Im getting ready to go nitro, since my local club doesn't have a 1/18th class. When my dad asked what i was saving for, i told him a nitro car (hes into a little rc too). He immediatly said that they were high maitenence (and i like tuning and maitnence), and that they are very messy because they build up oil that collects on the pipe and engine. BTW, he said he got this from having a glow plane 10-15 years ago. Is this true, because until i can proove that it isn't true, my soon to be buggy will have to remain in a garage in georgia.

it depends if you proprely maintane it it isnt too messy. that beeing said nitro is alot masseyer than electric.

some are cleaner than others, i cant tell you what is cleaner because i only have a 1/8 buggy but most of the MTs are farly clean

nope
it's pretty much true

you'll never disprove it
and still be telling the truth

They're messier than electric cars obviously, but if properly handled and maintained they're not painfully messy. Avoid spills, clean parts regularly, and run a well tuned engine and you'll be fine.

well, i knew it was messier than electric, but from what he said, after running it drips oil/grease until wiped.

Doesn't usually drip anything once done using them. I have a revo 3.3 and it's been running great, no mess. You just have to maintain your car regularly and make sure it's tuned properly.

To ensure long life with a nitro motor they need to run a little rich, which means fuel and carbon buildup around the exhaust and the like..
Nitro also turns rubber tyres into nice particles which stick to the build up fuel deposists so Yes, Nitro is messy...

Switch to Brushless No mess no fuss and all speed

Now, there is a silicone plug to cover your exhaust pipe while not in use. No more dripping.

Can I ask how old you are? It may be that he feels you aren't ready to maintain and tune a nitro car. My youngest brother (11) is highly into r/c and wants a nitro car but I've told him not to get one for a few years because I don't believe he is mature enough to properly maintain and tune a nitro. It may be your dad feels the same, and depending on your age he may be right.

He is correct though nitro is pretty messy, but as long as you're willing to do the maintenance it's no big deal.

dont forget a tight pipe sleeve.

sure they are messy, even with silicone tubes and stuff you will eventually get spillage, like when filling up or when you flip sometimes the cap pops off if its loose, or (the worst) you working on it and the oil in the pipe gets all over the car and counter[:@]

but in my opinion they are safer compaired to electric, you can really over charge a battery and it will blow (exspecially those evil lithiums) you can get zapped with 60+amps, and you can cause a fire because of cross polaity, ect.

i know from expiriance, ive had a battery blow, ive been zapped to the point of almost passing out, and ive had my esc go up in flames (thank god it was close to me and the body was off.) and had a 68,000 Micro fared capacitor explode (maybe a little too big eh?)

but nitro is dangerous in the fact that the engine is self supporting and having a runaway is very bad, and nitro methane is flammable (duh)

if its all about nitro being messy then thats kind of stupid, nitro cleans up nicely with dish washing liquid. i like nitro better, but i wouldnt mind having a electric agian.

if you can get a nitro, and if the track has them leagle, you can get a 1/16 scale, either a vulcan, Next or nb16, they are smaller,quiter, safer, cleaner, and MUCH MUCH MUCH better on gas. (whent through 700ML today and drove for 2-3 hours. i have a next, its great, but the diffs concern me, (had to replace when i bought it used) but i have put hours on now and havent had any more problems after new diffs, these are lighting quick at about 32mph. (can keep up with 1/10 scale nitros) and if you do get a next, dont get the metal diffs, they are junk!

about tuning, if you are not one of patients look away! so many factors go into play with tuning, humidity, temperature, fuel, heat of plug, type of proformance desired. and almost every day you will have to tweak it, today i spent 15minuts starting the next, turns out that the problem was the low speed needle was too rich, and the the glow plug battery was low.
its mostly trial and error and listening to the condition.

but, you cant beat the sound of a well tuned engine.

haha, i guess i should have mentioned im 15. i know the responsibility factor of it, my dad just didnt want oil/grease soaking into the carpet.

i figured the piped would drip, like a good-running car.

ive seen the classifieds but never looked till today. ALOT better than ebay! im deciding between a revo (or tmaxx if there are no good deals next time i look) and some ofna buggy, any other suggestions? NOTE- whatever i get, it will be raced, and i also intend to do some bashing with it too. (i know its off topic, but i wanted to ask sometime anyway)

savage is known as a good racer, the ofna buggies get a good reputation, my 1/16 next is pretty sweet, and the new duratrax RTX27 looks awsome (but its $400) buggies and truggies are going to be your best bet for racing due to thier stance and power.

i can honestly say ive never raced.... is it hard to deal with on free practice days as far as frequency issues? im just nervous of interferance[].

