Tamiya RC cars.
Discussion
Hi,
Hoping to rely on the wisdom of PH!
Had a few Tamiya RC cars when I was a kid. Now looking at getting one for my son - something to use as a learning tool so expecting it to get bashed around a bit.
Preferably 2nd hand until he gets used to it then will buy him a new one.
Bloke in work has a few and is willing to sell one.
He's given me a choice of:
Mad fighter
Gear the frog
Madcap
All with gear, battery etc.
Are they any good - is 1 better than the others?
Thanks in advance.
Hoping to rely on the wisdom of PH!
Had a few Tamiya RC cars when I was a kid. Now looking at getting one for my son - something to use as a learning tool so expecting it to get bashed around a bit.
Preferably 2nd hand until he gets used to it then will buy him a new one.
Bloke in work has a few and is willing to sell one.
He's given me a choice of:
Mad fighter
Gear the frog
Madcap
All with gear, battery etc.
Are they any good - is 1 better than the others?
Thanks in advance.
I'll try to help!
Mad fighter: a kind of upgrade to the Hornet, basic and horrible, discontinued a few years ago so parts may be an issue unless hornet/grasshopper parts can be made to fit.
Gear the frog: If this is the Tamtech-Gear version, then it's still a current model but 1/16 scale rather than 1/10 like the others. Well built and fun in smaller areas but small wheels can struggle offroad.
Madcap: A cheaper version of the Astute racer so much better than the Mad fighter with proper suspension and upgradable using some modern parts. Discontinued in the late 1990s so parts can be harder to find but starting to become collectable.
Mad fighter: a kind of upgrade to the Hornet, basic and horrible, discontinued a few years ago so parts may be an issue unless hornet/grasshopper parts can be made to fit.
Gear the frog: If this is the Tamtech-Gear version, then it's still a current model but 1/16 scale rather than 1/10 like the others. Well built and fun in smaller areas but small wheels can struggle offroad.
Madcap: A cheaper version of the Astute racer so much better than the Mad fighter with proper suspension and upgradable using some modern parts. Discontinued in the late 1990s so parts can be harder to find but starting to become collectable.
Thanks for the replies.
The frog is the Tamtech version - the other 2 sound a waste of time!
I'm looking for something for my son to learn on - see if he likes.
It may well be a passing fad so don't want to spend too much in case its a 5 minute wonder. Don't mind spending around £100 - the other cars were offered for £50 each which I thought sounded ok.
I had a grasshopper when I was a nipper - seemed brilliant at the time but the gain, everything was when you were 10!!
Cheers.
The frog is the Tamtech version - the other 2 sound a waste of time!
I'm looking for something for my son to learn on - see if he likes.
It may well be a passing fad so don't want to spend too much in case its a 5 minute wonder. Don't mind spending around £100 - the other cars were offered for £50 each which I thought sounded ok.
I had a grasshopper when I was a nipper - seemed brilliant at the time but the gain, everything was when you were 10!!
Cheers.
Apologies for curt reponse last week - I was about to go into a meeting at work...! 
I'd certainly go for a more modern kit as parts availability is a killer for the older ones. The 1/16th Tamtech Gear buggies are great, but are only suitable for very short grass, astroturf or compacted dirt running.
Have a look at www.fusionhobbies.com - I am thinking DT-02 if you want 2WD or DF-02 / DF-03 for 4WD.
I'd certainly go for a more modern kit as parts availability is a killer for the older ones. The 1/16th Tamtech Gear buggies are great, but are only suitable for very short grass, astroturf or compacted dirt running.Have a look at www.fusionhobbies.com - I am thinking DT-02 if you want 2WD or DF-02 / DF-03 for 4WD.
I have a tamiya midnight pumpkin thats not used any more if your interested?
Has spare batteries, charger, and radio gear and a slightly torquier motor and the old motor is still with it.
Bodyshell is a bit wrecked as i left it on top of the cooker and the heater warped the back but it still fits and has general scuffs.
Has spare batteries, charger, and radio gear and a slightly torquier motor and the old motor is still with it.
Bodyshell is a bit wrecked as i left it on top of the cooker and the heater warped the back but it still fits and has general scuffs.
Thanks for all the advice.
Taking it on board, I decided to buy something newer.
So yesterday, from an Independent model shop, I bought an ex display Traxxas bandit for £80. That included everything apart from a battery pack. Another £24 and I have a 8.4v battery pack.
