Rtr?

[Ultra54]

Hello, it's my first thread. I have been out of the hobby for almost 10 years and now that I earn descent money I was thinking about getting a 1/8th scale buggy as I have always wanted one. At least 50% of the enjoyment for me is in the assembly of a model and I notice today that the vast majority of kits are all RTR. What is going on today? Are people to lazy or unskilled to assemble their own? I'm leaning towards the Associated 1/8th scale buggy when it is released and was wondering if I will be able to buy it in kit form or not? Any ideas?

 

[Candyman]

Not sure whether the AE buggy will be in kit or RTR form. Haven't looked that closely yet.
As for RTR as a concept. Well, speaking from experience, RTRs were a great way for me to get into the hobby. They were a bit more affordable to the novice. And they gave me a bit better shot at having a bit of success before I felt like I bit off more than I could chew or just bailed from the hobby. Now that I've been doing this for a number of years, I appreciate the kits and really enjoy building. Maybe more than driving. But for the beginner, it is a good way for them to at least get in and get started.

 

[Ultra54]

I understand if it is made an option but I don't see what good it is if your only option is RTR as it appears to be in many cases.

 

[Rolex]

I've been into RC for a whole lot of years, and everything I got was a kit. Electric cars, airplanes, boats and helis.
I also built many kits for other people. As the hobby got more advanced, more people wanted in, but got kits they couldn't finish. Then ARF and RTR came along. Show up with cash, and you're flying or driving in an hour.
Instant gratification.
I just wish we still had a choice. There are still a few car kits out there for on road, and they are excellent high end cars.
Several people here have posted pics of their entire build process, and yes, it's half the fun.

 

[robmob]

Buy the RTR and take it completely apart. BAM! You have yourself a kit.

 

[Rolex]

LMAO !!! And write your own assembly sheets.

 

[Ultra54]

LOL...I thought of that but it isn't the point. A large part of modeling for me is the quality difference between peoples builds. I am meticulous and enjoy being so with all my toys, offroad bikes,street bikes, snowmobiles, you name it. Call me compulsive but I get off on building stuff and enjoy the skill in doing so. It sound cliche but the problem with kids today is they want everything handed to them on a silver platter, "instant gratification". Call me sick too as nothing feels as good to me as putting in a great effort and being rewarded with a masterpiece that I can take out and compete with. I will base my next purchase on whether or not I can build my own car or not. I will pour over the car on my well lit bench for as long as it takes to complete the project to my satisfaction.

 

[robmob]

I am not a fan of RTR either and will buy kits if they are available.

The RC8 will not initially be available as a kit.

If you want to build a world class buggy that comes in kit form, you should look into the Mugen or Kyosho rigs.

 

[Ultra54]

Right on, that I will then. How is parts availability with those two manufacturers?

 

[robmob]

You should check your LHS to see if they carry parts for either. Otherwise the internet will bring parts right to your doorstep if you don’t mind waiting.

BTW, Jammin also has an excellent buggy in kit form.

 

[Plaidfish]

I thought it was funny even the Factory team version of the RC8 is going to be pre assembled....

 

[Ultra54]

What a difference a few years make. I find it is insulting actually. Do you suppose that offering RTR is just another front on which to compete, meaning the minds within marketing worrying that if they don't offer their cars already made they might lose sales? If so I would wager they are dead wrong. I have always concidered myself a loyal customer of AE but by limiting my choices by getting out of "modeling" then I will drop them like a hot potatoe.

 

[dubdeuce]

I have heard the companies are going to Ready to Race because its cheaper form them. When they send out a kit its been put together and they know all the parts are there and its working properly. There is a large problem with people claiming they did not get all the parts or even certain bags of parts. By the time the materials are used to bag and letter all the parts bags and parts its not much more for cheap labor maybe overseas to assemble the kits.

 

[Timmahh]

seems any more the only Real Kits are the High End Kits. like the Jammin X1-CR FTE kit.
or the Team Losi 8ight Pro Kit. these still come as kits and need full assembly for the most part. the back side is these kits are top shelf items, so will cost as much or near as much as the rtr, but have better componants, and still need motor/exhaust/elects ect.

 

[Plaidfish]

you forgot the three best Mugen , Xray and kyosho....
I still love my XB8 more than any of the others

 

[neobart]

Buy the RTR and take it completely apart. BAM! You have yourself a kit.

Hey I did that with my LST, and LST2. You get an insight in to the inner workings of your truck that RTR buyers just don't get. You save yourself(and others) from mane newb questions.

I even did it with my 8ight-T, and found many things to be wrong with how it was setup as a race roller. The camber arms where as much as 5mm off.
I don't trust any RTR or Race roller to be made up right, so I'd rather just build the kit.

 

[Ultra54]

When I left the scene in 1996 there wasn't a term "race roller" . I think I clued in to it's meaning, to be race ready, set up if you will, from the factory. I highly doubt these are hand made or built by a racer, more like some slave labour force from India or some other 3rd world country. This is not a slight towards impoverished people who get paid a bowl of rice but more a statement against companies that take advantage of them. I would love that job myself if it paid me the 28 bucks an hr I get now...

 

[Rolex]

insight in to the inner workings of your truck that RTR buyers just don't get.

You're absolutely right, neobart. When assembling something, each component is checked by you for perfection, and before you go on to the next, you KNOW you have it absolutely right on. No one would be that particular in a factory doing RTRs.
It's also the enjoyment of seeing your project hit the road, and knowing it's the best it can be, and if there's EVER a problem, you know exactly how to deal with it.

 

[godale03]

Kits are great! Like Rolex said... it is a satisfaction and knowledge that you just don't get with the RTR. Now I am not bashing the RTR's they are a great thing and they have a solid place in the market... I just prefer the enjoyment you get from building it from scratch. I personally think all new folks to RC should build a kit for their first RC. You learn so much just by building it.

 

[dtord]

I will pour over the car on my well lit bench for as long as it takes to complete the project to my satisfaction.

Excellent writing Ultra. :bandit: