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Jonathon Gillham

Is a VQS representative of a proper Avante?

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So the VQS is pretty reasonable right now, and the Avante/Egress are a lot more expensive.  I was a bit later to the scene so have no real need for an Avante or Egress, but would like to experience the cars in some form given they are iconic models. I would buy the Egress over the Avante

For those who have both, would a VQS cover off the series? Or do I need an Egress as the representative model?

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In terms of driving dynamics, yes.

Depends really on what you consider makes the cars iconic. The poor driving dynamics were iconic (Vanquish shares this), however the luxury components were equally iconic (Avante being uniquely over-componented, Egress being sensible but extremely high spec for the period).

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13 minutes ago, sosidge said:

 

Depends really on what you consider makes the cars iconic. 

This is the key point. Its more about the build and having a car that performs as expected. The VQS has the plastic chassis and that may make the whole experience incomplete?

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I have owned an Egress since they were re re, I own 2 Avante 2001’s , one very hopped up.

I built a VQS , fitted high caps , a Tamiya 10.5 brushless , vintage ball diffs , it may not be as strong as my Egress but it is not inferior due to the plastic, it is very balanced.

I would jump on one while you can at the cheap prices, I paid a lot for mine at release

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18 hours ago, Snappy1 said:

 

I would jump on one while you can at the cheap prices, I paid a lot for mine at release

This is probably the key point. I did that with the Fire Dragon as in the past when I've hesitated I've always missed out.

I guess the fact I haven't bought it probably means I don't really want one that much, when I found a reasonably priced Durga there was no hesitation

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48 minutes ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

This is probably the key point. I did that with the Fire Dragon as in the past when I've hesitated I've always missed out.

I guess the fact I haven't bought it probably means I don't really want one that much, when I found a reasonably priced Durga there was no 

I think it boils down to if you are prepared to pay the cost for an Avante or Egress, or  if your after bang for buck for a taste of that chassis grab the VQS,  I think RC mart has high caps at the moment for $53 us,  high caps alone make the VQS far more Egress like to drive

The centre diff in the VQS is great, after driving my 2001’s that have the 3rd diff I put one in my Egress..

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I can’t really help much with the dilemma mate, but the VQS (I believe) comes with a pre-painted body, which is a bonus. I do like the Egress myself but the price puts me off a bit.

There was a Video on Tamiyablog of a VQS running and it looked to handle very well.

Like most things with a hobby probably best to go with the gut feeling 👍🏻

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47 minutes ago, Re-Bugged said:

I can’t really help much with the dilemma mate, but the VQS (I believe) comes with a pre-painted body, which is a bonus. I do like the Egress myself but the price puts me off a bit.

Yeah the prepainted body is a bonus.  

I'm the same, I'd like an Egress but the price is insane for something that will sit on the shelf most of the time. The Top Force was the one I always wanted and I have that so the Egress/VQS is really just because it seems like I should have one, and i'm always keen for a new build

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3 hours ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

The Top Force was the one I always wanted and I have that so the Egress/VQS is really just because it seems like I should have one, and i'm always keen for a new build

Much like the question of whether the Top Force Evo is really worth twice the price of the standard Top Force (does to Evo really perform twice as well?) so it is with the VQS and the Egress. The VQS already is a better performer than the Avante so that can be put to bed. Like others have said, are you in love with the looks and feel of the more exotic materials use in the Egress or are you satisfied with most of the performance, but in typical Tamiya plastic-fantastic form? I feel the VQS build is just as unique as the Egress's when compared to the likes of the Top Force so you're not losing anything there and the performance will be similar. Is the price increase worth the difference between: 1.the feel of carbon graphite plates vs a plastic tub  2.metal Hicap shocks vs plastic CVAs  3. two F/R ball diffs vs a center ball diff with F/R planetary gear diffs?  When it comes down to it, that's what you're looking at. 

As much as I hate to admit it, the Top Force is the better performer, but that doesn't make the VQS/Egress bad. If I came at it purely factually, devoid of attachment, the VQS will do fine and save you a bundle. The Vanquish was my entry into this chassis-type BITD. That being said, I have 3 Egresses today. They were the absolute pinnacle of Tamiya for me BITD and therefore my reasoning isn't logical. Its all about what your intentions are and what makes you happy.  

 

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The Vanquish is an awesome and unique design & build. You won't regret it one bit. Put some super sticky anti-wear grease inside the front & rear planetary diffs and you are good to go.

