Radio Controlled Cars (1 Viewer)

Darson

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As a child, I lusted after RC off-roac buggies big time - at the time, my parents were still coming up in life so there was no opportunity to spoil their son as they spent their money on my education rather than toys.

Fast forward and now that we're in lockdown I'm toying with the idea of getting a few cars and running around the garden with the kids (we have 5 acres). I've seen a bunch of the cars that were available when I was a kid have been re-issued to take advantage of our ignorance and income however I'm sure that things have changed since then so these may not be optimal. Considering I've been out the game for 3 decades, I was wondering if there is anyone out there with some more recent advice?
 
You have 5 acres and want to watch a RC car have all the fun?

Live it.

https://prodstop.com/products/colem...7fGNHMKTxdc2huv7DHSYiXTda1WF5ULBoCFqYQAvD_BwE

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I don't know much about RC cars, but I have flown RC aircraft for years on and off.

My general advice would be to avoid anything with an internal combustion engine. These small glow engines are very finicky and unreliable unless you have experience and the right "touch". The current generations of electric motors and batteries are awesome. You have to exercise some caution with charging the batteries because LiPo fires can and do happen, but they are extremely reliable and very powerful.
 
I have a nitro truck and while I can attest to the PITA they are also really fun to work on (if you have the time)

I don’t really have the time anymore so I’m having those same thoughts about an electric setup.
 
Look for a complete charge and go setup from horizon hobbies. If you like that you will learn enough to develop your own opinions on where to go next.
 
Traxxas has always seemed to be a good brand for newbs to see how they like it. Parts are easy to come by and there is a pretty good after market as well.
 
Traxxas has always seemed to be a good brand for newbs to see how they like it. Parts are easy to come by and there is a pretty good after market as well.
I have an in-law with a traxxis and he seems to break little pieces on it all of the time. You have really got to be interested in the maintenance of it also- or maybe he is a terrible RC driver.
 
I have an in-law with a traxxis and he seems to break little pieces on it all of the time. You have really got to be interested in the maintenance of it also- or maybe he is a terrible RC driver.
In my opinion, they all break all of the time. You will be tinkering constantly. Electric is less work for the most part.
 
@Leonard I used to fly FPV aircraft a few years ago so have a ton of LiPos kicking around that could be brought back into service.

I'm scared that this may be another rabbit hole to fall down - especially as the car that @JFCJ linked is nearly $700! It looks damn cool though...
 
@Leonard I used to fly FPV aircraft a few years ago so have a ton of LiPos kicking around that could be brought back into service.

I'm scared that this may be another rabbit hole to fall down - especially as the car that @JFCJ linked is nearly $700! It looks damn cool though...

it is definitely a rabbit hole and very expensive if you want it to be.

I will say that more expensive means high performance and high durability. Fewer repairs in general, although it Depends on how you drive the RC car
 
@Darson, The link I provided is only a kit, its not all inclusive, ready to drive. no electronics, and assembly required. its part the high-end competition version...

There are many other options available.

If you race competitively, it will cost you as.... more $$$$ = more speed. driving talent is another story.
 
I am a pretty big fan of RC. Traxxas stuff to pull out of the box and run. Lots of parts and hop ups available.

I’ve always had a thing for variations of Clodbusters. Basically use the original axles and then everything is custom after that. A couple that I have here. One is for bashing and one if for crawling.
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I've ordered one of these:
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We'll see how it does in the grass.

Walmart is selling a smaller truck for <$100 - I may check one out and see how it runs too.
 
I have a nitro truck and while I can attest to the PITA they are also really fun to work on (if you have the time)

I don’t really have the time anymore so I’m having those same thoughts about an electric setup.

Update: just grabbed an ARRMA Granite 4x4 Mega. Fairly entry level but that’s about right for me and the time I have for this. Charge the batteries and go.

I did however spend the time to get my nitro truck running after a minimum of four years neglect. Engine needed a bit of priming and TLC but has been running like a top since.

I also dug out a couple old Mini-Z chassis and have chased my daughter around a little bit to her utter delight.
I'm assuming you mean the cheap one:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wltoys-X...Car-RTR-Toy-Car-for-All-Adults-Kids/244343519
What surprises me is that it's including batteries radio etc and has a metal chassis, uprights and shocks. 1/14 scale.

Those WLtoys RC have a really good reputation as a cheap and cheerful setup. Lots of parts available online too.
 
I don't know much about RC cars, but I have flown RC aircraft for years on and off.

My general advice would be to avoid anything with an internal combustion engine. These small glow engines are very finicky and unreliable unless you have experience and the right "touch". The current generations of electric motors and batteries are awesome. You have to exercise some caution with charging the batteries because LiPo fires can and do happen, but they are extremely reliable and very powerful.

Would SUPER welcome a separate thread about RC aircraft. Something I've always wanted to try with my brothers, but could never afford as kids. WW2 aircraft replicas would appeal.
 
Was about to start a new thread but found this one...

I was reminiscing about my old RC car days with my son being born. I used to race with friends at a local RC track back in PA; we all had RC10s, Grasshoppers, etc.

I did some Googling while waiting on baby today and found the big players like Team Losi, Tamiya, Team Associated, etc. are all still around - and that there seems to be a bit of an RC resurgence with us middle-aged folks reliving our childhoods.

Anyway - I always wanted a Monster Beetle back in the day, buy my parents would never allow it. Lo and behold, it looks like Tamiya reissued it in 2015. And, well... my wife is going to shit her pants when this rolls up on the front porch later this week... :ROFL: :ROFLMAO: :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

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Not radio controlled, but something that is also slightly interesting, modified Die Cast racing.

These dudes put in hella research just to figure out the slightest things they can do to shave like, 1/100th of a second off.

Used to hit the spot being a little fella, and having hot wheels spread around the house. The occasional monstrous scream by and angered parent stepping on a 1/64th size Jaguar :whistle: :whistling:
 
Was about to start a new thread but found this one...

I was reminiscing about my old RC car days with my son being born. I used to race with friends at a local RC track back in PA; we all had RC10s, Grasshoppers, etc.

I did some Googling while waiting on baby today and found the big players like Team Losi, Tamiya, Team Associated, etc. are all still around - and that there seems to be a bit of an RC resurgence with us middle-aged folks reliving our childhoods.

Anyway - I always wanted a Monster Beetle back in the day, buy my parents would never allow it. Lo and behold, it looks like Tamiya reissued it in 2015. And, well... my wife is going to shit her pants when this rolls up on the front porch later this week... :ROFL: :ROFLMAO: :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

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I just picked up a Tamiya for my son's bday on Thursday. Been working on getting it together so he can open it. He loves busses.

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I had a 1980s Kyosho Optima back in the day.
Looks like there is a newer 2016 re-release of it that has a better drive system.
The old school chain drive was a pain to keep running well but I still had fun with it.

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