Newbie, first car around 200 dollars

[jstutzman]

Guys, i have been looking around and found some great trucks in the 350 to 400 dollar range. I'm asking if anyone has any experience with some cheaper ones. I'm looking to get one for me and my two boys to play around with. I dont need a professional model or anything just a decent quality truck. I absolutely do not plan or racing or anything. I just want a good quality truck to rip around the yard with once an a while. Is there anything out there in the 200 dollar range that would fit this bill? I would like to stick to the larger 1/8 or 1/10 sizes because i would like to use it in the snow a little also. Probably 4wd would be a good option considering how i want to use it. I have read the introductions and some good newbie posts. I think if i was going to spend 400 dollars i could pretty easily make a decision. Any help is appreciated. I'm thinking something like this
http://www.nitrorcx.com/51c08-green-24ghz.html
http://www.nitrorcx.com/51c08-green-24ghz.html

 

[MudSlinger33]

I would stay away from exceed, they are a very cheap brand made with very cheap parts and when you break something, chances are a local hobby shop will not carry the parts you need. I suggest going with this...http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNJH9**&P=ML It is only 2wd and electric but is of much better quality than exceed and most hobby stores will carry spare parts for it. It would also be the better choice because it is waterproof so you can run it in the snow. Or if you want to run nitro...http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRUS3**&P=ML A bit more spendy but worth it in the long run.

 

[Phins Fan]

While not much better in quality IMO these might be around what your lookin for:

http://www.redcatracing.com/RC-Cars/1-10-Scale-Nitro/Volcano-S30-Truck-24

Again not a huge fan of em but if $200ish is all youve got it may be worth it. Tall enough to go thru the grass and bash around in some dirt yet quick enough to still put a grin on your face! Just my .02

 

[hamz9561]

I'd recommend saving a bit more and getting a nicer rig for a first truck. Here's a nice Short Course Truck for not too much more:

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product...WD-Short-Course-Truck-w-24GHz-Battery-Charger

 

[RevoJoe]

I'd recommend saving a bit more and getting a nicer rig for a first truck. Here's a nice Short Course Truck for not too much more:

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product...WD-Short-Course-Truck-w-24GHz-Battery-Charger

Agreed. Traxxas make good quality trucks for cheaper, and because its a big brand, most shops will stock parts for them.

The best thing I could suggest, is find something in your price range, and do the ring-around. See who, if anyone, stocks the parts for your selected truck. As a rule of thumb, if a shop sells the truck, they will have the parts. A downside to this, is that if its a cheaper brand, they will only stock the parts that commonly break. If its a bigger brand, they will have almost everything. Parts availability is the achilles heel of RC'ing.

Definitely go with electric as your first rig. They are less expensive in the long run, and with the advancement in tech, they give nitros a good run for their money.

 

[Phins Fan]

IMO forget about these "go electric" wimps and go head first into a nitro! 1/2 the reason we get involved in this hobbie is because we had that neighbor or guy down the street who had 1 and thought it was the coolest thing smelling those fumes and listening to those engines revving as they pulled wheelies all day long! IMO Electrics @*#$% (Insert expletitive) suck! Go nitro!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HPI-Killer]

I agree with saving a little more coin for your rig. Going cheap will MOST likely end up busted & broken with no money or the how-to knowelage to fix therefore leaving you hi n dry on the RC pony.\\IMO I would stick with a name brand i.e Traxxas, HPI, Losi, Associated, Kyosho.

 

[Greywolf74]

I agree with saving a little more coin for your rig. Going cheap will MOST likely end up busted & broken with no money or the how-to knowelage to fix therefore leaving you hi n dry on the RC pony.\\IMO I would stick with a name brand i.e Traxxas, HPI, Losi, Associated, Kyosho.

+1.... stick with name brand. Traxxas is your best bet for cheap yet decent quality. Redcats, Exceed, and virtually all the other off brands will just end up being a money pit as they dont hold up very well.

 

[mayrider]

craigslist is a good place to find decent priced used rigs if your willing to take on someone else's headache and don't mind alittle wrenching. I see used HPI and traxxas monstrtrucks all the time for under 100.00 just needing alittle TLC

 

[hamz9561]

A used rig isn't a good idea for a beginner. Also buying a rig from a local hobby shop (lhs) means that there is someone there to help when you get stuck. I would stay away from Craigs list or eBay until you get some experience. I also recommend starting electric and then after you're used to the speed and power of hobby grade RCs then add the complexity of a nitro engine.

 

[FrostByte25]

Well being new to the hobby...My Redcat Tornado s30 has pleased all my expectations.. Yeah Redcats/Acme/Exceed are on the low end but she still runs great... Just dont wreck it too bad and youll be alright..

Here are a few Himoto's i found for a reasonable price.
http://www.rctoyhouse.com/2_4_Ghz_1_8_MEGA_P_MXT_RC_NITRO_MONSTER_TRUCK_p/gc-hi904t-08614.htm

http://www.rctoyhouse.com/2_4_Ghz_HIMOTO_1_10_Viper_RC_Nitro_Gas_Truck_p/gc-hi6103-334.htm

there like 20-40 dollars over your 200 dollar mark... But they are nitro 4wd Monster Trucks..

Also remember there are quite a few "hidden" costs in nitro.. You gotta get a Glow igniter, Fuel, Glow plugs, after-run oil, air filter oil.......just to name the basics you need to run it...

