Before I start, I'd like to mention that once upon a time, this kit could be had for about $170, yes a Tamiya with bearings, oil filled shocks, a body , and modern plastic for $170.
Now it's $300 for us Americans, or if you live in Japan the yen equivalent of $150.
Is it worth $300? TLDR Nope.
I picked up a used one hoping to use it as an on-road basher (I've tried rallying 1/10 cars, I didn't like it), and to see what the fuss was about.
For starters, because it's a Tamiya it has to have a "gimmick" to fix, this time its a transmission that allows a pin to slip and ruin an idler gear. Tamiya will happily sell you metal gears, a slipper clutch, but not simply supply the shim that actually fixes the issue.
Luckily I never ran mine enough to have that happen, I did have the belt loosen up and loose its mesh several times (under brushed NiMH power). And despite very little use by the PO, the shocks leaked even after I re-built/slimed them.
As an on-roader...the XV01 isn’t great out of the box, I tried various springs, TRF shocks, different tires... my lightly modified TT02R always turned better lap times on my home made track.
As a rally car...I admittedly never tried it, no where to run one, and I prefer off-roaders that can actually jump. I can say that the gear cover doesn't seal well at all, you can just pry it back with your finger.
If you're into hopping-up one, get familiar with PlazaJapan, getting hop-ups for an XV01 isn't that easy. Even getting the right shim is annoying.
Now it's $300 for us Americans, or if you live in Japan the yen equivalent of $150.
Is it worth $300? TLDR Nope.
I picked up a used one hoping to use it as an on-road basher (I've tried rallying 1/10 cars, I didn't like it), and to see what the fuss was about.
For starters, because it's a Tamiya it has to have a "gimmick" to fix, this time its a transmission that allows a pin to slip and ruin an idler gear. Tamiya will happily sell you metal gears, a slipper clutch, but not simply supply the shim that actually fixes the issue.
Luckily I never ran mine enough to have that happen, I did have the belt loosen up and loose its mesh several times (under brushed NiMH power). And despite very little use by the PO, the shocks leaked even after I re-built/slimed them.
As an on-roader...the XV01 isn’t great out of the box, I tried various springs, TRF shocks, different tires... my lightly modified TT02R always turned better lap times on my home made track.
As a rally car...I admittedly never tried it, no where to run one, and I prefer off-roaders that can actually jump. I can say that the gear cover doesn't seal well at all, you can just pry it back with your finger.
If you're into hopping-up one, get familiar with PlazaJapan, getting hop-ups for an XV01 isn't that easy. Even getting the right shim is annoying.
Last edited: