racing is a very nice company and I have had good experiences with their products. Team Losi I haven't personnaly had anything from but around the forums here people seem to really like them.

If you want a small-block offroad truck I suggest either the HPI RS4 MT2 or the Team Losi XXX-NT Drake Edition. Both are great trucks. The XXX-NT would be more suited for racing, and could be more prone to breakage because its more of a race truck. My friend has an HPI RS4 NMT and realy likes it. He needed to upgrade the engine, but the MT2 comes with a decent engine already.

If you want an offroad buggy that takes a .21 the ones you have listed are great. These kinds of R/Cs are what I suggest, they are faster and more fun to drive than small block offroads IMO. I personally have a Kyosho Inferno MP7.5 and its a great buggy. Although I don't suggest it for a first timer for a couple of reasons. This is a higher end kit which means you have to buy your own engine, radio, servos, tuned pipe, and other little things. I had to also get servo horns and tire foams for some reason. Anyway, if you have an LHS near by to get all the little things you will need, and really want to build a kit, the Kyosho Inferno MP7.5 is for you. The Sports comes all prebuilt and is ready to go so you don't have to buy all that other stuff. This will be an easier way of going, but you don't get to build it.

There are a TON of different buggies out there so find out what your LHS carries (I'm assuming Kyosho) and get something of that brand so parts are easy to come by.

Other great buggies are the SportWerks Mayhem, XTM X-Terminator Deluexe, OFNA has about 10 good buggies lol, and many more lol...good luck, and welcome to RCNT!

 

[olds97_lss]

Curious to know why you don't want to go with an MT? If your not intending on racing and not being at a track, an MT gives you more ground clearance which makes it easier to find places to drive. Stadium trucks (xxx-nt, hpi mt & mt2) and buggies don't have much clearance to the ground and get hung up easily. Also, running them in normal grass is harder on them since the drag all the time.

The xxx-nt is only 2wd as well. Good truck, but it isn't one I'd call a good bashing rig. It's a little to fragile for hard bashing, but when it's on a track or track like surface, it's tough to beat.

 

[shipstylin]

What about Schumacher?

Well I have been looking around on the internet and I really like what I am seeing about Schumacher especially the nitro fusion 21 and the menace 4x4x21. I know on the site they say the fusion is of onroad/leisure but can this be setup to ride offroad as well? on either dirt or short grass. I am thinking of building a track since I live on almost 7 acres. The power is impressive for both. I am not going to jump or anything that is why I am not interested in MT's. I just want to drive on pavement/dirt fast. I am thinking strongly about not getting a RTR too so I know more about everything. Let me know what you all think. Thanks

--Mike

 

[savage25rocks]

Like olds said if you're not planning on racing why not get an mt? My bro got a revo a couple weeks back hes new to this hobby but any way it is the same traxxas .15 but does hit 40 mph pretty quick. Revos are more like a racing mt, 4wd of course. since you dont want an mt I'm not gonna tell ya to get a savage. My friend has a Schumacher menace he wants to sell service is great but parts are hard to come by and expensive where he lives. Spent more time fixen than driving. if you choose to get and mt than give the revo a look (savage too)

 

[olds97_lss]

I just want to drive on pavement/dirt fast.

Believe me... after about 2 tanks worth of fuel, your going to take a look and a bump or a ditch and think "I bet I can ramp that!".

Happens all the time... It's a disease known as WishIdaBoughtAnMTitus.

Good luck with whatever you buy. Just make certain to do your research if you want to avoid some future headaches with any vehicle.

 

[shipstylin]

does anyone have any opinions on Schumacher?? I like it for the speed and 4WD but I am afraid it might be too expensive like $429 plus the controller which is over $200. Any suggestions on a truck like the Schumacher Menace 21 but around $500 for the controller and the truck together? I want something fast and 4WD are there any other trucks/cars you would recommend. How is the speed and quality of the HPI RS4 MT2?

