I want to get back into the R/C car game... (1 Viewer)

[Zack1978]

Hi everyone,
It has been many years since I been in the R/C car game. The last time I used the cars on a regular basis was 1993 or 1994 (Monster Beetle and Traxxas Hawk 2). I have some of my original cars that I hope to "restore" but the new technology seems amazing.
I went to the hobby shop today (the same place I used 20 years ago), and they have totally dropped the Tamiya line of cars and they are a big Traxxas dealer.
My original intention was to build a "re-released" Tamiya Frog, but it seems that most of the cars today are "RTR" aka ready to run. Also it appears that I can't build a car for the price of a quality RTR unit.
So what should I look at? My intention is to play with it in the yard and perhaps on the street a bit? The cars I liked the most today at the shop were:

1. Traxxas Rustler VXL ($349.99 + tax)
2. DuraTrax Baja Beetle ($169.99 + tax)
3. Traxxas Stampede VXL ($354.99 + tax)

More than likely I will buy the Baja Beetle as a decoration to sit on the shelf, since I am an air-cooled Volkswagen guy. For the price it seems you cant go wrong.

But for a car that I want to use and enjoy, what wold you recommend? The Rustler or Stampede? I want the VXL since they have the brushless motors. Are the Traxxas brushless cars good quality? Anyone have first hand experience with these cars?

Thank you,
Zack

 

[TallCanDan]

What kind of terrain do have available? Any r/c tracks?
Electric is the way to go, as they are as fast or faster than nitro. Easier on the sensitive neighbors too, should you have any.

 

[Zack1978]

No tracks...just playing around on the street and perhaps in the yard. Perhaps even a local baseball field.


Thanks,
Zack

 

[TallCanDan]

IMO I would stay with Traxxas because of the VXL. not too familiar with the Duratrax, but consider brushless anyway. For bashing around, I would go with something taller with more ground clearance as in the Stampede or the baja bug. When you perhaps smack a curb, they have a better tendency to go up it rather than snap an A arm. Also better for running in grass and stuff. The Rustler is a stadium truck, designed more for tracks. I have two, an electric and nitro. I also have a Traxxas Revo, a 4x4 monster truck, now that thing is one tough truck. It's been put through some bash sessions for sure. Check out the Traxxas Summit, pretty sick. As to the Stampede and Rustler, don't be surprised when they are not fast at all out of the box. Well, the VXL should be faster, and you can upgrade the batteries alone to gain performance rather than the batteries/ motor/ esc like the r/c's of old.
And if you're looking for something used and cheap, hit me up!

Danny

 

[Wiscolandcruiser]

I beat the piss out of my mini revo vxl, and she takes it.......

Sent from my busted to s*** EVO4G

 

[CruisinMT]

I have a stampede XL-1 that I swapped a VXL system and 2.4ghz tx rx combo and I threw on my crawlers spacers in the front and threw on my rover white dot crawler tires. I'm running the Slash 4x4 pinion and spur. I also converted the transmission to brushless capable parts. I then finished it off with a wheelie bar a must have for Rustler or Stampede. That sucker rips on 3s does wheelies with ease. Traxxas has great quality parts. I haven't broken a single part on my slash 4x4 that I've had for 2 years now. New parts are easily available at your LHS and so are upgrades for most traxxas models.

That little duratrax would be a fun one for your kids if you have any. I think they had a guarantee on their parts that they will replace if they break.

 

[concretejungle]

i would get either the traxxas slash or a HPI savage flux. That thing is sick.

http://youtu.be/ltJRCjM6T_A


But definitely stick with battery; now a days they are way better then the gas rigs.

 

[techbytes]

Hi,
Am a mad fan of RC cars i want to know where can i get one for me online

 

[chappysfj40]

Hi,
Am a mad fan of RC cars i want to know where can i get one for me online

Google is your friend

tower hobbies is a great place to start

 

[concretejungle]

ckrc.com is a good place too for more custom stuff.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Go for the Slash 4x4

I got mine from Tower for $304 bucks shipped using an online coupon code years ago

It's by far the toughest R/C I've ever owned

The VXL brushless system is excellent for an RTR and you can't beat Traxxas' customer service

I tend to push my truck past its limits and had a couple of motor failures due to my own stupidity and they sent me new ones no questions asked

That being said, I've since upgraded to a Castle system that's just absolutely SICK

A few videos with the stock VXL






And a few with the Castle system

 

[concretejungle]

I run castle systems in my crawler and absolutely love it!

 

[bro460]

You definatly won't go wrong with any of the Traxxas line of trucks. I own several models, 2 Summits, 2wd Slash, 2 Stampede 2wd's and 2 E-maxxs.

For what you are doing just ripping around basically on flat surfaces I would recommend the Rustler. To be honest a 2wd VXL Slash would be the best in my opinion. The Stampede is awesome and allows you to tackle harsher terrain but since you are on a basically flat playground you'll be on you would probably want the better handling Rustler or Slash.

Check out the Slash before you buy and good luck with your choice

 

[Zack1978]

Thanks everyone!
I think I will get a Traxxas truck. I can't wait to get the car. The local hobby shop is down on stock as a result of Christmas, so as soon as they restock I will get one.



Zack