jonesey

My boss just bought a couple of cheap Radioshack R/C cars for use to drive around the office that I work at, and it made me want to have a go with a 'real' R/C car. So I'm looking for some advice on what to get.

I live across the street from a couple of schools so there are big parking lots and playing fields to use, whatever I get would be mostly used on the parking lots, but I'd like to be able to use it on grass too. I was thinking of getting a buggy, do they work OK on grass generally? Since I'm just getting into it I don't want to spend too much, probably $200 is my absolute limit, but I'd like to get something that I could upgrade a bit if I really like it. i'm not going to be racing or anything though. I'd also like to get a kit over RTR, I used to build models when I was younger, and I'm pretty handy with electronics so i should be OK with building my own.

The other thing I want to know is where to get it? I've been trying to look around at local hobby shops in my area (in and around Cleveland, Ohio) and of the five hobby shops I have visited, four have closed down and one (despite there website having loads of pictures and info on cars) didn't stock cars! Can anyone suggest an online retailer, or if there's anyone from Cleveland/Akron around recommend a local dealer?

Smiff 24

Hey jonsey, welcome to RCU
here are a couple of sites to look at.
www.towerhobbies.com
www.hobbypeople.net
there both good online shops,
as far as the car selection id look for a 10th scale electric stadium truck.
asphalt parking lots usually have lots of loose gravel, and the stadium trucks soak em up pretty good where
a on road car gets pretty squirrley (just my opinion)

also check out the 18th scale cars too, several different models for around $160

Seek and Destroy

If you are looking at a 1/18th, I would definately suggest an rc18t. Mine is great, and will go around 40mph. I have upgraded mine though. It goes through grass pretty good. And is really durable. For more info chheck out the "1/16th & 1/18th micro and mini rc cars" section.

jonesey

Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely not interested in a purely on-road car. I want to be able to take it anywhere. I think I'll probably stick to the more standard size cars (1/10) instead of the mini ones. I've been looking around on tower hobbies. Can anyone suggest a kit that's alright out the box, but can be upgraded easily should I decide to?

dvsrc

If your going to be in the grass alot don't buy a 1/8 buggy. Look at a monster truck.

I love my buggy, but I always end up going back to my t-maxx because we bash in the parks alot and there is always grass.

Smiff 24

Staying within your $200 buget I recomend

1. the older version rustler
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXVK74**&P=ML

2. the newer version rustler......newer electronics
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXNJH9**&P=ML

3. Stampede same electronics but more of a monster truck style
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXNJJ0**&P=ML

along with the kit....you still gotta buy a decent charger, and battery or two.

also these are RTR not kits, you may run into more money with a kit buying everything you need !

jonesey

I was looking at the rustlers, they look pretty good from what I've seen. I'm not sure about the monster trucks though. They look like they'd tip over if you threw them into a corner at speed. So I've got a toss-up between a Traxxas Rustler (new or old) and some kind of kit. Anyone want to recommend a kit or two in a similar price range?

rcxboy

Sadly there isn't many MT kits, apart from the Savage, which is nitro. But there is the XXX-T and T4, which are 1/10 ST, but those are made to be racers, and now where near as durable as a Stampede or a Rustler.

jonesey

any buggy kits? I've mostly been looking at them.

Also, is the new rustler a lot better than the old one? Worth the extra money?

happywing

Most buggies 1/10 and 1/8 are available in kit form.
I would say that the new Rustler is worth the extra cabbage. It has a better speed control/motor/tires/slipper clutch. I've heard that the new gray plastic is lighter than the old too. I don't know if that's true, but if so, the Rustler could use some lightening up.

ry5no2

Theres a CEN raing MATRIX c-1 ARR, but its nitro and by the looks of it your looking for electric im not sure on the price of it, i just know about it from there website

www.cenracing.com

http://www.cenracing.com/rckits.html

http://www.cenracing.com/cars/matrix/matrix.html

http://www.cenracing.com/cars/matrix/matrix_arr.html

tashspop

My Feedback: (1)

look for the tamiya dark impact. 4wd electric buggy in you price range.