What would you start with?

[Mistertwoo]

I have been reading threads with suggestions being made for others and now I want a turn. I am new to the hobby and am looking to make my first purchase but don't know what kind of vehicle to get to fit my needs. I want to be able to drive it primarily in grass as there are many places available to do so. I know I will also want to drive it on dirt, gravel, and pavement. I am also close to an off-road track (http://www.sriraceway.com/) that I would like to try out so I don't want to buy something that does not fit into any class and can not be raced. I noticed in one race series there are classes for buggy and truggy but did not see monster truck. Would a 1:8 or 1:10 truggy run well in grass?

Another factor I am thinking about is waterproofing. I want to be able to drive on wet grass or snow if possible. I read that Traxxas offers an electronics waterproofing kit. Are they the only ones?

Should I start with a RTR vehicle or would Getting a kit be a good investment. As mentioned several places on this forum, I don't want to try to take a cheap route that ends in more expenses in the long run.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for thee feedback.

 

[chickenman242]

If you want to run at a track maybe go for something form losi
Traxxas is a bit more aimed at bashers but could be setup for basic racing for al round versatility maybe look at a revo or t maxx, the latter being cheaper but without heavy modding is useless on the track
Bit cheaper look at a slayer pro or the best beginners rig I have seen /used go for a stampede

Of course there are other brands to look at , my preferred choice is traxxas others are probably more capable but I have found the best support and parts suppy is from traxxas

 

[Sixtysixdeuce]

A 4WD short course truck would be the best choice, IMO. Brand preference or nitro vs electric can be hashed out if you decide this might be the vehicle for you.

Should I start with a RTR vehicle or would Getting a kit be a good investment

RTRs are cheaper in both senses of the word. Kits will come with higher quality components, and you get to select your running gear and radio equipment. I'd say if the vehicle you like comes in kit form, you'll ultimately be better off. Larger up-front investment, but generally less expensive in the long run.

 

[chickenman242]

I have to agree on the short course trucks, I think an rtr is the best bet for an inexperienced person but it depends on how mechanically minded you are

 

[Cornholio]

I have to agree on the short course trucks, I think an rtr is the best bet for an inexperienced person but it depends on how mechanically minded you are

This for sure.

 

[Nitro Nerd]

What is your budget, and do you have a preference (nitro or electric)?

 

[BillyC74]

You seem interested in truggys. They would fit your needs very well. A truggy from a good company is fast, durable and very versatile.

 

[Mistertwoo]

I am pretty set on nitro and am mechanically inclined but not wanting to dive in to deep to fast. I have kind of decided on RTR for the fact that I don't want to put in the required research time for each of the components considering I have no first hand experience yet.

I went to my local hobby shop and they recommended a buggy, ofna ultra lx2. We compared it to a short course truck and it had better ground clearance, heavier al shocks, and a bigger motor. It is also $150 cheaper than the Traxxas Slayer Pro. I asked about parts availability and they carry parts for it.

The shop has a off-road track they intend to get up and running again in the spring and said they do not have a class for nitro short course trucks.

I was going to ask those that recommended a short course truck for the reasoning over a buggy or truggy?

Obviously the LHS will only recommend something they have to sell me, so what is the forums opinion of ofna? What other brands should I consider?

 

[Nitro Nerd]

I was going to ask those that recommended a short course truck for the reasoning over a buggy or truggy?

Obviously the LHS will only recommend something they have to sell me, so what is the forums opinion of ofna? What other brands should I consider?

Short-course is mainly electric and most places race that class. 1/8 Nitro Buggy/Truggy is racing king. I think you made a gopd choice. I have an OFNA Hyper 7 and it's great and have heard a lot of good things about the LX2.

 

[Sixtysixdeuce]

I went to my local hobby shop and they recommended a buggy, ofna ultra lx2.

That is a very good buggy for entry level, probably the best value out there at <$300 brand new. The OFNA Force .28 is no Picco/Novarossi/OS//RB/etc., but it runs pretty good and is stone-axe reliable.

We compared it to a short course truck and it had better ground clearance, heavier al shocks, and a bigger motor.

What SCT were you comparing it with? My OFNA Ultra LX Comp certainly doesn't boast better ground clearance than my Associated Prolite 4x4:

Technically, the Prolite is 1/10 scale, but it is about the same size as a 1/8 buggy.

I will say the the buggy is more graceful on the track, and a little tougher, but also no as capable in a bashing role, namely due to the buggy having a center diff, while the Prolite has a solid shaft between front and rear (AWD vs. true 4WD, basically).

Having said that, both of them get around pretty good, and I've beat the hell out of each with very few problems. The SCTs take a tumble very well, though, with so much protection from the bumpers and body.

Both of these are very quick, but the Prolite is faster on the top end. Downside is, running the thing on 3S all the time, I get overtemp shutdowns after a couple of back-to-back packs, and I don't expect good motor life with the kind of temps it reaches, where the LRP .32 in the buggy can be raped all afternoon non-stop without an issue.

It is also $150 cheaper than the Traxxas Slayer Pro. I asked about parts availability and they carry parts for it.

Traxxas isn't the only one in the nitro SCT game. Losi and OFNA have offerings, both of which I'd personally choose over the TRX for a number of reasons.

 

[hamz9561]

Associated also offers a nitro SCT. I also like the nitro Monster Trucks like the Revo and Savage.

 

[Sixtysixdeuce]

Associated also offers a nitro SCT.

Not a 4x4, though. The SC10GT is a GT2 with SC bumpers & body. Nothing wrong with that at all (love my GT2), but it really doesn't seem that the OP is after a 2WD anything.

They used to offer the SC8GT 4x4, but that has been discontinued (sadly).

 

[Mistertwoo]

I am not sure the brand of the SCT at the shop, it was a 1/8 scale electric and I did not look at it much more than that, I know it was none of the ones I have heard of yet, AE, HPI, Traxxas, or Ofna. The difference in ground clearance was very little. The ofna has adjustable ride heigh and the springs were set at max height.

In searching buggies ad truggies I think I found I like what HPI offers a little better. The ofna would require a fail safe. So from the LHS that is $309 + $27 totaling $336. For $389 I can get the HPI trophy 3.5 buggy which includes a built in fail safe. It also says it is waterproof which seems like a big bonus. But then there is the HPI trophy 4.6 truggy for $439. It is more but has a bigger motor. I didn't notice any other major differences. Is it worth it to have the bigger motor?

 

[BillyC74]

The hpi f4.6 is about a good as is gets for a rtr engine, imo. Hpi is a good company, you'll be happy with either the buggy or the truggy.

 

[maddmike]

The f4.6 is a strong runner imho and the trophy looks top notch