Super Avante TD4 (58696) - £189 - discontinued?

[Twinfan 2308]

I've just seen that Modelsport are selling the Super Avante TD4 (58696) at £189, and it's not like they have piles of stock - it says they're on order from the supplier.  That's the cheapest I've ever seen them for sale, including big overstocked discounts and discounts at certain shops.

The model is also not present on the Tamiya website, and hasn't been for some time, which is odd.  It's there on Tamiya USA's site though.

So - a blowout of stock due to poor sales and a quiet retirement?

[Honza 1255]

8 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

The model is also not present on the Tamiya website, and hasn't been for some time, which is odd. 

I found it:

https://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/58696/index.html

Wasn't there a similar thread a while ago? 

I think that Super Avante has similar issue as TC-01 - it's obviously intended to have a different body, but Tamiya, for some weird reason, is only keeping a release body, that's not very attractive. They made a new TC-01 kit 4 years after release. Let's see if they try same thing with TD-4. Either way, it seems more popular than DB-02 back in the day.

[skom25 2384]

Good price indeed.

My LHS had a big delivery some time ago and I found that prices of some kits dropped a lot.

TT-02B Gun Metal around 50 Euros less

TT-02 SRX around 50 Euros less

TT-02 BR around 50 Euros less

TD2 and TD4 prices are the same, but maybe will cost less after next delivery.

[Twinfan 2308]

Good find, 58696 is not on the English site.  We have discussed this before, you're right.

It was the price and that they were on order from the supplier, not shop stock that has been lying around for 2 years, that caught my eye...

[toyolien 6515]

I think that that TD4 & TD2 haven't been the success that Tamiya thought it would have. If only they'd have stuck to a more 'conventional' suspension set up and nicer body they could have been more successful. I do hope it hasn't put them off making new buggies though... I'd love a 2025 Super Egress or Hotshot Evo.

[Saito2 8294]

So the TD4 Super Avante is basically repeating the history of the original? Perhaps I better hold onto mine and paint it boxart because it will be worth a pretty penny in 20 years...er, perhaps not.

I probably asked this in the other thread, but does anyone know the popularity of the TD4 in Japan? The DF03 faded away in the US market but was still being produced in sporadic batches and sold in Japan. I have similar hopes for the TD4 if it truly is disappearing into the background elsewhere.

[Grumpy pants 5549]

Looks like a great buggy at this price to me.

I think I’d lose the cycle wings though 😳

The driver in the MS listing does look like he is a sleep 😂

[Twinfan 2308]

I would have thought that if it was popular in Japan they'd have shipped the models back there to sell rather than discount them at UK dealers...

[Twinfan 2308]

And now the TD2 has joined the same club - £159!

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/1341425

TD4 here:

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/tamiya-super-avante-td4--1338107

[Sgt.Speirs 1580]

40 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

And now the TD2 has joined the same club - £159!

Have to be sold until the Super Astute (2018) will arrive in December 

[Twinfan 2308]

Funnily enough, I was thinking it was possibly a massive clear out at the UK importer prior to a glut of new stuff coming in 2025!

Here's hoping...

[BuggyDad 6495]

Well, I'm sad if these two are being discontinued, even if we kind of knew already. I think they're ace. I'm even half tempted to pick up another, but I won't - I've already got one of each. 

[Misterp180 342]

46 minutes ago, BuggyDad said:

Well, I'm sad if these two are being discontinued, even if we kind of knew already. I think they're ace. I'm even half tempted to pick up another, but I won't - I've already got one of each. 

I think and was thinking the same. Such a shame and I hope that the parts supply and hop ups at least continue for a little longer!

[TurnipJF 10811]

I'm hoping that rather than being discontinued altogether, they are trying to get rid of the ugly-bodied versions in preparation for some more attractive TDs to hit the shelves soon. 

[GToddC5 2555]

8 hours ago, Twinfan said:

Good find, 58696 is not on the English site.  We have discussed this before, you're right.

It was the price and that they were on order from the supplier, not shop stock that has been lying around for 2 years, that caught my eye...

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/-road-buggies/rc-super-avante/

[Twinfan 2308]

2 minutes ago, GToddC5 said:

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/-road-buggies/rc-super-avante/

As I said in my first post, yes it's on the Tamiya USA site 

[GToddC5 2555]

1 minute ago, Twinfan said:

As I said in my first post, yes it's on the Tamiya USA site 

Oh I misread when you said "Good find, 58696 is not on the English site."

[Howards 821]

These are the prices they should have been off the bat.

[Xeostar 914]

Great deal on a Thunder Shot too I think:-

Tamiya Thunder Shot (2022) - Painted Body 58706 (modelsport.co.uk)

[Grotty Otty 880]

18 hours ago, Howards said:

These are the prices they should have been off the bat.

Agree, especially as you need to spend nearly £20 on two upgraded diff nut bolts from the off. Seriously tempted now though, so long as spares are available in the future. 

[Howards 821]

Reckon the plastic diff nut could be viable if you tap it with a thread former first but I never tried that.

its pretty hard to break these cars, so you won’t need a pile of wishbones. Bunch of rear uprights and a couple of sets of gears and you are good. 
 

do it. I ordered another TD2 to go with a spare TD4 I have. 

 

[Elbowloh 1485]

SC Models now undercutting Model sport on both the TD4 and TD2

 

 

[Grumpy pants 5549]

19 minutes ago, Elbowloh said:

SC Models now undercutting Model sport on both the TD4 and TD2

 

 

The TD’s in particular are very tempting at these prices. 

[Twinfan 2308]

Blimey! Definitely importer deals then, it's exactly the same models.

They must have loads of them, Tamiya definitely got the demand estimates wrong, which is a shame. Unlikely they'll do the same again in the future, which may mean less risk taking when designing a new chassis 

[nowinaminute 3342]

On 10/12/2024 at 8:39 AM, Xeostar said:

Great deal on a Thunder Shot too I think:-

Tamiya Thunder Shot (2022) - Painted Body 58706 (modelsport.co.uk)

That's a superb price. If I didn't already have a TD plus the rest of the ridiculous hoarded piles of "projects" I would be all over that. 

I remember whining a few times that I missed the Manta Ray a few years back when it fell as low as £100. Great to see some decent kits fall that low again.