I wanted to get into some R/C nitro trucks. I have absolutely no idea anything about anything but I am decently mechanically inclined and a quick learner. Can you guys give me some recommendations on a good beginner truck please. I live in a very sandy and rocky area. Nothing that I will grow out of too quickly please. Price range of around $500. Thank you for your help.

Get a xxx-nt

For $500, that would give you a great start on a 1/8 buggy. Worldsmore durable than any 1/10 truck and 4wd. It is the most common racing class in RC too. $500 will get you started with a good setup. Look at the 8ight RTR from amianhobbies.com for $400.

Sandy and rocky,eh?Look at the HPI Savage...

I would agree. The HPI SAVAGE X 4.6. Great monster truck and it can take one hell of a beating. I'm actually getting one soon. Within about 3 months. Got a buddy that has one and good god that thing is a beast. Great after market support as well.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ducts_id/13687

Buy that lol. Very fun, tough as nails, works out of the box, easy to learn with, great availability on parts and upgrades if you want. OVerall I think its fantastic =] Especially for the value... Its fantastic all rounder, can be a basher or a racer =] When you buy it, there arent things that 'need' to be upgraded, everything is perfect =]

Lot's of options buggys don't do well in your type of conditions so I would look at a mt.You have these good ones to choose from Hpi Savage,Losi Lst2/Aftershock/Rammunator,Associated 4.60se.The Savage is like a tank which is great for bashing but not so great on turning.The Savage is a great truck just don't expect it to turn on a dime other than poor steering it's a solid basher.The Aftershock is a often overlooked truck for some reason but it's a great basher aswell.The Aftershock turns better jumps just as good and is just as tough as a Savage.The aftershock can be had for around 300 so with the extra dough you could get the ht pipe and dynamite engine brace and your good to go.All the Losis are simular so any would be good.I have a Savage and a Aftershock and like both but for the $ and what you get with the Shock it's hard to pass up.You could also look into the Losi muggy as they seem to be better priced nowdays to what they were.Read up on these trucks and make your choice any of these would suit your needs.

Well said 241.. All the trucks are good =]

Personally I've had the best luck with Losi and Kyosho, kyosho make 'em cheap, and give you engines that, albeit are so dirt cheap its not funny, but wow, they hold a tune, start first time every time and really do go hard.

If want a truck that can do everything out of the box, it really is in my opinion a losi, they can race, they can bash, they look sweeeet.... My 3 cents newai =]

BUT, if you were to go the Kyosho route, check out some of their MT's... They are very lightweight with bigblock engines, can be insane fun, and are very simply to mainain/rebuild.. but there is a serious lack of mods for the trucks if youe ever wanted to race it.

Thank you all for the help. I'm looking at getting the HPI 1/8 Savage X 4.6 Big Block RTR . Thing is just too sweet to pass up. What other things will I need to order w/ the truck? And does anyone have amain hobbies coupon code? I signed up for their newsletter but haven't received anything yet. Thanks again!

get a thunder tiger st-1 ! this thing is a blast

other things you will need is a Glow plug igniter
Fuel Bottle
Fuel
Batterys for radio and truck
and prolly a few extra glow plugs.

Thanks again for all the advice. Got my truck and everything in over this past weekend...broker her in and am having a blast. Thanks for the Savage 4.6 recommendation...that truck does everything that I am looking for out of it. Looks like i'll become a regular rcuniverse troller now.