Remote control car - what to buy

[Jaguar steve]

6 year old grandson loves monster trucks and rock crawlers.

I'd like to buy him a tough good quality one that he can use outdoors. What to choose for around £50?

Cheers Chaps

[cati]

50 quid will last to boxing day

seriously get him a tamiya lunch box or midnight pumpkin kit - will keep both of you occupied until boxing day. not hard to build and you will enjoy it too

if he breaks it you can get parts, it will go anywhere and if you want to get more you have the kit.

wonderland models etc do good package deals

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/tamiya-1...

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-midnight-pumpk...

funny -https://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-comical-hornet-wr-02cb/rc-car-products/437858


worlds best grandpa and lots of man maths

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/tamiya-r...

Edited by cati on Tuesday 27th October 14:46

[generationx]

You can also buy semi-built Tamiya Lunchboxes, just add radio (if you don't want to build but still want great spare parts support and fun, fun, fun):

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?product_id=...

Pushing your budget, but what the hell...

[The_Jackal]

First you have to decide if you are going to be maintaining it for him. If yes, go with a hobby grade one from say modelsport. You should get a 1/24 or 1/18 one for a little over 50. You wont have a massive choice and they are all the same quality really. But you will be fixing it and setting it up.
If you want it to just be a toy left with him, you really are just better off buy a toy one from say Smyths.

Everyone suggests a lunchbox because they grew up in the 80s, but believe me you will get sick of walking over to it to put it back on its wheels. Tamiya are overpriced and old quality and technology now, they have been surpassed. If you go hobby grade FTX are hard to beat on price and quality and spares are cheap and plentiful. Plus they are upgradeable if you want to throw money at it later.
Just go to Modelsport (great customer service too) and literally pick what you like the look of for a price you are willing to pay, as the same issues apply to all hobby grade RC.

[Dan_1981]

Ftx bugsta or outlaw?

[Jaguar steve]

Thanks Chaps.

[Dan_1981]

Ftx have actually got a cheaper entry level one coming out early November... £53

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/ftx-tracer-1-16-rtr-t...

[Davie]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread but similar position here albeit my little boy is 3.5yrs and I'm set on buying him / us an R/C car for Christmas but struggled with what one.

I've had a look at a few options but I find myself coming back to the FTX Tracer... it seems a pretty study little truck that for £50, seems far better than the sort of stuff Smyths have etc.

Usage would be the park / beach / local golf course so he can avoid hitting stuff so 4x4 truck stuff seems best plus as he gets better / I borrow it, looks quick enough to be good fun too.

Granted availability seems limited just now for the truck and I don't like the truggy thing much but before I try and get one, any recommendations or reasons not to buy?

[Dan_1981]

I ordered one from modelsport

Not had it out of the box to actually run but seems decent enough from the specs and how it feels.

Truth will tell on Xmas day!

Our little one is four tomorrow so similar age - the fact that it has a speed restriction was a big selling point for us!

[drmike37]

I’ve gone for the FTX outback mini. X2. I’ll let you know on 25th if they’re any good (or earlier if I can’t wait to “check everything is ok”)!
Seemed that ftx have a decent rep and these are not fast. I can imagine a car that shoots off and instantly crashes will get a bit frustrating for six yr olds. With these they can drive them around the garden and still retain control.

[Davie]

Dan_1981 said:

I ordered one from modelsport

Not had it out of the box to actually run but seems decent enough from the specs and how it feels.

Truth will tell on Xmas day!

Our little one is four tomorrow so similar age - the fact that it has a speed restriction was a big selling point for us!

Cheers.

Stock seems lacking on the whole just now, Modelsport are suggesting 10th December however I've emailed a local stockist... support your local traders etc etc... to see what their lead time is but if not, I'll just order one from the above too I think. Blue or orange is fine.

I've watched a couple of video reviews and it seems pretty good... if you can turn the speed down then that'd be a bonus too. I think he'd cope, more so given the trigger style controller but we'll see!

Trying to resist budget creep!