Hi-caps are a nice upgrade, but a little tricky to sort. Tamiya doesn't get the setup quite right.  Look up my posts in the Vanquish/VQS hi-cap thread. I also recommend a replica vintage hi-cap front shock tower. Looks like the vintage Egress shock tower but shorter. It's better looking and a better setup (narrower) than the stock Vanquish tower.

As for the car itself, be sure to check the car over after each run. As a kid I remember loosing a few screws in the rough desert.

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5 hours ago, Misterp180 said:

@Jonathon Gillham where are you seeing these cheap VQS models? Cheers

Just RCMart, they are USD239 right now, so with shipping are under NZD500. So not cheap cheap, but half the price of the Avante Black Special right now, and cheaper than they have been previously. But not cheap enough to just buy on a whim...

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7 hours ago, Misterp180 said:

@Jonathon Gillham where are you seeing these cheap VQS models? Cheers

£239 on UK eBay as well - great price for UK at the mo!

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34 minutes ago, BuggyGuy said:

£239 on UK eBay as well - great price for UK at the mo!

Wow, £299 was the best I'd seen on eBay, where's this £239'er hiding? Not that I have the spare wonga at the mo though anyway!:lol:

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37 minutes ago, BuggyGuy said:

Cheers mate, unless you've got some sort of deal showing up that I haven't, including postage that's over £300?

Edit: oh hold on a mo, did you get your 9 & 3 the wrong way round in your earlier post and forget to add postage?;)

Edited by Kol__
Edited

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If you buy a VQS you'll be stuck with it. 

You could buy an Egress, build it, sell it on, be down maybe £100 or so. 

Egress is the best build experience of all I think. It's like it's from outa space or something.

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I ran both my Egress and VQS on Sunday, out of curiosity I weighed them , they both had full electronics, both have a 540 can brushless , both ready to run minus battery, the VQS is 100 grams lighter, or approx 8%

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I agree wholeheartedly @Jonathon Gillham -you need to get an Avante. And whilst waiting for Tamiya to do another production run the VQS is a great piece of kit to ease the waiting period. So yes, you should absolutely get one of those as well. 
Congratulations! 

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2 hours ago, Robert5000 said:

I agree wholeheartedly @Jonathon Gillham -you need to get an Avante. And whilst waiting for Tamiya to do another production run the VQS is a great piece of kit to ease the waiting period. So yes, you should absolutely get one of those as well. 
Congratulations! 

Thanks @Robert5000 your reasoning is impeccable! Can't fault it.

I think the responses here have pointed me in the right direction. One day I'm going to spend a lot of money on an Egress. I really don't see any way around it, it will happen. Poor Mrs JG...

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As things get older assumptions and misconceptions become reality. The Avante buggies are fun and enjoyable to run and build. Are they up to 10/10s driving today, no. Are they amazing in the backyard and/or track at a slightly more Relaxed pace, ABSOLUTELY! Get a Vanquish while you can!

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8 hours ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

Thanks @Robert5000 your reasoning is impeccable! Can't fault it.

I think the responses here have pointed me in the right direction. One day I'm going to spend a lot of money on an Egress. I really don't see any way around it, it will happen. Poor Mrs JG...

Ah, the fact that your life is lacking an Egress had completely escaped. me. With this new information that has come to light I would like to revisit my previous reply and make an addendum. 
You do need an Egress, for driving purposes. Also for the unbridled joy building it will give you. And an Avante, it's the closest RC anything will ever come to the concept of pornography. 
The VQS will be a splendid consolation prize until the two aforementioned buggies arrive at your doorstep. 

Now; congratulations! 

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On 7/31/2022 at 9:35 AM, Kol__ said:

Cheers mate, unless you've got some sort of deal showing up that I haven't, including postage that's over £300?

Edit: oh hold on a mo, did you get your 9 & 3 the wrong way round in your earlier post and forget to add postage?;)

Yes I did by the looks of it! Available here though (have not checked shipping cost) at £230: https://www.discovery-japan.me/category/select/pid/21773/language/en/currency/GBP?gclid=CjwKCAjwlqOXBhBqEiwA-hhitNLZuRY3ViI1DF5b8tkpZlqugwc255qdaqpc3slACVEPJLoZA9MVfRoC49sQAvD_BwE

Obviously that's coming from outside the UK though 

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