Newbie, Would I be Better Off Buying New or Used?

[matrix1272]

I am thinking of going with a Savage or a Traxxas of some kind, thanks to all of you that have been helping me on this Forum, Thanks! Anyway, Would I just be Better off Buying New (Have Warranty), or Buying Used from like Ebay and not knowing exactly what I am getting, no matter what they tell you? And Either way I go (Say with a Savage) what else do I Need to buy right off hand when I buy the Truck? Thanks All!

 

[4u2nv]

Depends on what you have to spend I guess. If you want to get by cheaper, then get a used one (Id get one off here before Ebay FOR SURE) but if ya can afford to buy new, then Id suggest getting a new one (Savage). then if you choose to hop it up, itd be to your own liking.

 

[woody]

Buying used is OK, but I would buy from a reputable LHS. Or, I would buy from somebody that takes good care of their RC's! I have bought stuff off of flea bay before, but you really take your chances. Hence I have since stopped purchasing goods off of flea bay! You might even want to go to the local race track and see if anybody is selling something! Some things you might want to purchase to go along with your truck would be a glow ignitor, battery pack for the roto start (if your engine has a roto start), fuel, extra glow plugs, maybe a battery pack for the receiver/servos, maybe an extra crystal or two, fail safe, and that's about all I can think of! That's just the basics! Good luck and happy RC'ing!

Woody

 

[NCNitro]

If you can afford it go new. No matter what a seller says, unless you know the person very well, used is a crapshoot. If you get a new rig you know the condition, theres no question. Things you will need right away would be...fuel, fuel filler bottle, batteries, and preferably a battery pack for the receiver, a glow plug igniter, and an extra plug or two. This should get you going, then you can start upgrading as the dollars allow.

 

[SMaxxin]

I find ebay great for buying parts, but If you can afford new that would be the better choice IMO. If you buy used be prepared to do an engine rebuild at least, it's not always necessary but almost every add says ONLY 1 GALLON or JUST BROKE IN when they actually have a lot more.

 

[Pinblaster]

I can't add much to what everyone else has said so far but, once you get your rig and start running it on a regular basses, you will start eating up batteries in the radio and the truck. So you may want to think about getting some good NiMh battries and chargers.

 

[Plaidfish]

I bought a mystery box for T-maxx stuff off E-bay and scored BIG time....thenI bought a used mini-T and got screwed...even w/ all the pics you see they still can't tell the whole story....the mini-T had half the screw holes stripped....most of the screw heads too...the motor looked brand new but was done....the ESC had glitches...he probably ran it through a puddle and just cleaned it really well.....sucks cause I bought it for my kid and was pretty pissed about it.....then the box of parts was no pics just said..."Ex-boyfriends T-maxx stuff has to go!" no reserve no description.....I bid 20 bucks and the shipping was 27 from Wisconsin......I got over 1000 bucks in aluminum parts and all kinds of goodies...I tried to turn it down when she gave me the shipping quote too.....point is you gamble big time either way be prepared w/ a back up plan if you lose....

 

[rbmaxxbasher]

I've always bought used, provided the price was right. However I wouldn't buy my first off of Ebay. Either an LHS or a friend is all I would buy from. If you buy used, go for one that doesn't have a motor on it, and pay respectively for it. ~$150 or so. Then go and buy the motor of your choice, new. Then break it in yourself to the manual specs and there is no question of condition.

Reason why I say this is because I've put a new motor on every used nitro that I've bought. (T-maxx, Nitro MT, Nitro Rustler, GS Storm)
The motors were crap on the first three and the storm didn't even have a motor on it.
When you buy used, check the range on the radio, and the condition of the diffs. If those are good then, go for it.

This way you have a like new rig and money to fix it when you break something.

 

[rocknbil]

If you've never owned a nitro - GO NEW. Most of the stuff on eBay that's used will require a (slightly) experienced eye to spot troubles. You get a manual, warranty, instructions, and the assurance that if something's screwed up, it came screwed up form the factory and is covered by the warranty.

The most important thing you can do with a new nitro - BUDDY UP! Find someone who knows nitros and they'lll be glad to coach you through your first run or two. This is going to save you TONS of time and frustration, and probably a lot of money and breakage.

What you need to buy depends on what comes with it, and sometimes you want to wait until you get it to get the right stuff - to add to the previous lists, tools, for example. Which ones you'll need and which sizes. Lots of leeeetle allen wrenches for these puppies.

So, definately:

- Fail safe - these are only $25 or so and the best investment you can make. If the receiver loses a signal, it pushes the throttle to full closed and applies the brake. As opposed to staying wherever it's at until you can catch it (which is, by Murphy's law, almost always full throttle.)

- Glow-start (two if you can afford it) and charger
batteries/and or pack for receiver, and method of charging

- Ditto on transmitter (8 AA size)

- 20% nitro fuel - this is the best AVERAGE fuel for cost vs. power- Squeeze-type fuel bottle

- After Run Oil or mix up your own batch, 50/50 Marvel Mystery Oil and Automatic Transmission Fluid

- Spare plugs, if you don't know which ones to get, a medium range OS 8 or MC-59 (which is actually hot but works well) will do for almost anything
- Tools! Generally allen drivers, small wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.

Optionally, maybe, or maybe not:
- Glow plug wrench if the kit doesn't come with one
- Temperature gauge
- Starter box (not likely with an RTR)
- Roto start or starter box battery and charger (ditto)