Mechanic AH

@Juggular Thanks for asking and sharing! I was wondering about all those different M tires but didn't bother yet as I only have one M chassis. I like the two responses, made me laugh:

Just updated the selling price and it's interesting to see where the MSRP of the SA TD4 falls within other kits (Tamiya USA): MSRP Price Comparison (on Tamiya USA): Egress (2013): $822 Avante (2011): $692 Top Force Evo: $570 Sand Scorcher: $534 Super Shot: $482 VQS (Vanquish Re-re): $482 Fighting Buggy 2014: $462 Landfreeder Quadtrack: $457 TD4 Super Avante: $449 TA08 Pro Chassis: $445 Super Astute 2018: $389 The Landfreeder selling price at Amain USA is $319 US. So I think the TD4 SA will be around that price if the same logic applies.

One thing I do notice about Tamiya is they design/create products primarily for the Japanese market, first. In that context, the SA makes a lot of sense (and other products—if you exclude TRF for serious local and international racing). I've been following most of the local reactions (thru translation) and a majority of the Japanese RC enthusiasts are positively excited about it. Then they have the Asian market next where Mini 4WD is big and I'm sure the appeal of the SA works there too.

I think it would be interesting to really see how to remove/install that battery. Interesting how body pins keep the adjusters in place.

No disrespect to @toyolien by having this thread but if it annoys most I'll have admin delete. Just let me know. On the first video they mostly talk about the top level stuff and a bit of the Avante history. I believe the second one later will be more about the chassis. But here are some interesting screenshots.

Thanks. I didn’t miss it. Actually posted there but I thought it would be cool to have a topic that says Tamiya Super Avante with lots of photos and information. Instead of things being scattered and posts on speculation stuff. But if this is too much please delete. Thanks

Sorry if there is already a thread on the TD4 chassis. But thought it might be good to have a "Super Avante" thread now that it's officially out. Would be cool to consolidate pertinent information. Added some screenshots below and lightened the main pic to see the suspension arms better. So are you planning on getting one? And what are you most excited about? Seems like there are some people torn about the new SA. I'll hold off on any negative criticism I may have as I'm curious to see it in person—and once I can get my hands on it. This release reminds me of the feeling when the original Avante came out. It was quite different, unique, and probably shocked some people. Some folks I knew didn't like the original at all, but decades later, it ended up an icon regardless of what it is/was. And those friends of mind ended up having a kit or two. So I think the new SA will have its own sort of history or place. In terms of dimensions, looks like the SA is wider, lower, longer wheelbase, but shorter overall. Tamiya Super Avante #58696 Length: 338mm Height: 124mm Width: 246mm Wheelbase: 283mm 1st Gen Tamiya Avante Length: 420mm Height: 140mm Width: 240mm Wheelbase: 260mm ++++++ Specs: Newly designed shaft-driven 4WD chassis based on the one-piece monocoque frame features the same ball differentials for front and rear, and features a longitudinal battery pack position in the center and a midship transverse motor for optimum balance and improved performance. The TD4 chassis also employs a front inboard suspension layout which eliminates the need for a front damper stay and offers slim, low-profile form. The four wheel double wishbone suspension system uses CVA oil dampers for superlative performance. Features full ball bearings. Steering is a three-piece steering arm in which two link rods and a crank arm transmit the movement of the servo. Turnbuckle shafts for use with upper arms facilitate camber angle adjustment. Star dish wheels are paired with square spike tires which offer grip off-superlative road. Choose between high and low type wing stays to adjust the downforce depending on the road surface. Comes with a driver figure for extra realism, and high-torque servo saver. The camber angle can be easily adjusted by the upper arm that uses a turnbuckle shaft. Body is clear and not painted Motor not included ESC not included ++++++ Hop-up Parts List (will keep updating): 22028 TD4 Assembly Universal Shafts ( 2) 22029 TD4 Differential Nut and Screw Set 22030 TD4 Aluminum Servo Stays 22031 TD4 Slipper Clutch Set 47464 TD4 Titanium Screw Set 51674 TD4 C-Parts (Uprights) (2) 51675 TD4 D-Parts (Suspension Arms) (2) ++++++ Release Date (Tentative): TBD but maybe 4th quarter/late 2021 ++++++ Price: MSRP (Tamiya USA): $449.00 Selling price: TBD MSRP Price Comparison (on Tamiya USA): Egress (2013): $822 Avante (2011): $692 Top Force Evo: $570 Sand Scorcher: $534 Super Shot: $482 VQS (Vanquish Re-re): $482 Fighting Buggy 2014: $462 Landfreeder Quadtrack: $457 TD4 Super Avante: $449 TA08 Pro Chassis: $445 Super Astute 2018: $389 The Landfreeder selling price at Amain USA is $319 US. So I think the TD4 SA will be low $300 US. ++++++ I'm curious about the design concept. Hopefully, we'll hear more about it. The lead designer is Kota Nezu. I believe his recent work was on the JR Eleglitter. He also designed the Raikiri bodies and Mini 4WD Astralster, to name a few. Here is his website with older work, I would assume. From what I've gathered, some don't like the SA look or even hate it. I don't mind it at all. I do like that it has character and that bit of Japanese peculiarity. I would be more worried if it looked like the typical race spec buggies from TLR, TA, Yokomo, Kyosho, Schumacher, etc. with forward cabins. I would assume the SA speaks more to the Japanese mainstream. I'm very excited about this chassis and hope it won't be difficult to procure one, especially parts, as I would rather make this a runner. As for parts, it makes me wonder if this new version of Avante is meant to be more accessible, hence the plastic dampers, reinforced plastics for durability (especially those thick arms), and shared components--I think such as the front inboard suspension à la TC-01 and monocoque frame. I also wonder if the price will be reasonable. Any other official info and constructive thoughts from others would be great. Thanks.

