Newbie to Nitro
 

Ok.. Here's the deal. I want to get into Nitro cars and I like the buggy style. I don't want to enter in at the top dollar level (would like to keep the purchase under $350) and am looking for suggestions on what is a good model to get. I am looking for a buggy that will hold up and and not break when it goes off a dirt mound. Been looking at the Redcat Tsunami Ultrawide, Traxxs Jato 3.3 and the Exceed RC Razor. Are any of these good?

Dan

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Of all those I'd recommend the Jato 3.3. Its as fast as they say, and is of higher quality in my opinion. Its not really a buggy, but if you like it go for it.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Ok cool.... Do you think it will do as well off road as it does on road? And will it hold up "under pressure"?

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Many will say that the Jato 3.3 is only for on-road, but it isnt. Its chassis and suspension architecture is well suited for off-road, but the anaconda tires it comes with are not. Get some other tires and you're good to go though.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Awesome! Thanks!!

Do you like the Tsunami Ultrawide? I am getting mixed reviews online. What I gather is that it is good to enter into the arena of RC cars (price and features) and can perform quite well. But then again some think it is cheap and will break a lot?

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Quite honestly, I'm not a huge fan of Redcats offerings. Theres a lot of promotion of redcat products on RCU, so take what you see here with a grain of salt. The thing is, Redcat is simply importing Himoto vehicles and slapping their name on them (with a few modifications), these cars and trucks have been around for years on ebay and other online retailers. That said, they are NOT, strictly speaking, bad cars or trucks. In fact at the sub $200 level they're probably the best you're gonna get. But when you have a higher budget, stick with higher quality brands.

And again, what you read above is just my opinion - nothing more. I have owned a few Redcat vehicles, so I'm not pulling crap out of my rear - but hear others out as well.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

This is probably going to be more durable than anything 1/10 scale, as long as you are willing to go with a more complex vehicle. However, its size and 4wd will make it perform better than any ST, especially off road. Sure, it can't do wheelies and go 65 MPH, but it will do everything else better.
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/9826

*edit*

Two more benefits:
1) It comes with a MUCH nicer radio than the cheap Traxxas AM radio.
2) It is actually a "buggy."

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Shoegrath, again, I thank you very much for your time and comments. I do have a few extra bucks (very few) and might decide to go with the Jato but it is good to know that if I want to get in cheaper I can with the Ultrawide.

If anyone else has comments, I'd love to hear form you as well.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Thats true, the Matrix is a great buggy. You may find it easier to start with nitro if you get a Traxxas though, but you may also have no problems with the CEN.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

i wouldnt reccomend the matrix as a first car, the engine is a pill of **** the car itself is great, but i recently attempted to break in a nx-26 that i got for free off cen and it hit 250. in secconds at idle with oil spitting out of the exhaust. terrible engine.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Just check it out

[link=http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_44_50/products_id/17281]Thunder Tiger ST1. Drop by the truggy section, more than a 110 pages of posts about that truck. And at $299, great price.[/link]

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

but remember the 2 needle carb can be real hard to tune. that part takes time and paitience with any nitro 2 or 3 needle.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

The Tsunami Ultrawide is great, very tuff, go check out the Redcat forum.. And their not "Himoto cars" that they slap their name on..And exactly.. They have been around for years, so they have gotten better and worked out their kinks, But just like any "name brand" they have been around for years and they have probably had some terrible products but have gotten around that, People are racing these cars now and doing very well.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

I think I want two cars now! The Jato 3.3 AND the Tsunami Ultrawide! My wife is gonna kill me!! :)

Two questions now;
1. Does anyone think that there are issues with a pull start car v. an electric start?
2. Since some of the cars have small (75cc) tanks, do I have the option to buy a bigger one after the fact?

You guys are all awesome helping out a newbie like myself.
Thanks!!

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

I would go with the Cen Matrix RTR... it has an Airtronics FM Radio, high-torque servos, very durable plastics and aluminum parts, it is highly adjustable, and there are a lot of hup-ups available... not cheap though. True thing is that the NX-26 engine pretty much sucks... dont get me wrong it is very fast--- 45-50 Mph with 15T Clutch Bell, but can reach 350 degrees in no time... breaking-it-in is a pain in the .... and adjusting the needle settings needs a lot of trial and error... the engine just doesn´t last. I would buy the RTR at amainhobbies for $350.00 and get a Team Infinity 21 or 27 engine at Ebay or etamiya.com for $80-100... those engines are great value, fast and last a lot. That is a $450 buggy that can go head to head with much pricier buggies and for sure will last you a long time.

