Car comparisons
 

I am looking at several "entry level" nitro cars (on-road). I'm looking at the Traxxas 4-Tec, HPI RS4-3, Nitro 2, Kyosho V-one R.

Does anyone have any opinions on any of the kits above. I don't especially care if it's pre-built, RTR etc. I'd like to keep the kit's cost around $400 or so.

Thanks,

Car comparisons
 

Im in the same boat I have been looking at thr nugen MTX2 pro spec found a couple on ebay 425.00 440.00 this kit come with motor and pipe header but you have to build it

also look at the V R one and The TC3

Car comparisons
 

v-one-r is a awsome car. the clone to it is the trinty reflex. I dont think you can find a better onroad car. Serpent is a close second.

Car comparisons
 

I believe everything you listed (except the V1R) might come RTR or pre-built. V1R will be a kit.

Around $400, you might get away with the 4-TEC, RS4-3/2, but definitely not the V1R.

IMHO, V1R is not at the same level as the rest you listed. V1R would be grouped in the level of Serpent, MTX2, NTC3,etc. As "da king" mentioned, there is "trinity reflex" which is a V1R clone, which comes hopped up with K Factory items and have posted impressive results in some races.

I would look around for parts support for the Serpent. It has always been hard for parts to come by from Serpent. If you can get parts, the impulse is a good car. BTW, Serpent is changing their car line up. Impulse will be re-born as Serpent 500 (I believe) series and predicted to be coming out this month November.

I personally drive a V1R and like it. I have also driven NTC3, MTX2 owned by friends and like those to. These car handles very well, lots of setup options, needs no or few mods to be race worthy, popular cars by racers and therefore can get help at local tracks.

Here are things you might want to find out before purchasing:
1. Do you live close to an LHS
2. Does you LHS support the car you are considering
3. Do you plan on racing. If you do, does your race track allows you to run .15 engine (which are mostly found in RTR). If not, you will need to change to a .12 size engine

Another way is to go to a local race. Talk to racers and find out the cars they run.

Sorry for the long post. Hope it helped.

Car comparisons
 

I don't plan on racing, just having fun. I used to race an electric RC-10 several years ago, but I don't have the time now.

I just want a good car with upgrade capacity for around $400 or so.

Thanks for all the replies.

Car comparisons
 

what about the mugen mtx2 pro spec or the new Mugen MTX3

Car comparisons
 

I've had a v-one s for about 2 months now and i have to say it is awsome!!!! My buddy has an rs4-2 and he had to add a whole wack of stuff to it to get it to even match mine stock - can get a v-one s for $200 at tower hobbies.

Which Car?
 

The HPI RS43 TYPE SS is a great car for the money and the quality kit that you get. It has the 12rSS engine with over 1 horse, 2 speed trans full bearings and lots of other goodies. You do have to build it but it is a sweet car for about 270 and all you need is a radio system and support equipment, you cant beat that!!!! The car will go 50mph with no problem, with a better pipe probably 60mph. Check it out.

Car comparisons
 

the V one R is nice, but in a different price range of your other two choices, looks like you're comparing apples and oranges. I have friend's with v one R's (great car), I personally own a Nitro Tc3 which is awesome, if you're initially on a $400 budget, you could get the rtr version for about $270+shipping and I'd say add a 2speed right off the bat (about $55). Later if you want to hop it up a bit, the parts will be easy to get, and you may not be thinking about racing now, but I'm willing to put some $$ down that you will end up racing,haha, u no there's nothing like it! Tons of fun! So that would be my opinion on a top notch choice of a car that is a great racer and at a reasonable price to start. If you're absolutely 100% sure that you're not going to race, you should seriously consider a Traxxs 4-tec, probably the fastest rtr out there (over 60mph) for approx 300 bucks which should be fun for parking lot bashing, the only thing is that it's belt driven, also like the v one r, which if you're doing mostly parking lot bashing, I'd probably recommend a shaft driven car unless the roads u play on are super clean cause the gravel will kill your belts and pulleys costing you $$ that adds up not to mention frustration. Sorry for the long post! In my opinion 1st choice nitro tc3 2nd RS4 3.

Car comparisons
 

I ended up getting a HPI Nitro Racer 2 with an OS Hyper .15 engine, 2 speed transmission and a JR radio. I tried to find a TC3, but I didn't want the RTR and the kit was a little too much money (I still have to buy a 9ch radio for my plane).

Thanks for everyone's help.

Car comparisons
 

Ive never own one but i have driven a couple. Nice cars but it takes a lot to get it to hook up. the roll center in front is so high your allways chaseing the rearend. Once its dialed it would be great. The car would turn anywhere.

Mugen MTX3
 

The Mugen is by far one of the best cars to ever hit the track. Not sure why the previous poster had problems getting it to hook up...Setup maybe?