--Mike

 

[savage25rocks]

Schumachers are fast and have good service if you have seen some other forums but parts are expensive and hard to come by. My friend had alot of broken parts from just driving hes been in this hobby for about 27 yrs revos are quick over 40mph had my bros 43mph theyre around $450 somethin like that. Savages will hit 40 and maybe over wit the right tuning personally i like the savage alot more torque. I say go for like a revo or savage. Revos are closer to the ground like a ST savages are more like a Mt should be (big block) revos have a small block. Savages come as a kit or RTR. Good luck!

just noticed you said you didnt want a mt. Why? I made the mistake of getting a losi xxxnt for my first rc. After about 30 min of messin around i wanted to jump it of the roof. So i did it broke front shock tower bulk heads and a arms. If you insist on ST go with losi xxxnt rtr or a kit the adam drake edition. I wouldnt get a rustler i havent seen one but I ve heard that it doesn't handle well and will keep doing a wheelie. But I still say go with a revo or savage if not a losi xxxnt. good luck

 

[Collegedub]

I have the HPI MT2 and I seem to have similar interest in RC as you (go fast on short grass/pavement, small bump-style jumps, 4wd). I thoroughly enjoy the MT2. It comes out of the box ready to rock and roll nicely and there is a decent aftermarket for it to upgrade. It has taken all the little bumps I've given it. Just don't drive it into a brick-trimmed flower bed. It doesn't like that

IMHO, the MT2 is very nice. I have no experience with other stadium trucks but i'm sure an Associated, Team Losi, etc. truck is great also.

Good luck!

-Alan

 

[jon2]

Believe me... after about 2 tanks worth of fuel, your going to take a look and a bump or a ditch and think "I bet I can ramp that!".

Happens all the time... It's a disease known as WishIdaBoughtAnMTitus.

Good luck with whatever you buy. Just make certain to do your research if you want to avoid some future headaches with any vehicle.

I got that disease when I got a HPI rtr 3 and a Nitro tc3.

I wanted to do tricks with my onroad car but knew I would pa for it in the end.

I got into MT's and ST's and MT's will outlast the ST's IMO!

Funny thing is I got into 1/ 8 Th scale buggies and man the durability along with the speed is just cool. Better control TOO!

I would look into getting a MT or an 1/8 scale or a Truggy ( buggy converted to a MT)

Look in the For sale thread. Lots of great looking rides there. What do you plan on doing with it in the future? Parts availability ? Questions like these are the ones you should ponder on. Who knows you just may turn out to be a MT fan after all!

Good luck
Jon

 

[shipstylin]

I have been looking and I see what you are talking about with the schumacher parts hard to come by (unless I move to U.K.). I am going to stop at my LHS andsee which he can get if he has access to the schumacher and MT2 then i will get the schumacher but if he only has access to hpi stuff I will probably end up getting the MT2. Is the .15 engine big enough for my need for speed though?? Thanks

--Mike

 

[savage25rocks]

depends on what youll use it for. I dont know how fast it is. Before you make decide look at some videos and see the truck/car in action the revo I m pretty sure is faster than the mt 2 but I havent see one in action but have seen a video on www.hpiracing.com. Revo is on www.traxxas.com. it is a good idea to see what your hobby shop has and what they can get quickly. you have to have a deep pocket to own a menace 21. break it before you upgrade it. should be schmachers slogan because they are expensive. some videos for menace are on http://www.beatyourtruck.com/beatings.html there is one on there where the engine falls out of a menace. watch some videos thats how i decided

almost every decent hobby store sells hpi stuff. Schumacher wouldnt be bad if parts werent so expensive and easy to get. But thats not the case. my lhs could get the parts for my friend but wouldnt because they would lose money to get them. I dont understand that. .15 should be enough to give you a decent top speed. revo has a .15 and weighs 14lbs somethin in that nature and pulls itself to 40 mph. I would encourage you to go with the revo because any hobby shop sells traxxas hop ups and replacements.

