New guy here - Don't know what to get

[svirfnebli]

Hello All,

First off, I'm a total newb and just decided that I'm going to realize my childhood dreams and get a nitro. Most probably a buggy as I have a really cool gravel path/ river bed that is 3/4 mile long right by my house. My big fear is that I'm going to buy something and find out that A) I massively overpaid or B) That I bought a POS. My local hobbie shop (hobbie people) has RTR nitros from about $450 to $600 but after looking at ebay it looks like that is overpaying.

I'm a machinist with CNC machines and would love to have something that I could have fun with and make some of my own parts, or have some options for replacing engines etc..

Can anyone recommend a kit/car for me? My wish list would be as follows
- RTR buggy would be nice
- Replaceable parts
- reasonably good top speed
- Reasonably good durability

I'm really looking forward to any replies as I'm totally new to RC nitros and this could be the start of a fun new hobbie for me

svirf

 

[bishiman]

I recently bought my first 1/10 nitro off road truggy. After about a month I bought 1/8 road car of the same brand. I have had no problems with either of them. I have hit curbs going fast, flipped them, and jumped off of a five foot mound of dirt with no trouble. If you are like me, new to nitro, just want to run it, and don't want to spend a fortune, look on ebay for a Redcat Racing nitro. I bought both of mine off of ebay and paid $300 total. Alot of people seem not to like Redcat products, but I have found plenty of parts available online and on ebay. Also, one of the local hobby shops started selling and carrying Redcat products/parts. My 1/8 road car shares the same chasis with their 1/8 monster truck and buggy so with new wheels/tires and suspension adjustment I can run it off-road. Enjoy!

 

[RC Addict]

If you are looking for a top of the line buggy give the Losi 8ight a look-see.

 

[weezracen]

I bought a revo 5308 early this year and I am very very happy with it. I beat the balls off that rig after I broke it in just to see how tough it really was and I would have to give it a A+. Traxxa is a grate company 2 I thought I had a problem with my reciver (wich I didn't) and they sent me a new one. They get a A+ for customer support 2! As for parts theres soooooo many u could get nashuas shopping for them. The stock 3.3 is plenty fast for me as of now and when its not ill be looking for a bb. Anyway if u get a revo and make any parts let us know what ur working on I wish I could work a cnc!

 

[Apples]

Definitly an Aftershock forget the buggy dude fast and durable

 

[RC Addict]

Definitly an Aftershock forget the buggy dude fast and durable

I would agree if he hadn't stated that he really wanted a buggy.

 

[svirfnebli]

I would agree if he hadn't stated that he really wanted a buggy.

I'm not totally set in my ways, this is just the beginning of research phase for me so i dont have my heart set on a biggy. Whats' the aftershock and why is is so cool? (I will be googling shortly as well) ;>

Also, from my limited reading i havent yet been able to determine the benefits or downfalls to owning either a 1/8 or 1/10 .. anyone care to comment?

 

[RC Addict]

The Aftershock is by Losi. It is based on the LST chassis and is a 1/8th Monster truck. I have an original LST and can tell you that it is a way cool truck. If I were starting out and was looking at Monsters that is what I would get. Hands down. http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0012

 

[jnjritz]

While i know you are looking at the buggys. And it is good you have a open mind about all of this i think you should start By asking yourself.... Self? what terrain will i be running on mostly? Street, Dirt, Grass, At the local track (bmx or r/c) Do you want to just bash on a hillside, rock climb, race around the yard, jump?This has alot to do with what to get also. I have a buggy and a couple other types of riggs and they all have different attitudes when it comes to terrain.

 

[qaart]

the revo is a good truck if you were looking for a truck. had mine for a year and only broke a arm

 

[jerry7007]

make sure you can get parts quick! you go through alot of parts in this hobbie, lol.

 

[qaart]

and money lol

 

[Keithoms]

Yes, you do, I'm on week 3 of my truck, I've gone through: 3 steering servos, 1 rear pin holder, 2 clutches..

 

[svirfnebli]

Well it turns out my hobby store is having a sale today ... What do you guys think of this sucker?

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/145635.asp

Good starter rig? Looks like it would be good for gravel and street (mostly what I intend it to do)

 

[Apples]

Man that looks prefect for the purpose you have in mind. Can't say i've ever seen one of them before either !!! Hope it works out ok for you. Just make sure parts are readilly available, streets are tight you might need em lol.

 

[RC Addict]

Parts may be an issue for the XTM unless your LHS stocks them. For that money I would suggest you look at the HPI MT2 G3.0 before you decide. I just wrecked the crap outta one and love it! http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSMG2&P=ML

 

[MonstrousMikey]

nitro cars - stuck n the street. buggys are fast and good handleing lo ground clearace and wheels can't tackle sm terain causeof their size. stdium trucks or truggys are sill pretty fast with more clearance and wheels are larger to tackle larger obstacles. m.trucks huge wheels satisfying speed very durale as their built to bash. starting out isuggest mts because you can tackle whatever terrain u throw at it and from there decide what your next rig sould b based on your developing style. I run a savage xl. expensive but I can bash it anywhere. durable can't break it check out my utube vid for proof lol. glhf any hoice u make you'll have fun. have a good one

 

[xldriver]

i also own a savage XL and i have owned several other models including xtm x-terminator mammoth. traxxas t-maxx, losi LST, and so far my favorite is the savage XL, this truck is very durable therefore your not stuck constantly ordering parts online or buying them from you lhs. Savage XL is the truck for you in my opinion.

 

[abovelegit]

Savage will work for almost any condition, extremely durable and tons of parts available. It only broke once on me, best basher out there. XL is gonna be a bit more expensive than the X, but I think its worth it, can't say for sure sense I have a hopped up X, but I'm still drooling over the XL.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUHD0**&P=ML

http://cgi.ebay.com/HPI-Savage-XL-5...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[xldriver]

definately worth drooling over, its worth every penny i just wished they through in a digital radio and some big bore adjustible shocks!! that would sweeten the deal.