Considering you are new to the hobby the manuals that come with the CEN are among the best in the market and cendirect.com has all the parts available in case you break something or look for upgrades... this is something you should also consider... the best way to learn is to dismantle and reassemble your car so you begin to understand how everything works and why they work--- Dont mess with engines tough until you have more experience.

If you go for other cheaper buggies you might end up looking for an upgrade really soon and end-up wasting money. The Jato is a a great truck, but it is not a buggy or on-road car... you wont be able to race it... its more for show-offing´than for someone who really wants to get into RC Racing.

This is how I got started and I have no regrets... I now run Kyosho Inferno GT for on-road racing... you can get an Inferno GT for $350.00 at ebay too. I still run my Matrix at the dirt track and recommend the car to Hobao, Duratrax, Losi and Kyosho owners... its a great value except for the engine.

Happy racing!

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

I think the TTR ST-1 is the best deal out there for him. Best offroading capabilities, good performance, great reviews, fun to drive, and competitive right off the bat. At only $300, Id think its hard to even look at anything else.
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/17281

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

I think you would be very happy with the Ultrawide, Its just as good as any listed above

http://www.redcatracing.com/itemdeta...rtno=TSUNAMIUW

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

It really is hard to decide. I think since I am just getting into the hobby I don't need the best I can afford right now but at the same time I want something which is still respectable. Probably gonna go with the Ultrawide, get some more tires and start from there. But then again, I REALLY like the wheelie bar on the Jato and it does have an electric start. What is a guy supposed to do!? [8D]

One last question (for now).... Any pros / cons on pull start v electric start?

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

you could just bit the bullet and spend anouther 150 dollars and get the Turmoil RTR with the specktrum transmiter and drill start

for $ 504.90 [link=http://www.rushrc.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4342_4367&p roducts_id=11945]link[/link]

Read the review [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=769]Review[/link]

I think you would be quite happy with it if you can swing the extra 150 bucks

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Thanks for the info Vengeance but I already have too much mush in my head right now to even think about another choice.
There isn't much space in there to begin with!

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

The problem with the Ultrawide, is that it is 1/10 scale so you wouldnt really be able to race since there arent really any 1/10 scale truggy classes. They might through you in with MTs, though. At $40 more, IMO you get much more for your money with the TTR ST-1. Plus, if you ever decided to resell, the ST-1 should have much higher resale value due to its popularity.

1) Electric starts are obviously easier, but pull-starts are lighter. If you get a Rotostart, the kind where the electric motor and switches are separate from the vehicle, then you have the weight and in-car complexity of a pull start, with the convenience of electric starting.

2) The fuel tank isnt bad as you might think. Most cars are designed to run about 7-9 minutes per tank, as their tank sized are balanced with the engine size intended for the vehicle (regulated by ROAR racing rules for each class). Topping the tank off every 5 minutes or so of bashing is much less of a pain than you think, and its really easy to go even a full hour without stopping as long as you squirt in an extra half tank every 4-5 minutes (thats what I do). Its also harder to start after it runs out of fuel, so thats another reason I dont like to let it run low.


I think you should either get a Jato or an ST-1. Both are very popular and thus will have good parts support. The Jato might be a more entertaining street-basher, but the ST-1 will be a better all-around vehicle for both bashing (offroad) and especially racing.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Usually when you buy an RC you dont wanna sell it and worry about the resale.. But the Redcats have huge parts support, just as much as alot of name brands, As for the racing part..I dont know much about, But I can say it would hold up to some serious bashing. for the price you cannot go wrong, especially if your just starting it would be perfect. But your decision, take your time.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Hyper 7 is your best bet if you want a inexpesive buggy.

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

I have made my decision and am going with the Tsunami Ultrawide.

You have all been great in helping me make my decision and I am sure I will never forget my first... car that is.

I know there will always be bigger and better and I look forward to racing them in the future.

Again, thank you ALL for being soooo generous with your time and thoughts.


Dan

RE: Newbie to Nitro
 

Enjoy, welcome to the addiction :D