Stuck about my next car.

[Nick-W 1789]

Help!!!

 

Christmas is over and the middle-aged man’s mind naturally turns towards thoughts of spring. New growth, new life, and new opportunities to sit in the kitchen tinkering with little cars. But which little car to sit tinkering with? Well, there I hit a wall and appeal to my fellow hobbyists/enablers.

 

The budget is healthy, after some pre-Christmas eBaying of my old videogame collection, so I’m looking at around the £500 mark. It has to be a kit, I’m sure RTR is fun but its not what I’m looking for. I haven’t yet finished my Mercedes C11 Group C car so probably no formula style, solid axel cars.  So, what are the runners and riders:

 

Kyosho Turbo Optima

Pro: I mean look at it, all shiny and gold. I think it looks far more interesting than the Optima Mid. I also don’t have a Kyosho so it’ll be different with a slightly different build process.

Con: It’s another “vintage” buggy. I have an Egress and TFE and whilst they’re used regularly perhaps not as much as they should be.

 

TA-08R

Pro: Ohhhh… Blue! This one wasn’t on my radar at all but seeing @wtcc5’s recent build has peaked my interest. I’m really enjoying racing the TT-02SR most weeks and like the idea of having a pro/semi-pro style chassis to move on to if I wanted. I also have a tendency to over Hop-Up and this won’t be such an issue with a chassis already specc’d-up.    

Con: Whilst it would be legal to race it at a couple of local clubs, I’m really not sure it would be competitive (especially not with my driving😊). Do I even want to move away from the TT-02? Some of the pro drivers seem to take it all a little more seriously than I’m capable of. It’s a fun evening out rather than a lifestyle.

 

TT-01E Truck, M-08, TC-01

Pro: Three Cars!!! I’ve not had an M chassis since a M-02 back in the nineties. The truck and M-08 would both be eligible at local race clubs, and it could be nice to mix up my racing. The TC-01 has onboard shocks, the best type of shocks! The TC-01 might also scratch my need to h-ave a slightly more advanced touring car.

Con: Three cars increases the possibility of divorce. I could only race one at once. The TC-01 has a lot of Hop-Ups and many have already caught my eye…

 

Also rans

BBX: Looks really great, another 2wd modern buggy.

Terra Scorcher: Loads of cool features, fragile, another vintage buggy.

TA-08 Pro: more advanced touring chassis, pretty good value, not really one thing or the other, not the “R”.    

 

What to do? I know it the great scheme of things this isn’t the worst dilemma anybody has ever faced but I just don’t know. Any suggestions, comments and jokes greatly appreciated.

[Twinfan 1833]

I think calling the Terra Scorcher "fragile" is very harsh.  A simple A5 brace is all you need, and it's fully hopped-up out of the box bar a higher end motor.  As a mid-range buggy to have fun with they're great and parts are plentiful (or at least they are at the moment as the whole chassis range has been re-re'd).

Aside from that, I think you really need to narrow down what type of vehicle you're looking for - racer, truck, basher buggy etc etc!

[Nick-W 1789]

16 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

I think calling the Terra Scorcher "fragile" is very harsh.  A simple A5 brace is all you need

You’re almost certainly right of course. I guess it might be a symptom of reading too many accounts of the bad points. You see them running in some amazingly harsh conditions on here. 

 

19 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

I think you really need to narrow down what type of vehicle you're looking for

That’s part of the trouble. I really don’t know. 

[Kowalski86 4076]

I'd get the Kyosho, they've been updated quite a bit and as you said, it'd be something different. 

I've learned the hard way that you should never, ever, buy an RC just for racing. If you go that route, at least buy a Eurotruck and save some money just in case if the class is shut down.

The big problem with the current Terra Scorcher/dragon buggies is in the nylon arms, there's a thread on them. Apparently there's either something wrong with the mold or the mixture.

[markbt73 5700]

The Turbo Optima is a delight. It's a good, complex, challenging build (not difficult, there's just a lot to it), and the finished product is stunning. And a great car to drive. I think it would make a nice change from your Tamiya models.

[glancyguy 69]

BBX…from my experience over last 35 years, by far the most innovative, fun, controllable chassis Tamiya has produced in recent memory. A complete departure from typical Tamiya 2WD experiences. A true joy to run. 

i picked up the TA-08R. There is no club racing in Raleigh, NC that I know of. So, I’ll just build it out of curiosity as all I’ve ever owned on road are TT-01/2 and an M0-5.

i have a Terra Scorcher kit, but have not built it due to an overload of vintage runners.

[Twinfan 1833]

33 minutes ago, Kowalski86 said:

The big problem with the current Terra Scorcher/dragon buggies is in the nylon arms, there's a thread on them. Apparently there's either something wrong with the mold or the mixture.

It's only an issue in a massive collision, and even if you do break one parts are available cheaply.

I personally think the whole thing has been overblown.  It's not like the arms fall off at the drop of a hat!  

[BuggyDad 5392]

The BBX is a really nice model and really scratches a "something different" itch if that's what you've got and you're not sure what type of vehicle. Added bonus it's phenomenally composed over bumps, more so than anything else I have. Nearly nothing upsets it. Not sure why but I think it's a combination of higher ride height and high quality and smooth but well damped shocks.

I bought mine because I had an idea to do something out of leftfield with it (widen it), which I have done but I suspect it'd still have the above quality as stock. It's exceeded my expectations for sure. 

[Nick-W 1789]

1 hour ago, Kowalski86 said:

 

I'd get the Kyosho, they've been updated quite a bit and as you said, it'd be something different. 

