new to r/c...looking for opinions on a good nitro truck

[Banshee]

hey, i decided i kinda want to get involved into the whole r/c thing. i have always liked r/c cars. i used to have one of them crappy radio shack ones but i havent used that in forever.
now i think i want to get myself a nitro stadium truck.
i want a RTR, i definetely dont wanna build a kit. i read that you need to tune the engines sometimes and all that but I'm sure i will learn in due time how to do all that.
well basically i just wanted some opinion on a truck you think i should get and why.
i was looking at the traxxas nitro rustley with the new 2.5 engine. they say it goes 50 mph. thats hella quick. i definetely want a fast truck and i think this is the fastest one.
i know there are others as well like hpi rush and mt, associated rc10gt, and i dont know if losi makes RTR's.
i dont think i will be racing any time soon, but maybe one day after i learn to drive good i will head out to a local track or something and see how it is.

well ill let you guys do the talking now. any and all of your opinions and help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks alot.

 

[specter]

the Rustler is a good truck for bashing and it is fast. The gt and XXXnt's are about the same it all comes down to owners opinion on those 2 trucks. The 2 hpi trucks are not very good and they just discontinued the Rush the Mt is in desperate need of hop-ups but it is almost dirt cheep for a kit a www.hobbypeople.net . Deciding what truck you would like all comes down to what you would like to do with it. If your truck is going to be primarily for bashing the Go with the Rustler (just ask Mayhem) If you want to race get either the Gt or the XXXnt. its all up to you

 

[LarryA]

It depends on what type of a truck you want. You have to decide what you want one for. Each have the uses they are generally designed for. The best makes are (IMO, and in specific order): Associated, HPI, Transax, Losi, Ofna. Parts for these are readily available and upgrades are not that hard to come by. Personally, I'd never buy a Duratrax. I'm working on one for a guy and I'm not at all impressed with it's construction. No offense intended to anyone who owns a Duratrax.

 

[Nitroaddict]

Banshee - Welcome To RCNT!
-------------------------------------

A stadium truck is a great entry level choice. They are easy to drive, very fast, and simple to repair when you cras (u will crash!).

The rustler is a great entry level truck. my only concern would be the fact that the new 2.5 rustler is a little too fast for its chassis. it is very difficult to control.

i would recommend the AE RC10GT RTR. A great entry level vehicle, plenty of power, easy to work on, and comes with everything u need, even a video to show you proper break in proceedures. The Losi is available in RTR ( u asked if it was) but is about 75.00 more than the rc10gt. it comes with a much better radio, but at your level, I'm not too sure that would matter.

Good luck, ask any more questions that u may have, and most of all...Have Fun!

- Anthony

 

[Jamie]

Yes i also recommend the AE RC10GT RTR
It is simple to fix and find the problem because how it is set out its really neat and not crammed in look for yourself you can get this truck for about 250 pounds
Heck i might even buy one myself!!!! ill save my pocket money and birthday money and christmas anyone wanna donate to a speed seeker namely me?

but i also really want a savage ill just have a savage for next xmas... !!!!

 

[Mayhem]

Man go with the rustler. You can controll how fast you go with your finger. The Rustler has plenty of hop-ups And once you get the basics down you will love it. I have driving the xxx-nt yeah its a nice truck but I would NEVER trade my ruster for it. To me it turns better but I have been driving the maxx and that has some poopy turning. The rustler is made my traxxas which had some of the best Customer Service out there, Plenty of hop-up parts, I only no of one company that makes hop-ups for the Losi. I can list a couple for the Rustler. A big thing with the rustler is durabilty, It is the most durable ST out there thats why a beginner should get it, You could slam it into a curb and still come out with nothing put a scratch. I have seen the losi break and break. The biggest weat point on the rustler is the rear shock tower and I replaced that along with some other parts. All and all the rustler is SAWEEEETE.

