Hi all!!! I am new to rc and i really have a hard time saving money but i really want to get into rc nitro car racing and i was woundeing can i built a rc part by part with out buying the kit?Meaning i buy the fram,then i buy the ires next week,then i but the engine the following week,can it be done or dod i have to buy the car itself?If i can buy part by part,tell me how or where do i start please,thanks!!!

You can do it, the first thing to do is pick a model, and then check to make sure each individual factory part is available separately. Once you've done that, start buying. The cool thing is that you can always modify as you go, some parts from one manufacturer, some from another. Download an exploded view of the vehicle, blow it up to a large size, and use it as a blueprint.

One thing to be mindful of is hardware like screws, bolts, nuts, etc. You may end up not having enough if you only buy so called "replacement parts" - so make sure that you have some extra cash to buy hardware if necessary.

Check out the HPI Savage X SS. If you buy the SS kit, it comes with everything except a radio (and you have to build it yourself). But, as you said, thats expensive for you. What you can do is use HPIs parts list to buy it all over time separately.

Buying a car piece by piece will be expensive, waay more exspensive than buying a kit. Don't take this the wrong way, but if you don't have enough money for the car itself, you do not have enough money to race. Fuel, tires, motors, plugs, parts, travel, etc. far exceed the price of the car.

Yeah, thats a good point. It will definitely be more expensive in the long run. Sorta like a bad mortgage [&:]

I agree, Best bet would be to save up and buy the kit of your choice. Even if it takes you a year you'll be extremely happy with your car/ truck and the great satisfaction of knowing you saved up to buy it. Piece by piece will cost you way over the kit amount and without the schematics of the vehicle you may find youself against a brick wall since you wont have the overall instruction manual.

You should also look on Ebay or the classifieds in forums like this, you can find a ton of great deals! I would mention that you should stay away from knock-off brands and stay with reputable manufactures (traxxas, hpi, tamiya, losi etc). Maybe even take a trip to your local hobby store and look to see what they stock as far as parts (name brands). This way when you need to replace or upgrade you don't have to order or search forums to see if people can help you find parts for a knock off brand. Also, look for RTR (ready to run) which include everything but AA batteries, fuel (if nitro), sometimes nicad batteries and charger. Since you are new to this hobby you will need..

if electric:
Car or truck
Batterys (6-7 cell nimh or 2s lipo)
Charger for the batteries (make sure its the appropriate charger for what your charging)
ESC (electronic speed control) if the rtr doesnt include an esc or a manuel one
Radio (2-3 channel pistol... am is very affordable) if your kit doesnt include one
Sometimes you even need to buy a motor (make sure this is in the specs of the esc)

Nitro:
Fuel, batteries for radio and reciever and starter (if not pullstart), radio (if not included), and everything for break-in period and cleaning/ maintence.

Your doing the right thing by coming here first... do your research and there;'s plenty of good guys here that can help you in your process!

Best of luck to you

Thank you all for the reply,i think im a save up to buy me a nitro rc,but i dont know if i should get a car or buggy or truck.I think buggys are the middle of he three.Its sort of a car and sort of a truck.I want to go to tracks to compete.Can any one tell me what i should getfrom the three classes or from one of each???Under $400 dollar buget please.want nitro,want to built it,want to modify.Also in modifying,how would any know how to modify the car???Like a better engine,or tires,etc.Thanks again all for your input and efore i forget,i live in los angeles,California,any clubs or tracks around my area?Thanks again.

listen very very closely. HPI FIRESTORM. ITS A...UMM...BUGGY....TRUGGY....I DONT KNOW WAT U WOULD CALL IT BUT ITS $250 AND ITS PULLSTART SO NO EXTRA BATTERY TO BUY. I TOOK THE LIBERTY TO MAKE YOU A NOOB CART.

car
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXPVD8&P=ML car

starter kit
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPDR5&P=7

you cant build it though but tou sure can modify it and its tough

um its a stadium truck but thres a bunch of $300 buggies like the ofna ultra lx-one hers a link http://nitrohouse.com/ofna_ultra_lx-one.htm
thers the rdlogics sho i own this buggie and i love it http://www.rcslot.com/pc-radio-contr.../RDL99300.html
hers the cen matrix http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/9826