Yeah those front inboard suspension makes sense

Thanks for filling in those letters @Falcon#5. Unless Tamiya is pulling a prank or trying to confuse everyone, it must be some sort of Avante then. I believe the dampers looks to be plastic too and since Tamiya exited the off-road race scene I doubt it would be a TRF but I’d love to be wrong as I like anything TRF.

Glad the 25th is just a few days away. Looks like a mid range model. Has Tamiya ever done front inboard suspension on off-road buggies? Looks almost inspired from a Mini 4WD series. I hope it’s not another R/C Boy or Avante series. I was watching the video and couldn’t help notice the decals and text on the rear wing. I wonder what it says.

Is that a vent or a dislike? Haha! I don't care much what direction the body posts goes but I myself like to tuck it in and keep it clean.

Totally understand and agree with you on the re-re situation. However, is that really about shelf queen (SQ) owners bashing runners as I've pointed out? I think you're referring to an entirely different crowd of purist RC collectors and then hardcore Tamiya fans. Not entirely defending all SQ owners but that's kind of a mix up from what I posted. I've come across excellent owners/collectors of SQs who focus on building and restoring vintage kits for the shelf, and I've yet to see them get upset with people that do run their cars. In fact, most of people I know in the SQ crowd buy re-res to run so they can keep the originals intact. And I've been helped by some of these folks to get parts for my cars regardless of what I do with it. I have to say, I haven't been corrected for parts I put in a car within the general SQ crowd—but there are some in the Tamiya crowd who are purists or fanatics who have said something. In another social board group a serious collector noted he wasn't thrilled with re-res, and was vocal about not understanding the hype behind them, why people spend money on them, and to some effect mentioned how it de-values the original model line, or how others sell and pass off the parts as original and it affects collectors like him. I believe that is the kind of person you might be referring to regarding re-res. Where they might be interested in being the elite few. Most folks I know who have shelf queens didn't start out that way. In fact a lot of them have had the chance to run/race very many iconic cars. Even world champions have shelf queens. There's just a point for some where they've done most of what they wanted to do and don't need take their cars to the track anymore, and because they're still interested in the hobby, some stay by restoring and collecting instead (like myself). I have this car, it's a Yokomo 870c. I've kept a beater one that I've had for ages (ran 870cs when I was younger), then I have a pristine shelf queen that I've had many years after the first—I've kept it pristine because it means something to me and the car isn't being produced anymore—if you can imagine the challenge and costs to find spares. And now that I'm older, I have enough parts to restore a third one and casually run if I want to. I used to run cars bitd, but now I don't have proper time for it and just find building therapeutic instead. I'm glad I don't sit in one camp, I'm a runner and shelfer. So I'm not sure about your analogy about a wife and being celibate—that is if you assume every SQ owners only do shelf queens. Wanted to share my 870cs (runner and shelf queen).

