My son and I are wanting to buy our first nitro buggie or truggie and would like a good starter machine mostly for bashing around at the lake. I also heard a rumor that someone was going to build a track for fun on their property around here so that might be something we would do also.
We were thinking of a ready to run rig that is upgradeable and comes with a radio. Opinions on buggies or truggies 2wd or 4wd anyones thoughts would be appriciated.

For bashing and possible racing...

the Duratrax Evader (2wd Nitro) isnt a bad start,
the Traxxas Nitro Rustler is another car worth looking at in that same class

those are some good fun cars that won't break your wallet....
...now for some more expensive ones!
(ps, most truggies fall under this category - especially RTRs)

HPI Hellfire (1/8 Nitro Truggy) is a car with some good reviews....
so is the Robotronic Mantis (1/8 Nitro Truggy)

The Buggies:

Nitro Evader bx (2wd) - good aftermarket options and stress-tech garantee
Tamya Nitro Force (4wd) - has good guality parts but customer service isn't that great (trust me)
Robotronic Protos (1/8 4wd) - relatively cheap ($289) and uses plastic components instead of alluminum but got good ratings from RCCA

There is a realy short list that barely scratches the barrel... those are mostly the cheaper bashing models which I can actually afford.
If you realy want to make a good choice, look up a car on Tower Hobbies and then ask about it on the forums - people will help you!
Good Luck[8D]!

ok that gives me a few cars to go look at and read up on ...
thanks
are 4wd or 2wd easier to learn or drive any thoughts on that?

all depends on wat your going to do and go, with it. of couse a 4wd has some more things over a 2wd, but if your lookin to go just about anywhere with all that great messy stuff then a 4wd, and if your not that hardcore go with a 2wd. also i think it depends on you and wat you want. i got a 4wd mt and now i love it, and to recall the only thing 2wd i got i think its a Losi statium truck. well good luck

That is a very controversial question...
4wd is easier to drive on a track - just point and shoot (and braking is also easier with 4 wheels, not 2)
With 2wd, steering and managing power is harder, but the drivetrain is easier to maintain and there are less moving parts that could break. Traction is also a problem but that only bothers hardcore racers.
- IMO, 2wd has more of a fun-factor, with quick touch-and-go turns and fun donuts

You can make the choice (most nitro buggies and truggies are 4wd... stadium trucks are almost always 2wd)

heres my 2 cents, i started with a traxxas nitro sport.
i wouldnt recamment this one, but only cause i bashed it hard and often wanted a 4wd!
4wd does mean more parts to work on and maintain, but it will mean itll be unstoppable.

well I was leaning towards 4wd anyways now I just need to settle on a truyyie or buggie and go looking for a model .I notice looking through magazines that buggies are always way faster accelerating and top speed, I really like that bottom end punch and hard acceleration.
1/8th is probably the size we will be lookin at

umm well dont get a t-maxx cause i ahve one and its a piece of crud....so i suggest maybe for a beginner an electric or 1/10th nitro

nope no foolin around with batteries EVER and I like the size and options available in the 1/8th
seems like all the coolest trucks or buggies are in the 1/8th catagory

true but the batteries rnt hard to mess wiht at all..actualy easier than nitro but yea i ahte them to there slow and stuff but yea 1/8th own the most..about to get a mega baja

I`ve been building , driving Rc`s for 30 years , I think the Traxxas Jato , is easy to work on , & is super fast 2sp , comes with most of what you need. 10 th scale , 2 wd , stadium truck . 65 + MPH

i would look at your lhs and see what trucks they have in stock and that they have parts for... that really helps to have parts available

I'm finding it tough to locate a good hobby shop
I'm about 4 hours from Calgary alberta or 4 hours from Spokane washington
I think either of those places would be my best bet

oooo bumer 4 hours

easy drive , I think it wouldbe good to go browse a shop rather than buy a rig of the internet at least for my first one . Once I know a bit about what I want or need then online would probably be the best place to find deals on hop ups or replacement parts

I have bought a couple magazines and REALLY like the RC8 but expect the RTR version to be pricey, the low gear ratio and wicked acceleration is the kind of driving I would probably be most interested in.
at this point I think it would be too confusing to try and select the radios and engine pipe ect my first time out

Baxy,

Going to your local shop is a great idea. It really will help you to make the right decision when you see it up close. Just my 2 cents to hopefully make this choice easier for you. Buggies are great and I love them. But you will be able to drive your truggy in more places than you can the any buggy just because of ground clearance.

hope this helps.

Have a great day and enjoy your new toy.

P.S. you will be making a wise choice by sticking with a 4wd. It makes it much easier to handle especially if it is going to be your first RC truck.

Enjoy!

Baxy,

Please keep us posted about your decision. I would love to hear what you decided on.

Have a good day!

Leo

sponake is where we are going the US prices are way better and the canadian dollar is still holding at even $1.00
I just need to wait a few weeks until my sons passport arrives
if anyone knows of a decent hobby shop in spokane that would be great, I'll try a search for spokane and see what comes up