Am i too old?

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Discussion

R2T2

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

121 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Am I too old for RC cars now?

My 12 year old nephew bought one out of his christmas money and loves it, and I can't help thinking I would love one, and be able to take it off road, using some BMX ramps to make a little track. I'm thinking £120 for a RTR 4WD off road type one and I have use of a private paddock where I can set a little track up with a couple of ramps and stuff.

I'd quite like the idea, but I'm unsure whether I would actually use it, or it would be a 5 minute wonder type thing.

I had a couple when I was younger and used them until they fell apart of batteries died completely and loved them, but would a fully grown bloke look a little "odd" using an RC car?

Help!

This is the one I was thinking of
http://www.actionmodelcentre.com/proddetail.asp?pr...

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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If you'll get enjoyment from it then why not? I'm 40 and still go home and bash COD on the PS. My other half thinks it's a bit sad at my age but I enjoy it. I have a mate who spends his free time flying a drone and kite surfing. His Mrs despairs but it keeps him out of trouble.

Men never really grow up anyway so I don't think it will be an issue. In fact, other blokes will probably come over and ask you for a go. biggrin

Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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I used to have one of these nitro trucks and enjoyed it.



So about a couple of years ago I got one of these.



I take it out from time to time and have fun. Modern electric cars are pretty rapid. I sometimes let the grandkids have a go.

R2T2

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

121 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Ah Awesome!

I was considering getting one, as it was an RC car or a driving experience thing, and I think I would get more enjoyment, for longer, out of the RC car.

defblade

7,392 posts

212 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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I didn't even know what the context was, I already said "No! You're never too old!" from the title smile

The only problem as a grown up is wincing as your sprog piles your pride and joy full-throttle into the nearest rock/curb/etc (many modern controllers can be set so that "full throttle" isn't exactly that, mind wink ).

Oh, the other only problem is that budget creep may occur winkwinksmile

R2T2

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
quotequote all
defblade said:
I didn't even know what the context was, I already said "No! You're never too old!" from the title smile

The only problem as a grown up is wincing as your sprog piles your pride and joy full-throttle into the nearest rock/curb/etc (many modern controllers can be set so that "full throttle" isn't exactly that, mind wink ).

Oh, the other only problem is that budget creep may occur winkwinksmile
Luckily, no kids, and budget creep is already happening! Planned on spending £100, now looking at 140ish.

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

264 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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R2T2 said:
Luckily, no kids, and budget creep is already happening! Planned on spending £100, now looking at 140ish.
to old to buy a st toy, not to old to buy a proper RC car.

PS. £100 will buy you a st toy.

R2T2

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
quotequote all
PorscheGT4 said:
to old to buy a st toy, not to old to buy a proper RC car.

PS. £100 will buy you a st toy.
I don't want to go spending hundreds on something that I may never use. If I buy one for a 150ish, and then decide I really like it, then I'll invest in a pricier model. Plus, if it does break it's only £150 down the toilet, rather than 4/5/600 for a tidy one.

Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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I'm not trying to talk your budget up, but some of the cheaper ones are not so strong. Have some fun with whatever you get.

R2T2

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
quotequote all
Magic919 said:
I'm not trying to talk your budget up, but some of the cheaper ones are not so strong. Have some fun with whatever you get.
That's one concern. The website I saw them on (HPI) had ones for 80, and then 120, so I thought the 120 ones would be good, as they've got independent suspension, double wishbones, waterproof electrics and what looks like a strong tub it all sits in

y2blade

56,029 posts

214 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

264 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
quotequote all
R2T2 said:
I don't want to go spending hundreds on something that I may never use. If I buy one for a 150ish, and then decide I really like it, then I'll invest in a pricier model. Plus, if it does break it's only £150 down the toilet, rather than 4/5/600 for a tidy one.
A cheap one will break and are not easy to get parts for.

imo you need a £250 range car or buy 2nd hand.

Stig

11,817 posts

283 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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PorscheGT4 said:
R2T2 said:
I don't want to go spending hundreds on something that I may never use. If I buy one for a 150ish, and then decide I really like it, then I'll invest in a pricier model. Plus, if it does break it's only £150 down the toilet, rather than 4/5/600 for a tidy one.
A cheap one will break and are not easy to get parts for.

imo you need a £250 range car or buy 2nd hand.
I disagree. Was in the same boat a couple of years ago.

Tamiya Vanessa's lunchbox. Job done. Run time of over an hour on some 4600mah cells! Things have come a long way since 3 hours charge for 6 minutes running smile

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

264 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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More like a toy !

theshrew

6,008 posts

183 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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PorscheGT4 said:
R2T2 said:
I don't want to go spending hundreds on something that I may never use. If I buy one for a 150ish, and then decide I really like it, then I'll invest in a pricier model. Plus, if it does break it's only £150 down the toilet, rather than 4/5/600 for a tidy one.
A cheap one will break and are not easy to get parts for.

imo you need a £250 range car or buy 2nd hand.
This man is giving good advice. You will find plenty of cheap good quality cars that will take a hammering. If you don't like it just sell it on again.

Jamesgt

848 posts

232 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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I got back into RC a few years ago. I've had a few models and the most fun was probably the traxxas mini revo vxl. I think you maybe be able to get one for under £250, get a lipo and charger off hobbyking and you have a rapid fun car. When I fancied a change of car I broke the lot. Sold it on eBay and probably got £150 back.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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R2T2 said:
Am I too old for RC cars now?
You forgot to say how old you are, so you must be very old, you old fart...hehe

Anthony Micallef

1,122 posts

194 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Im 42 and for christmas i got this http://www.modelsport.co.uk/hpi-trophy-truggy-flux...

Its a monster of a model and will do 40 mph out of he box with the right batteries. So much fun smile

R2T2

Original Poster:

4,076 posts

121 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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I ended up buying an "ECX Circuit 4x4" with a bigger battery, and it's great, cost me £200.

I took it out yesterday with my nephew and gave it a proper hammering, taking jumps, ended up rolling it a dozen times, apart from losing a pin that holds the body on, it was great fun.

I'm 21, and I wanted to buy something cheap to see if I would get back into it and enjoy it, I didn't want to spend £3/400 on a top of the range one if it would get stuck in a cupboard after 3 uses. If after a year or so I'm still using this one, I may upgrade it to brushless, or I may buy a new, more expensive one.

Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Monday 26th January 2015
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Sounds like fun and a good plan. Things like LiPo batteries and brushless motors start calling us all after a while :-)