R/C car recommendations

[tom_loughlin]

Morning all,

I'm looking for peoples suggestions on buying an R/C car for my brother for Christmas.

As a kid growing up, he's had a couple of Nitro ones (Sandblaster - that was a pain to get running properly - once set up, it wasn't long before it needed redoing). He's also had a Schumacer Fireblade (electric) that was pretty good - so I think based on that, I would prefer to get him something electric.

I think a kit would be better to keep him busy (just bought a house and married, so toys are probably not too high on his priority list - hence me wanting to get him one.

I would like a complete set up too (inc radio gear/batteries/speed controller etc), and the budget is ~£100.

I like the idea of an off road buggy type rather than a racing car, purely as it's more flexible.

What would people suggest for that kind of money?

Thanks

Tom

[defblade]

=512]Have a look here - those are basic kit prices; there'll be everything-you-need packages on each model page. As you'll see, £100 is pushing it a bit for all in; if you can run to more like £150 then there's plenty of choice.

Electric is 100% the way to go these days.

[tom_loughlin]

Thanks for the reply.

If there is a marked difference between a £100 car and a £150 one, and something in particular fitted the bill, then £150 would be OK - although I suspect someone will say 'If you just spend £175, you get even more choice )

I like the look of the mini monster truck types (4WD would be great), but I really don't like the trigger style transmitters - would far sooner get a proper one.

Cheers

[mrdemon]

how old is your brother ?

£100 is NOT going to cut it and would be money down the toilet imo.

some thing like this is more usable @ £250 but you still need a battery and charger.

http://www.apexmodels.com/gbu0-prodshow/ASSOC-AS90...
you can by cheap stuff though, but it's not great
http://www.apexmodels.com/gbu0-prodshow/MOD-4200-0...

[Magic919]

Trigger type TX are de rigueur these days. I didn't like them, but you adapt. Threw out my old stick radio a few weeks ago.

I agree you should spend more. I've got a Traxxas and I'd give those a look. Brushless with a lipo battery will be very lively.

[sgrimshaw]

Can't understand why someone would suggest a race spec RC10 when all the OP wants is a "toy" for his brother.

Take a look on Modelsport UK's website.

www.modelsport.co.uk

They don't sell crap, so you're pretty safe getting anything they list.

Plenty of choice between £100 and £150, all in.

If you wanted to keep to your budget, then take a gander at the 1/18th stuff especially something like this

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/hpi-mini-recon-rtr-2.4...

[tom_loughlin]

Cheers gents,

I knew I was going to get 'just spend a bit more' type answers... Just wanted some first hand experience, or anything in particular to avoid.

Surprised noone has suggested an MX5 yet.

My brother is 29, and I just want a toy for him like we used to play with in days gone by. Going on past history, it won't be long until it's ragged/jumping etc.

Thanks again

[schmunk]

http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/86178/

Also comes in Monster Truck, Truggy and Short Course Truck flavours. Very good spares availability.


http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/176794/

If Tamiya is a must, but it's worse and more expensive...

[anonymous-user]

Just spotted this on eBay. Can't comment on it but it looks good for the money!

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

[AlanThomas]

without a doubt very best VFM is one of these:

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/56435Turnigy_1_16_4WD_Monster_Beatle_RTR_UK_Warehouse_.html

me and two friends have them and they are great! make no mistake they are seriously fast, I used to race RC10's back in the day and this will leave it for dust, 30mph+

This one comes with radio gear, is brushless and only need to add a pair of batteries (1700mah 2s at £5 each) and a charger £3! and you've got a seriously rapid car.

only downside is parts are only available from their HK warehouse but all parts are available and couldn't be cheaper (most parts between £0.30-0.50p!) and being so fast it does break things when you crash it hard.

[mrdemon]

buy cheap buy twice, a TOY at 29, will get used once and get put in the attic.
Cheap RC is really crap imo the RC10 I listed was not race spec, lol , it was entry level RTR

[sgrimshaw]

mrdemon said:

buy cheap buy twice, a TOY at 29, will get used once and get put in the attic.
Cheap RC is really crap imo the RC10 I listed was not race spec, lol , it was entry level RTR

Did you actually read the advert you linked to?

"TEAM ASSOCIATED RC10B4.2 RACE SPEC 1/10TH SCALE RTR 2WD ELECTRIC RACE BUGGY"

Recommending someone spend £250, well it would be over £300 once a drive battery and charger were added, when they are initially looking to spend £100 isn't particularly helpful.

No arguement, the RC10 is a good race car, but there are much better and cheaper choices for just having fun.

[MBBlat]

Surprised no one has mentioned the Lunchbox yet
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/tamiya-lunch-box-cw-01...
£162 for the kit all included, so nearly within budget.

At 27 he's probably too young for the nostalga aspect of most Tamiya re-re's, and if he's not going to race there's probably not much point getting a racer.
For trail running/basing (think taking your RC for a walk around the local woods) but most of those start around the £200 mark, Tamiya CC-01/Traxis Slash (no kit) and up.

Wanting a kit is also a problem nowadays as most of the cheap end of the market is RTR (ready to run, just charge batteries and go) except for Tamiya as apparntly kids nowerdays don't have the patientce for building a kit. Personally I almost prefer building the kit/upgrades to running, so RTR is something I avoid.