I own many rc cars, +70, from Tekno to chinese cars and even Traxxas cars. I own 3 differents radicator , a bandit and a slash 4WD.
When traxxas started their business they sold a car very close to a NIKKO Bison F10. Then they copied AE with their Radicator in white weak plastic (i own black plastic ones, sold by graupner in EU) and orange anodised aluminum chassis. If i compare the plastic CVD of my radicator, released in 1989 and my Bandit VXL, there isn't real difference, excepted that in 1989 motors was brushed only and nowadays it is powerfull brushless, obvioulsy the CVD need to be upgraded. Traxxas started without been innovative and they are still not. The cantiliver suspension was used by Schumacher, tenth technology, Tamiya, Bandai, way before Traxxas put a patent on something they never invented. They sued Arrma about this cantilever suspension also. Arrma didn't believe it when they were sued because so many companies used it before Traxxas. They sued HPI and Helion for a simple receiver box, sealed with rubber joint, what a proud company. So, if you want to design a car in US nowadays, take a look on patents steal by Traxxas before doing anything, otherwise Traxxas will walk on you. Traxxas don't remember that they started by making copy and the only thing they bring in the rc is the short course truck, that other brands do better than Traxxas, the losi scte, Arrma senton, Tekno SCT410 are way better.
About Traxxas durability : I won't say traxxas is crap but it is overpriced for what it is. An example, take a look on their receiver, 45$. I would say i own the first version of the Bandit, the radicator 2, pretty rare, realeased in 1995 (also sold by graupner, 24y ago), the acutal bandit isn't really different, but expensive, is there inovation? No, almost same 100% plastic car. I can even put the VLX gears in the Radicator 2 (not the rad-2), the gearbox is almost same. Traxxas sold the e-revo during years, with so many design flaw, A big 1/10 with plastic CVD!!! they really take their time to make the revo 2.0, finaly with steel CVD (wow, they really take their time), and still with problems. As already said, if you want a durable slash you will need many aftermarket upgrades, CVD, shock caps, a-arms, center shaft, spur gears...And the drivability is crap without their TQI system.
Did i like Traxxas, no, from all the cars i have it is far to be the number one imo. I love my Tekno EB48.3 and my Arrma Kraton, drivability is a pleasure on these cars (without need drive assistant), the HPI Vorza is heavy but a tank, i also like my JLB which i don't break as easily as a Traxxas slash on a BMX track. I even prefer the HPI Blitz 2WD compared to the Slash 4WD. And out of the cars, i don't like the Traxxas behaviour, the fatest name in rc for making a sad market and money. They take a-arms of this, chassis of that, and they make "innovative" chassis, how make new with old. Jang did same years ago, no need to put money in R&D with Traxxas, keep the same 20yo ideas, parts, and work on marketing.