Now that the brushed/brushless thing has been talked about, I’m going to #2 part of the vent series, . #2 The Shelf Queen and Basher/Runner debate. Well, not much of a vent as I’m more of a spectator in this. First, I don’t care what people do with their hobby/cars, to each their own—just to get that out. Second, I’m not a purist when it comes to collecting or bashing. I take every situation/car differently. I have RC cars that I run, some rarely, and some that haven’t tasted any surface. It’s a matter of how easy or difficult it is to find parts for a particular vintage car or how expensive that parts are. This has to do more with what I’ve seen between two groups—the shelf queens and the bashers/runners (for lack of a better term). I like seeing videos of people run their RC cars to get a sense for what the car is like. At the same time I admire looking at pristine cars especially vintage and what the owners have done to them to keep them beautiful—and set aside as shelf queens. I get inspiration from those. I joined a group that was started as a shelf queen only group because from what I understood, the admin and members wanted a place to showcase their collection/builds without being judge by people who hate shelf queens and attitudes of their owners. That somewhat makes me sad since the hobby should be fun and lighthearted. A typical scenario is someone would post a clean/beautiful/rare pristine build, mostly never ran. There will always be a person who will say something like this: “What’s the point of being in the hobby when you don’t run the car.” And interestingly, later, another person will agree with the criticism and say something like: “Me too, I run my cars and I don’t get why people spend all that money to just put the cars on the shelf or stare at them.” Or “What’s the point of being in the hobby if you don’t run the cars?” I've even see one terrible one "This is what I hate about the hobby, those that do shelf queens" Then a few more will jump in as if patting themselves in the back for the criticism. The opinions or views are very strong. It fascinates me and interests me. Is it some resentment, guilt, or insecurity for running their cars (and sometimes beating them up) and then still seeing nice ones around? But then I’ve yet to come across a collector/shelf queen person bash another hobbyist for running their rc car even to the ground, or breaking them.

Thanks all for the comments! :). I really don’t have an issue with brushless, I don’t have as much of them but I do have a 15.5T, 10.5T and 7.5T on some of the cars I have. As for LiPo, some of the reasons I’m not as invested in them is because I already have a fair number of NiMH packs and I don’t run the cars as much as I used to (I only do for casual runs but primarily testing cars). Aside from worrying about safety (I live in a building) I don’t have the patience or time to maintain them. However, if I do get a modern kit (which I will) that only fits LiPo then I will appropriately use them. And I clearly understand the advantages of brushless. I do get a lot of people trying to educate me about it even if it's not the topic. The pet peeve I have is perhaps better sampled with this analogy with beer being brushed and wine being brushless. I’ll ask questions like these (of course these are simplified): Re: Beer 1. How long does it take for an opened bottle of beer to go stale? Or 2. What food pairs well with this kind of Pilsner? Or 3. What are the flavor profile differences between these two beers, a dunkel vs saison? Then the answers I’ll get: 1. Wine is far superior than beer. 2. Just get wine and cheese and you’ll thank me for it, and you won’t look back 3. Wine is smoother and the flavor profile is more nuanced. Beer isn’t in anymore I get that a lot and it’s fascinating especially because they are serious responses. And even in that analogy. I drink both and know when to chose one over the other.