 

[Banshee]

hey guys thanks for all the quick replies.
i looked around and these are the average prices i found-
nitro rustler-300
ae rc10gt plus-290
losi xxxnt-340

nitro addict you say the rustler is kinda hard to control. is it really that bad? i really like the fact that it goes so darn fast and thats the main reason i have been leaning towards it.
the AE i dont know much about, but you recommend it so it must be pretty good. it probably doesn't go near as fast as the rustler though.
the losi i am starting to like. its a bit more expensive but looks worth it. i know losi's are race worthy and everything and with some upgrades the rtr can probably be an awesome truck. also it comes with the JR radio which are way awesome radios like you said.

well I'm gonna keep looking around and reading and stuff and you guys can keep posting your opinions. ill come back if and when i have more questions. thanks.

 

[Mayhem]

Between the Rustler and the Losi the losi steers better but its not like it don't steer it just don't turn as sharp or anything. I need to take video of it turning honestly its not bad at all.

At my LHS the Rustler is 308 and so is the XXX-NT sport

PS take a look in the Gallery to see some pics.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

The Drake is the shiznit! Absolutely AWESOME! Just gone done pounding a half dozen tanks through it again today and realize just how much I love the thing!

Fast as hell (OS .15 CVR) and handles like a dream. Just SOME of the companies that make hop-ups for it are:

HG - Hammad Gruhman (sp?)
Robinson Racing
RPM
Lunnsford
RC Trix
ProLine
Team Losi Direct (for all the cool graphite!)
Team Trinity

I know there are more but my mind is not with me at the moment.

Later,
Chris

 

[Jamie]

nice get some pics and a video dude i would love to see that beast

 

[Flash-R.C]

Do you like your Losi?

Steve

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Man I love my Losi!

Native Racing is another company that makes a couple of hop-ups for it as well. Just pan through any of the mag's and you will find the companies out there.

Keep in mind, with something like the Adam Drake Edition, you wont really need ANY hop-ups at all. I just put the HG spring cups, upper springs adjustment rings and HG diff gear in it. Along with all yellow RPM ball ends. Got some new tires going on it this week too (and rims)

The rest is vanilla Drake. Oxymoron?!?! Its VERY light so it would take some getting used to, but not much. Easy fresh cut grass runner but eats up dirt and pavement like a dream. I have so much power with the .15 cvr that I have to start at about 8th throttle just so I dont fishtail all over (yes I loosened my slipper)

I would suggest a strong .12 if you dont like mad power on a smaller ride. My next mill will be the Mugen MT .12 (although i dont think it will be any less powerful)

I should have some pics in my gallery - if not, they are on Webshots. My user I.D. is MaxxChris

 

[Flash-R.C]

Man, that sounds amazing. Have you ever tried a GT?

Steve

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Certainly - and its a damn good truck at that! More hop-ups available from what I have seen, however, after driving both I went with the xxx-nt.

They are BOTH GREAT! can't go wrong with either really....

 

[Flash-R.C]

So it doesn't really matter? I was thinking about the Sport and making it into the Adam, does it break easily? Cause I wanna bash the first engine and get the hang of it then get a Startbox and other motor.

Steve

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Converting to a Drake will cost way more than just saving the extra and getting the Drake. The Drake is ALL graphite with a modified Chassis. I have only broken 1 part so far and that was due to not having a failsafe. SIN! Anyhow, I have literally flown this thing 20+ feet in distance at a height of about 7 feet, consecutive times, and drove away every time. It will not hold up to walls, trees or parked cars however.

Its a stadium truck, and stadium trucks are not as beefy as buggies, monster trucks, or even on-roads for that matter. But man are they agile, light and fun as hell to drive.

Even with a stock xxx-nt you will prob have more fun since its a little bit heavier and easier to handle. No need to replace a-arms with anything other than stock if you break them. Ever.

Inexpensive to fix too!

 

[Flash-R.C]

So I shouldn't get one? I don't know if I'm going to race. What would you get if you wanted to bash lots and then eventually race? Maybe

Steve

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

The XXX-NT, ALL DAY LONG.....

That is my preference. I'm sure there are others who would as well.

I know Eddy has both, ask him what he would do.

 

[Flash-R.C]

Ya, Are upgrades more expensive? Like is there anything like RPM arms for the NT as there is for the GT? Do you think I should just get a Rusty or something? Or stick with the NT?

Steve

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Flip a coin - you can't lose on either one.