School a total n00b on RC cars (tamiya, traxxas)

[sonick]

So my buddy's 7 year old kid is into cars, a few weeks back they came over and we built a whole lego technic together in an afternoon.

I was thinking it might blow his mind if I got an off roader RC and run it around my backyard and patio with rocks and shit or take it to the park or camping.

I've been looking ok FB marketplace but am confused by all my options.

Basic starters questions:

Any other brands besides tamiya and traxxas I should consider? Anything particularly for beginners or something good that's RTR? Was hoping to not spend more than $200 if that's even possible.

What are the basic components? Seems like most don't come with battery, ESC (not sure what that is), servo (that either), charger or remote.

What is an ESC and Servo?

If they don't come with it, how much would those things go for for an entry level?

What are the most basics specs I should look out for if I don't want a "disposable toy" that will just break and become a paperweight after a few runs? E.g. oil filled shocks, necessary or only for hardcore?

Thanks!

[SSM_DC5]

Paging smoothie! Try sending him noods to see if he'll respond.

[JDMDreams]

For toy grade look at the YouTube channel rc saylors. They pretty much only do reviews and have a lot of entry level stuff. I think wl toys, Amazon brand is decent for the price. Rtr usually so ready to run, comes with full kit battery, esc and remote. Esc is the signal receiver that takes battery power and powers the motor. Try to find someone that is water proof if you plan to bash it. Tamiya Traxxas is more hobby grade more $$ but Tamiya is more for the experience of the build, and realism rather than cheap basher for kids, less durable and you have to usually build, piece everything together yourself, esc, remote, battery, paint etc

[Badhobz]

[JDMDreams]

[twitchyzero]

i plan to add sthing like this to my shelf princesses

[Dragon-88]

I'm not sure what your goals are for RC cars, but the new fad right now is Rock Crawling 1/24 & 1/10 RTR RC Trucks

The West Coast RC Community has built the West Cost Scale Trail up on Eagle Mountain. Its literally a playground for RC Rock Crawling. Just google West Coast Scale Trail for a location on Google Maps

https://www.facebook.com/groups/336548197565489

Here's a random video example of what it offers, i just took the first one I found, may not be the best video.

YouTube

The Axial SCX24 is a really capable 1/24 scale RC, with some aftermarket upgrade. ~$200 RTR

The Traxxas TRX4 Sport is a great starting point for a 1/10 scale but will be double the cost.

Check out Marketplace for 2nd hand RC's because lots of people in the community are always upgrading and changing chassis, so there's lot of savings to be had 2nd hand. There's also plenty more models available, but I just provided one reliable, quality brand.

There's also a RC Drift store in Surrey - https://www.facebook.com/Eight8RChobbies/
Aiden is the owner and sells both RC Drift cars and Crawlers, plus he's known to have the most aftermarket parts for everything.

When Covid poped up the Scale Trail really grew and its 3-4x bigger than before. BC Hydro is good with the setup, because we dont intrude on the land. We dont screw or nail anything into or remove anything from the forest. We just work around it.


One time to take to mind. If you buy a chinese/unknown brand, you will have very hard time finding replacements parts.. With the known RC brand makers, you will guarantee to have a hobby store carrying spare parts. Like Axles, DriveShafts, Tires ETC... Lots of Chinese brands are one time use, no replacement parts.

[teggy604]

$200 bucks won't get you anything brand new. However $200-250 would get you a used Traxxas Stampede (monster truck) or Slash (short-course truck). It will come ready to run. You only need LiPo batteries and charger.
Good thing with Traxxas products is every hobby store in town carries them and parts are usually in stock. If not they can get it in a couple days.

I would recommend you only buy RTR(ready to run). It will come with everything except battery and charger, however depending on the kit some comes with battery and charger with a extra cost.

Another good basher is the Arrma Senton 3s.

Stick with 1/10th scale. Its the perfect balance between power and size and the most popular.

[68style]

^ THIS exxactly... it's just for a kid, not a discerning professional adult... I would just go with one of these guys?? Someone had a couple of the Land Rover at a MR2 event in the USA I went to and the kids were having a blast with them:

https://traxxas.com/products/showroom

[sonick]

Originally Posted by Dragon-88

I'm not sure what your goals are for RC cars, but the new fad right now is Rock Crawling 1/24 & 1/10 RTR RC Trucks

It's just to have as a toy to play with when the kid is over, or me to bring camping just for shits and giggles. I don't plan on diving in and doing a bunch of research and buying upgrades.

Just want it to run out of the box more than 10 mins at a time, durable enough that I don't have to worry about it breaking if the kid sends it into the wall, and not that expensive coz likely I will touch it less than a handful of times a year and likely get bored of it after a year or two.

I notice this guy always has RTR Traxxas kits for $185-$200 on FB Marketplace, is it legit? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...63610588791665

[blkgsr]

i've got an old school traxxas 2.5R nitro...man i should try ripping that thing around again lol

[sonick]

Originally Posted by blkgsr

i've got an old school traxxas 2.5R nitro...man i should try ripping that thing around again lol

Sell it to me for cheap if you get bored of it

[teggy604]

Originally Posted by sonick

It's just to have as a toy to play with when the kid is over, or me to bring camping just for shits and giggles. I don't plan on diving in and doing a bunch of research and buying upgrades.

Just want it to run out of the box more than 10 mins at a time, durable enough that I don't have to worry about it breaking if the kid sends it into the wall, and not that expensive coz likely I will touch it less than a handful of times a year and likely get bored of it after a year or two.

I notice this guy always has RTR Traxxas kits for $185-$200 on FB Marketplace, is it legit? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...63610588791665

This is the basic 2wd Slash. Can't go wrong if everything checks out. The NiMH Traxxas batteries are garbage, although they do the job. The basic Titan 12T brushed motor is pretty decent. And the XL-5 ESC can run 3s LiPos but better to stick with 2s LiPos.

[JDMDreams]

I remember having a slash and broke the suspension arms from flipping it

[dark0821]

Originally Posted by sonick

Just want it to run out of the box more than 10 mins at a time, durable enough that I don't have to worry about it breaking if the kid sends it into the wall

lol... the durable part is... ughhh

I have a Traxxas Rustler ... that is now probably $2XXX in (over a period of like 15 years though)... don't get me wrong, they are durable, but they are so fast...my ratio is like 1/3, one out of three times that is out, I will break something that will need replacement.. lololol

And just like cars... buying aftermarket is better and cheaper lolol, now it has a full aluminum rear end, brushless, 4S lipo, ESC, servo, like I want to say except the original plastic main chassis, nothing on it is really stock anymore...

I will try to take some photos when I get home, I havn't touched it for like 3 or 4 years? but too much $$$ to let it go now~~

[blkgsr]

Originally Posted by JDMDreams

I remember having a slash and broke the suspension arms from flipping it

haha that's how mine sat there for 10 years, then i spent the money and bought some new parts to get it running

still have a near full bottle of nitro.....been a few years, hopefully it's still good