I have driven an HPI RS4 RACER for something like 5 years, I still have it and its still running strong.
Any car will break under hard conditions but the design of the RS4 is not new, its been around for years. They just tend to use the same design and add some parts etc to bring it up to speed.

THe TC3 design on the other hand was new and had lots of issues. To my knowledge they have not updated or FIXED the problems. All of the threads I have read show that Associated does not even acknolegde the problems with the kit.

Also, the 2 cars mentioned in the initial thread are marketed in different classes. The 4-Tec is a beginner car much like the RS4 design.
The TC3 is marketed more towards the racer which places it in a different class.

If I was going to purchase a race level car it would be the Mugen MTX-3. The TC3 cannot even attempt to compare to the technology of the MTX-3. Maybe when Associated decides to put out a newer version then there will be something to argue about.
Thus, there really is no comparison between the 4-tec and the TC3 because they are a different class of car.

If you want to compare the 4-tec and the RS4 just check the local shops and 9 times out of 10 you will find HPI before you see Traxxas anywhere. That is because HPI has more than 80% of the entry level R/C RTR market.


Dbow