Which Touring Car for Me??

[Bigmaxx2.5]

Well guys I am taking the plunge and trying a road car. I have done some loooking around online and spent some time with the guys who hang at the LHS checking out what they run...

So far I have been all T-Maxx. I have 2 extremely modified T's one in fact has twin motors with superchargers so I am not above wrenching on my rides......

Anyways a few guys I know are getting into the 1/8 scale Serpent 950R....I will never see a real track and that is just a little exotic for parking lot racing in my eyes so I am focusing more on the 1/10 scale stuff. I like the available body styles better and the aftermarket mods available for customizing my ride. That said I am considering the following cars:

1. Associated Nitro TC3
2. HPI RS4 3 Type SS
3. Schumacher Fusion
4. Serpent 710(new)

Now if its just a brand name thing then I dont really care...I dont want to play the ford vs chevy thing. And if all the top cars are close out of the box then it comes down to which is best for ME.

I want to know what the limitations are for each car as far as handling, speeds, modifications, engine choices, drive-line type, suspension type, kit materials and so on and so on.

What my issues are are:

1. Aftermarket support for mods
2. Parts availability stock & mods
3. Car Performance stock & modded

I can handle a complicated kit and infact I enjoy building more than driving them. I like to be able to modify this and that and thats why I decided to focus on this class but if one car can be modified to whoop up on the others thats what I need to know.
What are the pros and cons of each for a base as a parking lot screamer...I do not need to be legal for any track or class just plain old parking lot bashing BUT it will still have to look good standing still.... To be honest the car will probally be highly modified right from the beginning as a nice winter project....but I dont want to buy a bunch of titanium and graphite if there are cars that are already tricked out as much as need be....

I did the search for "best touring car" but it seems alot of the info is brand biased....Based on what I have said which car seems best for ME and my use?? If I have eliminated a good choice please advise....I based my four choices on my LHS inventory and some internet review if I missed a good one by all means throw it in the mix.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Candyman]

Yes, you are going to find almost total biased info wherever you go. I own an HPI Nitro RS4 3. I think it's a good basher but it's not to exotic. It's not the fastest. But it keeps me smiling. I think out of the list you gave, the one with the most potential would be the Nitro TC3. That has tons of hop-up parts available. Whether you want it to be a parking lot racer or for all out competition. The other side of that is...if you just want to be the fastest guy out there. That's where the Shumacher Fusion .21 would fall. Crazy speed. But not quite as good in the handling arena so I've heard.
So my advice? Take it all with a grain of salt. You'll probably get a few different opinions here. I say buy the car that you can get parts for easiest. Nothing worse than staring at a dismantled car for a week while you're waiting for parts.

 

[Team 17]

As far as parts availability goes, the top two is the TC3 and RS4 3 ss. Speed is something that can always be hopped up. They both handle well especially for parking lot bashing. The new Serpent is a little expensive just to bash around in the parking lot, but a very good racer. I've never seen the Schumacher so I won't comment on it.

 

[Supernitro17]

TC3 would be my first choice, then an SS . the tc3 handles a little better out of the box and i think is a little more quality

 

[Somers Racing]

The serpent will be a very fast race car, but is mostly meant to be run on a proper track (groomed) surface or you will spend all that money and reck the car in a few months. Go with the TC3 or SS if you are parking lot racing or bashing
Peter
No efence to anyone, Nitro Fusion is crap. A .12 very good race car will kill it. It doesn't accelerate or handle.
STAY AWAY

 

[Bigmaxx2.5]

Thanks a ton guys.......NTC3 it is...

Next question.....is there anything I should know about the NTC3 or anything that needs to be upgraded "automatically" before I build the kit. Anything thats weak from the start especially when you start putting big power in it...

thanks again guys I appreciate the info!!

 

[Nitroaddict]

Originally posted by Bigmaxx2.5
Thanks a ton guys.......NTC3 it is...

Next question.....is there anything I should know about the NTC3 or anything that needs to be upgraded "automatically" before I build the kit. Anything thats weak from the start especially when you start putting big power in it...

thanks again guys I appreciate the info!!

YES! Make sure you do "the fix" The NTC3 front shock tower is bolted directly to the top diff cover. A strong bump, or minor wreck will constantly cause the shock tower to strip out of the upper diff case. This problem can be corrected by running two bolts up from the bottom diff case and into the rear of the shock tower. There are two holes back there to secure the bolts with. Do a search at RCZ in the NTC3 forum and you can read more about this.

 

[middlemanjoe]

Get the hpi ss, comes with a nice 2-speed and is the chassis is well covered up and it's shaft driven, no belts. Great car.