Is it cheaper to build a baja?  
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All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Giant Scale Cars >> Is it cheaper to build a baja?
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Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/2/2008 9:49:46 PM   
pythonfan



Posts: 4043
Joined: 11/22/2004
From: inverness, FL, USA
Status: offline 		ok guys i know most time it is cheaper to build instead of buying rtr, but not sure if its worth trying with a 1/5th scale.

i want to get a baja 5b, but don't think i can get the 1k to buy one rtr, so i was looking to buy the parts over a period of time and build the baja. i have looked at the clones but i want the real thing. for what ever money i save i want get a ddm 29cc engine. have any of you guys done this, can you save or does it wind up costing you?

i got the radio and servo, i just need the 1/5th scale servo and well the baja.

and if it is cheaper to do it this way, is there cretin upgrade that are a must that should be bought in the process of building it?

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/2/2008 9:53:41 PM   
Nitro Fumes



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Joined: 2/22/2006
From: Columbus, GA, USA
Status: offline 		The SS kit will cost more than the RTR when your done, but it will have all the premium parts from HPI in it. And you have the fun of building it and knowing how it goes together much better.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/2/2008 10:00:19 PM   
pythonfan



Posts: 4043
Joined: 11/22/2004
From: inverness, FL, USA
Status: offline 		sorry i did not mean the kit, i meant buying off ebay etc.. in parts and do it over a long period of time.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/2/2008 10:00:28 PM   
Dale Gribble



Posts: 3562
Joined: 9/17/2003
From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Parts for the 5B are EXPENSIVE you will find out. You could print out a manual, get a parts list and then track the big stuff on eBay and see what it goes for. There are a few 5B chop shops out there. I am not sure how well you would do.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/2/2008 10:03:46 PM   
borley1863


 

Posts: 382
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: chelmsford, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: online 		I would of thought buying in parts would work out more exspensive, thats why some people on ebay break there cars to sell them in parts because they can make more money. But i mean if you could get enough 2nd had parts you might be able to, but id get the kit!
Guy

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/2/2008 10:10:46 PM   
Snaut Rocket



Posts: 2973
Joined: 1/16/2006
From: Merced, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Python maybe if you get lucky and find some one selling the front end. For cheap.
Then some one selling the rear end cheap. Then the chassis and some components.
Then an awesome deal on a ddm.
if you couldn't do that it would not be cheaper.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 2:03:35 AM   
kryptonite5b


 

Posts: 240
Joined: 5/4/2008
From: philipsburg, PA, USA
Status: offline 		try surching around for a roller. even post a wanted add. you should be able to get a roller without body a body or motor cheap if you can find one. or even buy a complet used one. you will not save any money buy building one from parts.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 2:27:14 AM   
hellya


 

Posts: 3861
Joined: 2/18/2005
From: Bonney Lake, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Thats how i built a couple of my FGs..... found rolling chassis on ebay for $250 -300 added the engine and electronics save alot of $$$ verses new ones cost

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 4:37:07 AM   
Chriscru



Posts: 601
Joined: 3/21/2003
From: Babylon, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Buying part by part off Ebay will cost you a small fortune and if you get lucky enough to find everything to build a complete Baja you will be lucky.. After all those shipping charges etc you might have been able to buy 2 kits or RtR's just save your $$ and get either the SS or RTR Tower has some coupons and so does a lot of other great on line stores that carry the Baja..




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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 7:22:48 AM   
Foxy



Posts: 8825
Joined: 3/23/2005
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Status: offline 		Yeh, buying parts one at a time, even second hand, will end up costing you double. And then you'll have a car that's second hand at the end.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 8:16:56 AM   
PAPE



Posts: 448
Joined: 6/5/2006
From: Miami, FL, USA
Status: offline 		If you do the buy on ebay over time, you will see a bill at the end of the project were you spent $600 dollars on parts and $1200 on shipping.

I have many times bought a hole bunch of little thing on ebay costing 1-5 dollars and at the end the shipping is always more that the total of parts, when you buy small things like what you are planing.

Do what hellya said, its the smartest way

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 8:52:40 AM   
sheograth



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From: Berkeley, CA, USA
Status: offline 		It's best (and most economical) to save the money and then buy the car outright.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/3/2008 10:59:00 AM   
Lunar Wolf


 

Posts: 596
Joined: 12/13/2007
From: Wirral, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		The only way this might end up more cost effective is if you planned on getting alot of aftermarket parts for you Baja, then building it from the ground up including these parts may work out more economical then buying a compete factory kit and changing out its stock parts for hop-ups.

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/4/2008 2:15:11 AM   
splcrazy


 

Posts: 1421
Joined: 8/21/2006
From: melb, AUSTRALIA
Status: online 		this is what ive been thinking of doing myself , buying every single part from DDM or somewhere and build it together my self , that way i can in the buying process i can buy upgrade parts as i go then finally put it together the way i want , instead of buying a RTR or KIT then later throwing out the parts i dont need lol , it might end up costing a little more but at least it will be done the right way you want all in one go thats what i think . DDM should make a mix and match selection page of the parts we want and dont want for building your own baja5b then give us a discount on the total as we would be buying in bulk

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RE: Is it cheaper to build a baja? - 7/4/2008 3:12:05 AM   
Dave ESPI



Posts: 1538
Joined: 11/30/2005
From: Latham, NY, USA
Status: offline 		SPL, thats the way I did my build, got all teh hopups I wanted and did it all at once right from the start.
There are cars in the Want ads on a few RC Car sites that cater to largescalers, and parts are abundant. You just need to be patient. I bought all my stuff before I built my SS and it added up to 1800.00 +/- 100.00 and It is SOLID. Onlything I do is keep breaking the pinion screw that rest in the endbell, but I'd rather that than a dif and drive gears anyday

Ive seen nicely modded 'jas go for peanuts in auctions and here when people are tired of them and want something else.

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Saying the Baja is aerodynamic for an offroader is sorta like saying a brick is aerodynamic for a piece of cement.

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