I built mine and from the table to the track it hooked up like nothing I have ever seen.

I would not suggest to anyone to buy a used MTX-2 at this point, Grab the MTX-3 this will be the hottest car this season and it comes with everything you need.
If you get the complete kit version you get the New Mugen Mr motor which is suppose to have blistering top end speed, Centax clutch, the shoed 2 spd which I cant say enough about that. I cant stand the finger type 2 speeds, they are complete design flaws in my opinon. Anyhow this car packs a punch and a value for the price tag it has on it.

Especially if you racing is in the future, the MUgen gonna be the hottest thing on the track this season.

For all you TC3 lovers you better stay home and play with ya barbies cause MUGEN eats TC3 for breakfast.

LOL Just a little smack for ya Now leave that easy bake oven alone TC3 Lovers and Step up to the MTX-3.


Dbow

Car comparisons
 

The hpi 3 type ss is awesome my friend has it and it is very quick. My RTR 3 cant keep up with it but does beat it off the line for sum reason and mine is stock. He has a modified exhaust and also the 2 speed transmission but the 2 speed comes with the car. The type ss is a great deal but if you want a mess around car go with the RTR3 it can be fast with a couple hop-ups and it is easy to clean up AND NO BELTS!

The hobbiest..

Car comparisons
 

I have a nitro rs4 2 with a 2speed, racing clutch, tuned pipe, and other hop-ups that I purchased used for $160. Anyway, I highly recommend the car. You can keep the price under $400 and have a fast car. It won't keep up with heavily modded tc3's or stock mugens with fast engines, but it's a really great car for beginners.
If you are a beginner, you should probably start out with a rs4 3 RTR($270), TC3 RTR($300), or a used rs4 2 like I did. If you really enjoy the hobby, you can sell your beginners car and get a mugen. I wouldn't recommend buying such a high performance car for your first for 2 reasons. First off, if you hate the hobby, you certainly won't get what you paid for the car if you sell it. Also, you need to learn to control a slower car before you get a faster one (it will save you tons of $$$ in repair bills :) ). Sorry if I had bad spelling or word choice but it's 11:30PM and I've been up since 5:00AM. :o

New car
 

I agree with a lot of your points RS4 and thats certainly a way to go about.

THing is though once you start racing you will start adding parts to that HPI to be competitive. As you race you will see things that are flaws and need to be replaced. You will add these parts and basically build a car as you go.
When its all over you will have spent more than what a MTX-3 or TC3 costs and like you said you wont get anything out of a HPI when its time to sell it. You could put $1500 into an HPI and it wont be a Mugen and will sell for less than $250.

The race breed cars on the other hand need nothing and will give you the option to be at the front of the pack. Thats a lot of money your right, however the recent race breeds will Re-sell in no time and you will get much much more for it in comparison to the HPI resale value.
Thats if you buy the new cars, because as soon as something new comes out the previous versions resale value takes a dive.

Right now it just does not make sense for a racer to buy a MTX-2 because the MTX-3 is really no much more than the previous version.

So really you do have a point, the way you suggest is the way I originally came into the hobby, I actually still have my RS4 today.
I guess in some cases that would be the best way for some to go, BUT! If I had it to do over again I would start with the race breed car right from the start. Regardless if I was going to stay in it or not.
You really dont want to know How much money I spent on my HPI learning to race and trying to make it competitive. You really dont want to know how much some of the others I raced with spent on thiers...lol

Dbow

Car comparisons
 

you make a great point dbow. The real reason I didn't purchase a race-bred car is because I wasn't sure if I could handle nitro cars. Let's say I went and bought a mugen MTX-3. I play around with it and smash it. I would be mad that I spent all that money, and couldn't sell it for as much because I wrecked it. Now let's say I bought a cheaper car, maybe a RTR TC3 or my car. I crash that and want to sell it. I would be much less mad about wasting less money. For example, when I was younger (around 13) I bought a $200 BMX bike because they looked cool on TV. I spent all summer mowing lawns to buy it. I rode around and did tricks. I tried doing a harder trick, messed up, and smashed my $200 bike into a brick wall, bending the frame. If I had bought a cheaper bike, I wouldn't have been as mad. Anyway, I haven't smashed my RC car yet, so in a few months I might get a race-bred car, such as the mugen. I'm not going to put any more money into the hpi other than fuel, plugs, and after run oil, and maybe rims.

Car comparisons
 

get the rs4 r or the v one s...the traxxas is a piece of ****...gearing is set waay too high so its slow at gaining speed...

Traxxas
 

ROFL!

Hi Clek, so we have another Traxxas fan on the forum

Dbow

Car comparisons
 

bah traxxas blows...they make garbage...yeh i said it t-maxx is garbage...Savage .21 w00t!...