Newbe looking for decent Nitro

[jcw3]

Been looking to get into Nitro RC and with about 4 of 5 co-workers thinking about it as well, I am going to do it. I am looking to put about $300-350 (maybe more if recommended). Mainly looking for a ST that will be fairly quick with nice topend. Like to have something that is able to handle some abuse, but still have decent jumping ablitity if needed (nothing major, just backyard bashing)

Now we are just starting, but maybe in the future I am looking for a RC that will be upgradeable and up to be hopped up to get a few extras out of it.

Mostly I have been reading alot of reviews, since I dont have any friends that own any of these models. But any input will be greatly appriciated. I have search and reviewed heavily, but you you know of a thread that that I have missed please post without flaming.

So far I am looking at:
HPI Nitro Rush
Associated RC10GT
Traxxas Rustler
HPI RS M2 (more than I want to pay, but within reason)
Duratrax Evader

Maybe even the Traxxas Jato, but thats really pushing it.


The LHS is telling me to go with the Duratrax Evader. But I am not sure why he is pushing it so hard.

 

[bigsouljaslim13]

maybe a hpi mt2 18ss would be a good entry rc for you ? I wanna get one myself i just got an rs4 3 18ss touring car a few days ago the thing has crazy power.. either that or just spend a few extra bucks on a savage, if your gonna spend 300$ - 350$ mind as well spend 400$ on a monster that you can beat on like crazy aye, and you would prolly have the best rc out of all of em. but this is just from a rookies perspective.

-good luck

 

[sAvY_mAn]

yea if ur willing to buy a truck i would say to do that. then u can do some serious bashing!!

 

[SpitFireV12RR]

Been looking to get into Nitro RC and with about 4 of 5 co-workers thinking about it as well, I am going to do it. I am looking to put about $300-350 (maybe more if recommended). Mainly looking for a ST that will be fairly quick with nice topend. Like to have something that is able to handle some abuse, but still have decent jumping ablitity if needed (nothing major, just backyard bashing)

Now we are just starting, but maybe in the future I am looking for a RC that will be upgradeable and up to be hopped up to get a few extras out of it.

Mostly I have been reading alot of reviews, since I dont have any friends that own any of these models. But any input will be greatly appriciated. I have search and reviewed heavily, but you you know of a thread that that I have missed please post without flaming.

So far I am looking at:
HPI Nitro Rush
Associated RC10GT
Traxxas Rustler
HPI RS M2 (more than I want to pay, but within reason)
Duratrax Evader

Maybe even the Traxxas Jato, but thats really pushing it.


The LHS is telling me to go with the Duratrax Evader. But I am not sure why he is pushing it so hard.

Good job researching, I just got my buggy after a month + of research. There are two cars that you will want to eliminate first...the HPI Nitro Rush and the Duratrax Evader. HPI makes good rigs, but the Rush was thier attempt at making a 2WD stadium truck and it didn't go well. The duratrax evader just sucks and you LHS guy probally sees money signs in his eyes because the first time you even start it up, something will break on that rig. I myself looked at all of those trucks and I can tell you all(with the exeption of the two I mentioned) are good. If you are looking for just backyard bashing, then you can eliminate the Traxxas Jato. Its a two speed, 2WD truck and even though it's fast, it has no power at all. A friends friend has one and anything other than pavement or packed dirt and he just sits there. The RC10GT is a good truck and even though its 2WD its great for bashing. It was actually either that or my buggy at the LHS. The Traxxas Rustler is a good truck also and it comes with EZ Start which means you push a button and go. I personally don't like those because you can't "feel" what the engine's doing. The MT2 is a great beginner basher and I would have gotten that had it not been for the RotoStart it came with(HPI's EZ Start). Its 4WD and can get you just about anywhere.

For what you're doing, you may also want to look into a 1/8 buggy. It has all the capabilitys of trucks with the option of racing down the road(Some trucks also have that option). I got this: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGUS1&P=0 and even though it was a PITA to start at first, it looks pretty good although I can't say anything since I can't run it till tomarrow. I have heard alot of good things about the GS Storm and Ofna Hyper 7. Might I mention the Ultra LX Comp is about $ 300 and comes with a fuel bottle and glow ignitor all though you'll want to get a rechargable one.

Might I add a few first time suggestions: Instead of using 4 AAs(which I have to do right now because I have no charger for my 6V) you should get a rechargable 6V "Hump" pack like this one: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHUJ3&P=ML . Also invest in a fail safe for many reasons all though I won't list them: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEYG2&P=ML .

Welcome to the greatest site on the web and I hope my post helps you.

Hope this helps,
SpitFire(Todd)

 

[RatzoRC]

HPI MT2 is my pick.
As a veteran with rc's, I still have on for bashing.
Good luck

Duratrax in my opinion is not a very good car maker. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Revo Rancher]

Great write up Todd. Nicely done.

And I agree, the MT2 is probably the best of the litter you picked.

 

[olds97_lss]

Just curious why you want a stadium as opposed to a monster truck?

It appears you will be a basher and not a racer. For grass (park running), actual MT's would serve you better. They have higher ground clearance and depending on what you go with, more power on tap. Most also have 2 speed trannies.

Stadium trucks work in grass, but not as easily as a big block MT.

 

[SMaxxin]

I agree with olds about the MT being better for bashing. But if your want an st my first choice would be an mt2, 2nd choice would be the RC10gt or a Rustler.

 

[jcw3]

There is a local indoor place that setups a few races, so though our guys may get into it. As far as the group goes, we all are looking for a few Nitros that have quick Acceleration and good topend that will allow us to go raceing accross the fields. We all race motorcycles, so I know we are going to get into raceing them, just not sure how soon. I just dont want to dump money in the wrong direction.

As far as accleration and topend, how does the MT2 (being 4wd) compare to the RC10 GT or Rustler? I have heard reviews say the Rustler is weak, and others have said its fast with top speeds of 40-50mph. Seems the RC10 is very tuneable. MT(2)'s look great from reviews, but no one talks about acceleration and speed.

Most of our running will be in trimmed grass areas, and maybe even some dirt tracks. The indoor place we would race at would be carpet. With that, I was thinking the ST would be the better choice, 4WD sounds cool, but not sure if it would hamper the topend of the car.

 

[Revo Rancher]

You've got it about right. The MT2 may be a bit slower in top end than the other two. The Rustler has a rep for being fast, but it is not the best trcuk out there overall. The rc10 is very well liked by a lot of the racers. There is also a Losi ST that is popular with racers.

I still back the MT2 for overall running. 2WD can be fun, but in a variety of off road conditions, nothing beats the overall comfort handling of 4WD. (take a look at 1:1 cars; rally cars vs street cars)

 

[SMaxxin]

If you plan to eventually race it, you might want to find out if they will have a 4wd stadium class. To set the record straight the 2.5 Rustler is very fast and tough but it handles like crap.

 

[jcw3]

I know you are saying the Rustlers handleing is bad, but can't alot of that be adjusted with differant hop-ups and add ons? Or is the orginal design just that bad? I did read a fair amount of reviews that was saying the turning ablity was not up to par like alot of the other similar priced cars.

Its so funny, since I called TWO other LHS today and every shop is pushing the Duratraxx. I guess they are looking for that quick dollar and steady income for parts. Seems there the only places pushing these things. Maybe there HIGH PROFIT.

 

[RcTire]

maybe they just can't get rid of them? you would like the 4wd alot better but i know around here we do not have any classes for 4wd stadium trucks.

 

[bustedgears]

Just to clarify. One GOOD thing about duratrax is that they replace alot of their parts that you'll probably break for free.

Their warrantee is very good. I had an evader, and they have a "stress tech" guarantee on their a-arms, towers, and such.

Other than that if you want two wheel drive, I'd go with the rc10gt, on 4wd, I'd go MT2.