 

 

1 hour ago, markbt73 said:

The Turbo Optima is a delight. It's a good, complex, challenging build (not difficult, there's just a lot to it), and the finished product is stunning. And a great car to drive. I think it would make a nice change from your Tamiya models.

I have got a nice idea for a kind of box art plus paint job for the Optima.

 

1 hour ago, BuggyDad said:

The BBX is a really nice model and really scratches a "something different" itch if that's what you've got and you're not sure what type of vehicle. Added bonus it's phenomenally composed over bumps, more so than anything else I have. Nearly nothing upsets it. Not sure why but I think it's a combination of higher ride height and high quality and smooth but well damped shocks.

I keep getting a little hung up on the price of the BBX. I love the look of it, and almost pre-ordered it, but I just wish the price started with a 2. This might not be entirely fair of me but so far it’s stopped me pressing the buy button. 

[Twinfan 1833]

23 minutes ago, Nick-W said:

I keep getting a little hung up on the price of the BBX. I love the look of it, and almost pre-ordered it, but I just wish the price started with a 2. This might not be entirely fair of me but so far it’s stopped me pressing the buy button. 

It would be just under £300 from Tamico including taxes and shipping:

https://tamico.de/Tamiya-58719-BBX-Buggy-BB-01-Kit

 

[Sogogi 3359]

BBX + M08

[qatmix 822]

TA08R.. or the BBX both superb cars that you can actually enjoy using with a wealth of options etc. Both also good builds. The TA08R the most enjoyable build in that list, especially if you have not had a higher level onroad race car before.

 

[alvinlwh 7063]

.

 

[Jonathon Gillham 4690]

The TA08R would be my pick. Every club will have a touring car class so that will always have a place to run. The inclided hopups are well worth the extra over the Pro.

2 hours ago, Twinfan said:

It's only an issue in a massive collision, and even if you do break one parts are available cheaply.

I personally think the whole thing has been overblown.  It's not like the arms fall off at the drop of a hat!  

Unfortunately that hasn't been my experience. Running 30min on grass witg no collisons can cause the problem. It never used to be this way, so hopefully we get some arms that are made properly!

[wtcc5 5574]

@Nick-W: How about building aTT-02 KRv5.1? The fastest TT-02 ever build for the racetrack  It has blue and carbon galore 

[Willy iine 18826]

@Nick-W  Nice problem to have!   

Optima MID is required.     I'd get the WC Spec MID and nice electronics.. unless you like Beetles, the Kyosho Beetle is one of my favorites.  

But we're not talking about what I like, so.  

[Twinfan 1833]

12 minutes ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

Unfortunately that hasn't been my experience. Running 30min on grass witg no collisons can cause the problem. It never used to be this way, so hopefully we get some arms that are made properly!

That's a bit unfortunate, and a bit odd!  It took a proper whack to break the one on my Fire Dragon.  I happily stand corrected though  

[Kpowell911 2164]

How about a Tamiya Truck? 

[Jimaroid 44]

I’m in an almost identical situation. I have a BBX though which I’ve enjoyed but hardly driven (weather, sheesh!). Might also go Turbo Optima but also have the “it’s another buggy” problem. 
Fancy a truck but nothing in kit form takes my fancy - really like the idea of the Kyosho Outlaw Rampage, it’s perfect for where and how I’d run it but it’s not a kit. Argh! 

[ADRay1000 447]

1 hour ago, Kpowell911 said:

How about a Tamiya Truck? 

x2. my last Tamiya I built was a CC02, configured with low gearing and locked differentials. Much more fun to drive a slow rc than I expected. 

[Kpowell911 2164]

24 minutes ago, ADRay1000 said:

x2. my last Tamiya I built was a CC02, configured with low gearing and locked differentials. Much more fun to drive a slow rc than I expected. 

I meant more of a Tamiya Scania type truck

[Nick-W 1789]

2 hours ago, wtcc5 said:

@Nick-W: How about building aTT-02 KRv5.1? The fastest TT-02 ever build for the racetrack  It has blue and carbon galore 

Wow! That is one fancy TT-02! I can’t believe I’ve been missing this thread.

It’s quite interesting to see how far decent set up and driving can take even a more humble TT-02. The best drivers at my club, using Sport Tuned motors, are posting times that would put them well in the mid-range mix of the 13.5 BL pro chassis racers. 

[Nick-W 1789]

2 hours ago, Willy iine said:

@Nick-W  Nice problem to have!   

Optima MID is required.     I'd get the WC Spec MID and nice electronics.. unless you like Beetles, the Kyosho Beetle is one of my favorites.  

But we're not talking about what I like, so.  

Yeah, it’s not the worst decision to make 😆

I was looking at the Koswork spec Mid. It’s pretty good value over here, considering the options. But that Turbo calls me a little more.

[Nick-W 1789]

1 hour ago, Kpowell911 said:

How about a Tamiya Truck? 

They seem like a really fun build and look amazing when they’re finished but I don’t think it’s for me just yet. I struggle with storage and cars that I can’t easily pack away into storage boxes when I’m not using them just aren’t viable. One day when I’ve got my own space in the house though… 

[Willy iine 18826]

31 minutes ago, Nick-W said:

Yeah, it’s not the worst decision to make 😆

I was looking at the Koswork spec Mid. It’s pretty good value over here, considering the options. But that Turbo calls me a little more.

 haha!

Yeah, the TurboOptima is a great looking machine for sure.   Would you be doing box art?   The gold pieces are beautiful btw.