And by the way dont be scared to go head first into nitro... I did and I'm loving every thing about it... Just read,read,and read some more! Nitros just go and go....no rechargeing silly batteries like on those electrics (except for your RX and TX on a nitro)

FrostY

 

[fescue101]

dont buy redcat i had the s30 and had nothing but problems. it also takes for ever to get parts when you could got to the hobby shop and get the parts if you bought one of the better brands. now i have all traxxas and have the revo 3.3 erevo slash 4x4 and the stampede xl-5 and i have spet half the money on part on all four compared to the one redcat car that was a money pit. i recomend the stampede nitro or electric for a starter.you won't be dissapointed!

---------- Post added at 1:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 1:03 PM ----------

nothing against you liking your redcat but i just had a bad exerience. my s30 was fun but it just seemed to break alot and it is probaly why i am not afraid to take anything apart anymore.but not until after getting traxxas stuff did i understand what everyone was saying about getting one of the top brand like losi,hpi,associate,or traxxas.
but anything that gets someone in the hobby and they have fun with it is ok with me

 

[cwal1774]

I agree stay away from used stuff for your first rig and save a litle coin and go with a good brand like Traxxas or HPI, Associated, Losi. How old are your boys? The reason I ask is because these aren't toys like you find in Wal-Mart. These things are wicked fast wether they are electric or nitro and can be quite a handful in inexperienced hands. Having said that I think it's great that you want to get them into this hobby with you. I would say that going electric is a good idea for your first one. Nitro can be frustrating if you're not really experienced with it. That's where i started from and as I gained expereince and confidence I stepped up to nitro because imho it's just more fun and realistic plus I love the sound they make and the smell and smoke. Plus most nitros have more than just one speed. Most are 2 speeds and some are 3 speeds and it's just really cool to hear the transmission shift like a real car. What ever you decide have fun and welcome to the hobby!

 

[FrostByte25]

dont buy redcat i had the s30 and had nothing but problems. it also takes for ever to get parts when you could got to the hobby shop and get the parts if you bought one of the better brands. now i have all traxxas and have the revo 3.3 erevo slash 4x4 and the stampede xl-5 and i have spet half the money on part on all four compared to the one redcat car that was a money pit. i recomend the stampede nitro or electric for a starter.you won't be dissapointed!

---------- Post added at 1:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 1:03 PM ----------

nothing against you liking your redcat but i just had a bad exerience. my s30 was fun but it just seemed to break alot and it is probaly why i am not afraid to take anything apart anymore.but not until after getting traxxas stuff did i understand what everyone was saying about getting one of the top brand like losi,hpi,associate,or traxxas.
but anything that gets someone in the hobby and they have fun with it is ok with me

Yeah when you have a wife that puts a limit on what you can get your pretty much stuck with the cheapo's lol. I've ran close to a gallon through it and it hasnt been a money pit yet..keyword "yet"..but we shall see! I gots lotsa bills and two kids... so thats where all my cash goes...i gotta remember this is just a hobby and can't impose on my everyday living. Plus I'm bad bout saving money.

And also its just hard for me to justify spending 400-500 on a "toy" as my wife would say, not knowing if your going to enjoy it as much (or your kids) and having the time to fiddle with it... But hopefully a Traxxas or something better is in my future cause I'm really diggin this Tornado S30. Its been a good entry level car for me in my situation... Maybe the wife will let me upgrade once she see's how much I'm enjoying this hobby...

FrostY

 

[jstutzman]

thanks guys for all your help. Here is where I'm at now. You have convinced me to not go cheap. I believe ill just wait a bit until i can get a name brand one. It looks like to get a decent quality car and all the stuff to run it I'm in about 400 dollars. This is getting kinda high for something I'm just going to use as a toy. There is almost no way I'm going electric. i wont argue that there are some good electric vehicles out there because i dont know. For me I'm either jumping in all or nothing so to speak. I just dont want to deal with batteries. I'm fairly mechanical and dont mind tinkering with the smaller engines. Again thank you all for your help. As i read more and try to make my mind up, I'm sure ill have more questions.

 

[moe7404]

if you get a nitro rig it will feel more like a full size machine. but the most important thing is to find a good hobby shop. cause you WILL be buying parts.

 

[FrostByte25]

Yeah if you like to tinker with stuff as i do...then nitro is the way to go..Got to tinker and tune almost everytime you run it to get the optimal performance out of your engine...Ambient temps play a big part... I've been tinkering with mine everyday for the past two weeks i just can't put it down!

I'm planning to do a total tear down and clean out tonight...its pretty dirty...plus i need to straighten my front shock mount out cause she took a nice 4ft cartwheel in my driveway today

FrostY

 

[fescue101]

how are your rims? on my s30 they all ended up cracking. i went through 2 sets before i found out that slash rims fit and will give you a little more ground clearance.

 

[forest]

redcat volcano s30
but i did look at those cars never heard of them at all i like some of there looks especially for the price but not the truggys of theres and truggys are my favorites....

 

[mayrider]

A used rig isn't a good idea for a beginner.

I don't completely agree I just got in this hobby last april, I have bought four rigs now and not one of them being new (still have three of them). it depends all on the type of person you are. are you a person that would buy a 57 chevy belair out of a barn in the middle of Iowa that needs completely restored or are you one to go to barrett jackson and buy one that is completely restored but maybe not exactly what you wanted.

I bought my first nitro stampede for 50 bucks from a friend that needed some work but had less than 200.00 in it after I was done. it ran too good for my 5 year old so i sold it (sold it for 200.00) and bought 1 3/4 electric rustlers off craigs list for 80.00 that had two dynamite chargers with it also which inturn i made two rustlers (one for each kid).
my Jato I bought off ebay with a complete alum front end 2.4 controller a tool box and multiple spare parts for the price of a new Jato.

when you get in this hobby its not all about bashing and racing there WILL be some maintenence involved I don't go one day with out messing with one of our rigs which is half the fun.