Traxxas Sport SE or Rustler? Am I The Only One!?

[Lumberjack_Matt]

Am I the only one who thinks the Sport SE is cool?
It looks a tad under-powered, but thats somewhat the reason I chose it.
Looks like a fun easy to learn nooby car, with alot of different ways to upgrade it. It appears to me, that Traxxas users like the Rustler quite a bit more over the sport. However, it also appears theres not really that much difference between the too.

I chose the sport over the rustler for a few reasons. It was a bit cheaper, a tad slower, and has lots, and lots, of room for uprgrades (which is a big deal to me). I wanted a truck that was gonna be an easy, and fast learn, and the type of starter car everyone expects to see. However, to my dismay, not many people are very fond of the Sport SE.

Something I may be overlooking though, is that I also chose the car because I wanted to physically work on it, and spend literally hours upgrading it.

Whats the difference between the Rustler and the Sport???

As far as I can tell they are identical except for:

Engine- Sport has .15 and Rustler has .25, but the can both be upgraded.
Spur Gear- Ruslter comes with a 72 Toothed gear, Sport comes with a 70, but they both can be upgraded along with the bell gearing for better preformance.
Body- Rustler chassis looks a bit stronger than the Sport with more metal parts used.

So basically is the body the only thing making the defining difference in the Rustler, scince basically you can upgrade a Sport to be as powerful, if not surpassing a Rustler without any upgrades?

 

[robmob]

The Rustler also comes with a .15 mill, not a .25 as you stated. It's the TRX 2.5 racing engine which is a .15 on steroids.

 

[Lumberjack_Matt]

Oh yeah, I see that now, thanks. But that still doesn't really answer my question. Whats the main difference that causes such a dramatic price gap, and why do people prefer it over the sport?

Did I make a wrong decision getting the Sport over the Rustler as a starter truck?

 

[robmob]

You can check the specs on both rigs at Tower Hobbies to compare the differences.

I believe the Nitro Sport is based on the Rustler and is meant as an entry level nitro RC.

The major cost difference can be attributed to the engines. The .15 cost about $30 less than the TRX 2.5.

 

[wmfateam]

I have a nirto rustler and the thing is a blast! I suggest upgrading the rear shock tower and stock tires first. I went through the stocker tires before I fininshed break-in. And the rear shock tower, broke 3 before going to an Aluminium front and rear. After that she has been a tank.:arrr:

 

[Lumberjack_Matt]

You think I could buy the alluminum parts and replace them with the stock Nitro SE parts?

 

[Racer 1966]

My first nitro r/c was an older sport. It has the pro .15, but when tuned right it wheelies and top speed keeps it real close to my Savage. My son still runs it and so do I when the Savage breaks.

I'm sure you can buy the aluminum parts and add them, but you will probably end up with more $$ in it than the extra the Rustler would have cost. IMO, just rust run it how it is and enjoy. If a particular parts seems to break too often then upgrade that part.