Grasshopper vs. Hornet performance

[RC_Hobbyist]

So I pre ordered the  Hornet Evo Kit from my local hobby shop who uses Horizon Hobbies.
It now shows the Hornet Evo on back order until Feb. 2025.

However, my local hobby shop has a BNIB  Re-release of the Grasshopper that I am tempted to buy and get a refund on the Hornet.

But before I make the tough decision, which one is the better performing buggy out of the two? Would I be more happy with the performance of the Hornet over the Grasshopper?

If it comes to it, I can wait for the Hornet to get here, as my build area (aka Dining room table) is filled with Christmas presents with more yet to be wrapped

[ucacjbs]

Grasshopper has the  smaller 380 motor, so will be quite a bit slower than a standard Hornet. Suspension much more primitive on GH than on the EVO (and a bit more primitive than a standard hornet on the back too)

[Dan1891]

You cannot compare Hornet Evo with Grasshopper and original Hornet.

The Hornet Evo is a new and better design i think?

[RC_Hobbyist]

26 minutes ago, Dan1891 said:

You cannot compare Hornet Evo with Grasshopper and original Hornet.

The Hornet Evo is a new and better design i think?

That is a fair statement.
The Hornet Evo is the first RC car kit I have bought, as I used to have an RC boat.

[Dan1891]

12 minutes ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

That is a fair statement.
The Hornet Evo is the first RC car kit I have bought, as I used to have an RC boat.

Then i think i had wait for the Evo to be avaible.

[ADRay1000]

I’d say that if you’re experienced with building, maintaining and captaining rc boats, you’re ready to start with a Hornet EVO.

[Kowalski86]

The difference is night and day, the Grasshopper uses a crude front suspension, solid axle in the back (that doesn't pivot), and pogo shocks, it's not far off from driving an old Nikko RC. It'll do maybe 10mph tops, and if you upgrade to a 540 you'll traction role to no end.

For roughly the same price you can pick up a DT-03 or a Holliday Buggy and have something much more modern.

[MadAnt]

3 hours ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

So I pre ordered the  Hornet Evo Kit from my local hobby shop who uses Horizon Hobbies.

Your local hobby shop should be getting your order any day now if they pre ordered the Hornet EVO a month or so ago, because stock would have been allocated for that order. If they tried ordering it in December or late November, you are SOL. You can still pick up a decently good RC car that is in stock, or wait just a little bit more and find out what's going on with your order.

[RC_Hobbyist]

10 hours ago, MadAnt said:

Your local hobby shop should be getting your order any day now if they pre ordered the Hornet EVO a month or so ago, because stock would have been allocated for that order. If they tried ordering it in December or late November, you are SOL. You can still pick up a decently good RC car that is in stock, or wait just a little bit more and find out what's going on with your order.

Just found out they are on back order until February. Even the Tamiya USA website lists the Hornet EVO as temporarily out of stock. 
To me it sounds like Tamiya severely underestimated the demand for this kit.

In addition, I have already been charged for the kit on my credit card, which of course, I am going to pay off (Got paid yesterday).

But with that being said, I have decided to wait for the Hornet kit. Going to see if I can work out a deal with my local hobby shop with regards to the delay (A free Lipo battery or a servo of a certain value), even though the delay is not necessarily their fault.
 In addition, I have already been charged for the kit on my credit card, which of course, I am going to pay off (Got paid yesterday).

[RC_Hobbyist]

13 hours ago, ADRay1000 said:

I’d say that if you’re experienced with building, maintaining and captaining rc boats, you’re ready to start with a Hornet EVO.

Well not necessarily building, as I purchased a RTR RC boat.
Keeping it maintained involved greasing the prop drive shaft (Which was a pain, since I had to disassemble the rudder assembly to get to it, but luckily did not have to grease it often).

[Pablo68]

So the original Grasshopper and Hornet pretty basic cars suspension wise.
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The Grasshopper had friction shocks on the back and the whole axle/gearbox/motor assembly hinges off the rear of the chassis. The swing arm suspension up front is pretty much the same.
Out the back the Hornet has oil shocks, but they don't do anything close to damping the suspension movement. The rear axle/gearbox assembly can both hinge and pivot laterally though.

The Hornet was my first car, so I have a lot of affection for it. Having said that, I'd just wait for the Evo, or get a DT-03 to tide me over until the Evo is available again.

[Andreas W]

To have something to build and run in the meantime you could get a DT-02 Sand Viper. They are dirt cheap and would be a nice example of how a semi modern Tamiya 2WD buggy would be ( similar to the Hornet Evo). When the Hornet Evo turns up then you have all the parts you need to make a Hornet Evo with wide rear axle, like @Tamiyastef did in his brilliant Grasshopper Evo build .

[RC_Hobbyist]

1 hour ago, Andreas W said:

To have something to build and run in the meantime you could get a DT-02 Sand Viper. They are dirt cheap and would be a nice example of how a semi modern Tamiya 2WD buggy would be ( similar to the Hornet Evo). When the Hornet Evo turns up then you have all the parts you need to make a Hornet Evo with wide rear axle, like @Tamiyastef did in his brilliant Grasshopper Evo build .

They may be dirt cheap, but unfortunately, I am not willing to drop any more money on another RC car.

Will just have to wait for the hornet evo kit to get to me 

[Jonesy924]

Grasshopper with a 380 will do 11mph, the hornet will do roughly 18-20mph with the 540. I fitted a 540 Sport Tune to my grasshopper, it's like a missile now 🤣 too fast for pavements but awesome at the beach. I think the Grasshopper is the best buggy for a beginner, I absolutely love both of them but the rear suspension isn't that great on the hornet and doesn't have much advantage over the Grasshopper. I fitted softer rear springs (Halfords spring assortment box) to my grasshopper which makes it less bouncy and fitted the hornet spring cups and o rings too. 

[MadAnt]

On 2/8/2025 at 8:13 AM, Jonesy924 said:

fitted a 540 Sport Tune

In my opinion base on my experience, the Sport Tuned and Torque Tuned motors is the sweet spot for that chassis with the straight axle. It's enough to have fun, but not crazy.

[Andreas W]

I agree with MadAnt. Especially the ST needs a grown-up hand at the trigger; that you are finished with digital throtle management. Then it's fun.