Traxxas seem to have a good reputation - I hope I've done the right thing!
Can't wait until the weekend to give it a go!
Cheers.
Taking it on board, I decided to buy something newer.
So yesterday, from an Independent model shop, I bought an ex display Traxxas bandit for £80. That included everything apart from a battery pack. Another £24 and I have a 8.4v battery pack.
Traxxas seem to have a good reputation - I hope I've done the right thing!
Can't wait until the weekend to give it a go!
Cheers.
chili1 said:
Thanks for all the advice.
Taking it on board, I decided to buy something newer.
So yesterday, from an Independent model shop, I bought an ex display Traxxas bandit for £80. That included everything apart from a battery pack. Another £24 and I have a 8.4v battery pack.
Traxxas seem to have a good reputation - I hope I've done the right thing!
Can't wait until the weekend to give it a go!
Cheers.
Be honest, it's for you innit?Taking it on board, I decided to buy something newer.
So yesterday, from an Independent model shop, I bought an ex display Traxxas bandit for £80. That included everything apart from a battery pack. Another £24 and I have a 8.4v battery pack.
Traxxas seem to have a good reputation - I hope I've done the right thing!
Can't wait until the weekend to give it a go!
Cheers.
"Son..." indeed....
Well....ahem.....of course its for my son.....how very dare you! As a responsible father I have to ensure that the car is safe to use in all conditions - this will of course entail prolonged testing on tarmac and off-road!!
My wife caught me out earlier, I said something about "my car", she said don't you mean Joel's car!
Yep - spare battery and a quick charger is on my, I mean Joel's birthday list!!
My wife caught me out earlier, I said something about "my car", she said don't you mean Joel's car!
Yep - spare battery and a quick charger is on my, I mean Joel's birthday list!!
MotorsportTom said:
I have a tamiya midnight pumpkin thats not used any more if your interested?
Has spare batteries, charger, and radio gear and a slightly torquier motor and the old motor is still with it.
Bodyshell is a bit wrecked as i left it on top of the cooker and the heater warped the back but it still fits and has general scuffs.
Hi Tom, Has spare batteries, charger, and radio gear and a slightly torquier motor and the old motor is still with it.
Bodyshell is a bit wrecked as i left it on top of the cooker and the heater warped the back but it still fits and has general scuffs.
Apologies for jumping in on the topic, but I would be interested in taking the pumpkin off of your hands if you are still interested...
Either drop us a line on here, or PM me if you would rather...
Cheers
Gene
Gene Simmons said:
MotorsportTom said:
I have a tamiya midnight pumpkin thats not used any more if your interested?
Has spare batteries, charger, and radio gear and a slightly torquier motor and the old motor is still with it.
Bodyshell is a bit wrecked as i left it on top of the cooker and the heater warped the back but it still fits and has general scuffs.
Hi Tom, Has spare batteries, charger, and radio gear and a slightly torquier motor and the old motor is still with it.
Bodyshell is a bit wrecked as i left it on top of the cooker and the heater warped the back but it still fits and has general scuffs.
Apologies for jumping in on the topic, but I would be interested in taking the pumpkin off of your hands if you are still interested...
Either drop us a line on here, or PM me if you would rather...
Cheers
Gene
I'll dig it out tonight and have a check over everything and see what is there and what isn't etc and i'll give you a detailed email later on if thats ok with you?
Tom.
chili1 said:
Hi,
Hoping to rely on the wisdom of PH!
Had a few Tamiya RC cars when I was a kid. Now looking at getting one for my son - something to use as a learning tool so expecting it to get bashed around a bit.
Preferably 2nd hand until he gets used to it then will buy him a new one.
Bloke in work has a few and is willing to sell one.
He's given me a choice of:
Mad fighter
Gear the frog
Madcap
All with gear, battery etc.
Are they any good - is 1 better than the others?
Thanks in advance.
Go Traxxas, Losi or Schumacher.Hoping to rely on the wisdom of PH!
Had a few Tamiya RC cars when I was a kid. Now looking at getting one for my son - something to use as a learning tool so expecting it to get bashed around a bit.
Preferably 2nd hand until he gets used to it then will buy him a new one.
Bloke in work has a few and is willing to sell one.
He's given me a choice of:
Mad fighter
Gear the frog
Madcap
All with gear, battery etc.
Are they any good - is 1 better than the others?
Thanks in advance.
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