 

[AC48]

If you want do drive on your track, on dirt, or ona road I think a 1/9th scale buggy is for you. It handles pretty damn good on road for an off road vehicle. It handels very well on dirt and they go very fast. You can put a huge motor in them, anything up to a .28 will fit. Personally, I think that is the best fit for you.

THe RS4 MT2 is slower and doesn't handle as good because it runs a smallblock engine, and has longer, softer suspension. Don't get me worng, that is a fun truck to drive and is cheaper than a buggy. .21s are just more fun I think, with the added torque and horse power.

Schumacher would be great, but they are more expensive. Not too many places carry parts for them. The Fusion is an on road car, and would not be suited for dirt. the Menace would be a great option, from what I have read it is very fast, like in the 50 mph range I think.

 

[shipstylin]

The reason I did not want a MT for the most part was because I thought they were slow. But after watching the Videos of the REVO I admit I am wrong. Are they truely as fast as they look? I am now leaning towards this and I know my local hobby shop sells them and the parts. Anyone with a Revo are you happy with the speed of it? Also do they sell different bodies for it? I have heard since it is a lower sitting suspension you could put smaller tires and a rally type body on it, is this true? I would love it if it was. Thanks for all the help so far guys

--Mike

 

[savage25rocks]

YES i thought youd never ask user friendly read my other post 43 mph different bodies are available smaller tires but will make it slower are available also. ez start system is cool too no pulling which is good for beginners. good steering like a ST. Get it from your lhs not from web store because if you have a prob with it they will be more likely to help you.Videos help alot

 

[MustangMan]

Sometimes it comes down to cash too...

I couldn't spend 400-500 on a MT and I got a swinging deal on a HPI MT2 (lower than jobber) and love it. It does great around the house and last weekend I went to a track with it to learn how to jump and it didn't do half bad. I already broke a front control arm from a bad landing (if you want to call it that!) and replaced it, along with some better shock oil. It's a fun truck that is a great alternative to my RS4 when I want to get "dirty"...

The 4WD reall helps, and becuase it is an HPI and it is based off the RS4 platform there's tons of parts for it as close as my Hobby Town!

Hope this helps...

 

[shipstylin]

I think I am going to get....

I have read nothing but good on forums about the Revo so I think I am going to make it my choice. Go figure from someone who didn't want a monster truck when I joined this forum. Now I just have to wait for the dispute from the credit card company to finalize. Don't buy R/C's off the internet stick to your local hobby store. I have learned first hand. I went to my LHS and he offered to help me even though I didn't buy the car from him. When I brought it into him that is when I learned what had happened (glow plug fell apart and must have fell into the piston, thank god I didnt put any fuel in it yet)and that the r/c (smartech winner sport buggy) my father got me for xmas was poop and the guy who sold it to him was running a company out of a condo in arizona. Hopefully should be resolved with the month and I'll fork over an extra couple hundred and get the Revo. What else should I get? I got blue thunder fuel (1gal), glow plug ignitor, glow plug wrench, fuel bottle, and after run oil. Do I need anything special to start the revo or can I use any cordless screwgun? Thanks for the help

--Mike

 

[savage25rocks]

You need a 6 cell battery a good one and charger. can't use a drill because it has something like a car starter. Dont need a glow ignitor because when you use ezstart it ignites the glow plug automatically. 2 extra glow plugs (they seem to go through them faster than other cars). It is a good idea to stick with the same fuel while you have that engine. Thats what my lhs says I just listen because I buy my fuel from there anyway.

 

[olds97_lss]

Using an external glow plug heater vs using the wire that comes from the EZ start will give you better/easier starting results and it won't drain the EZ start pack as quickly.

 

[savage25rocks]

well yeah but for newbs its better to use the lead wire to heat it and easier either way will work.