IF you are going to race, Revo 3.3 all the way.

Nitros are the best. They can be a bit messy but you cant beat the sound, smell, and speed.

shark- yes i have looked into those 1/16 models. they are such engineering feats, but our club has no 1/16-18 class, and if i asked to start one, it may take a while.

our club has these exact classes: 1/10 elec stadium, MT, buggy, truggy. we mostly race dirt oval, but i am gonna try to get people to start fixing up the off road track so we can race it. i have pretty much decide on MT, as i want to bash it some too, and i preffer to stay OFF the ground. my freind (6-7 yr exp. in rc) has said that a savage is the best (for various reasons), and suggested a tmaxx only if i didnt quite have the money for a savage. btw, you guys sound like a broken record (no offense), and i know more than you probobly think i do (not to say i know more, by any stretch). so, throw some opinions out there

Nitro sound is the force that makes my rc world go round! [8D]

yeah they are messy, but you cant beat the sound and...... just kidding

1/10 scale is the best, go that route, fast, durable and economical.

You may also want to get into the habit of tearing the thing down to wipe the nitro jelly residue off so it doesn''t build up to the point of dripping.

thanks to all. i have chosen to go nitro, and we have established the maitnence and clean up part, i only have this last question: my final choices are- savage, t-maxx, and 1/8 buggy (i reconsidered buggy after i was told that they are better bashers than i thought.) i know quite a bit about all three of these, and am looking for opinions and suggestions, including other vehicle suggestions (dont just say "TMAXX ALL THE WAY!", give me something to help me decide). i hope this will be enough info, ask for more if neede.

ps-again, it will be a 50/50 basher/racer and MUST be a 1/8 buggy or MT 1/10-/8 (only classes my club has, exc. truggy)

psps- sorry for the drift off topic, im just eagerly saving for this, and almost have enough money (approx 300-320, but the truck will have to be <270), and im impatient)

One thing not mentioned, is that after a session involving "dirt", the little bit of nitro won''t be a "mess factor". Electric get muddy too!

Get one of those aluminum drip pans that people use in the oven. You about 3 for $1. Park your vehicle on it when inside.

I prefer buggies, and if price is an issue, then the OFNA Ravager comes to mind. Buggies seem a to have a bit less tendancy to roll over, but they arn''t quite so good at BIG jumps as a MT. If your heart is set for a Monster Truck, I recommend the Savage. But most name brand vehicles are good, and what''s best for one person isn''t necessarily the best for someone else. Best to buy something YOU like.......you will enjoy the maintenance end of it (cleaning it) better that way.

Its only messy if you let your ol' man with his shakey hands put fuel in the tank. my dad shakes like crazy when hes tryin to work on small stuff,so when he trys to put the fuel in he spills some on my tank and in my car. i own a nitro evader st, soon a losi aftershock. if your too lazy to clean up after every other run than dont get a nitro,otherwise its awesome,the sound and speed is always the best.

And which buggy are you planin on getting?

I dont think its that bad... You get a little build up on on the side that the exhaust is on if you have a side exhaust. But as far as chassis goes you shouldn''t have any residue on the chassis unless your engine is leaking something horrible. The only time I get fuel residue inside my body is if my pit guy spills it. So like on a Tmaxx you shouldn''t have any mess at all unless your not taking care of the engine.

hes right if your REALY playing with them then yeah there going to be messy and oily in places but its mostly dirt depending on if your off road or not

and yeah they are preety high matinace considering all of the cleaing after play time and the storage for night