TD4 NO MORE

[magnumb]

Looks like they officially axed the TD4 platform. Sad day and hope this doesn't prevent Tamiya for coming out with unusual kits. I personally enjoyed the platform and how it runs. 

[ADRay1000]

I wonder if the TD models would have fared better if they had their own model names, and not piggybacked on the popularity of the Avante or Astute

[ucacjbs]

I saw that the Super Avante is listed as discontinued, but (being uncharacteristically optimistic) figured that does not rule out a new model on the same chassis. 
 

But yes, not a good sign for its future. 

[Twinfan]

I think they'll both disappear completely (TD4 and TD2) and remaining stocks and spares will not be replaced.  They haven't sold well, so why would Tamiya continue with what they think is a failure?

If you want one, or any Hop-Ups/spares, get them now.  That's what I've done.

[skom25]

1 hour ago, magnumb said:

Sad day and hope this doesn't prevent Tamiya for coming out with unusual kits.

I have feeling, that Tamiya released mostly unusual kits on low/ medium level in last few years. I think that they should now focus on "usual" kits.

Even if we skip strange chassis design, bodies were awful. Kits were also rather expensive, so at the end, who was the target for Tamiya? Racers: no, because of design. Bashers? Too expensive and complicated. Tamiya fanboys? Probably.

[RichieRich]

Yeah, best to start grabbing any parts before they all disappear. How long until people start whining that they should have gotten one and prices start going nuts? I really think if they had made a better looking body, it would have sold better.

[magnumb]

1 hour ago, RichieRich said:

Yeah, best to start grabbing any parts before they all disappear. How long until people start whining that they should have gotten one and prices start going nuts? I really think if they had made a better looking body, it would have sold better.

Good thing is this chassis doesn't need too many spare parts. 

And yeah, i remember buying several Zahhak for $110 and TRF201 kits for $175 and now they are going for $500plus. They were discontinued shortly after those price cuts and never came back. 

[Twinfan]

Just now, magnumb said:

Good things is this chassis doesn't need too many spare parts. 

Yep, that seems to be the case.  I've got some spare rear uprights coming but that's it.  From what I've read, everything else is pretty solid.

[TurnipJF]

How official is this axing?

[magnumb]

12 minutes ago, TurnipJF said:

How official is this axing?

With the price cut and TamiyaUSA stating discontinued...i'd saying stick a fork in it. Just grabbed a couple more(FOMO activated:) 

TD2 looks to be still available, but i'm thinking it's because they still a fair bit of inventory they need to go through.  

[Twinfan]

Yep, Tamiya USA state the TD4 is discontinued and so does a UK shop.  The price slashes are a dead giveaway too.

https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/tamiya-super-avante-td4-sale--339398/

The TD4 was never properly added to the RoW Tamiya site after a revamp, so I'd say the writing has been on the wall for quite a while.

The TD2 is hard to predict.  It seems generally better liked visually but I don't think it's sold as well, people may seem to prefer 4WD?  Or it might just be because the TD4 came first and attracted all the attention.  I think it's going to go the same way though - I think you'd discontinue both or neither given the shared parts.

[magnumb]

Yeah, 4wd is more appealing in theory, but now tend to want the RWD versions of things...just have more fun running on wrenching on RWD cars 

In this case i grabbed both the TD2 and TD4 and will use the TD4 mostly for display and TD2 will go to track duty. TD2 makes an excellant buggy to run alongside my TRF201 buggies  

[Saito2]

So, sell my new built, never ran example now at a fire sale price to be rid of it or hold onto it for a couple years, guessing people in the future might be begging for one?

[Twinfan]

I very much doubt they'll be worth a mint, they made a huge number of them.  But they'll be worth more than a pint of beer.

I'd use it and enjoy it unless it's the pre-painted yellow chassis version.  I think they might be the most desirable of the lot in the future.  They sold out really quickly and nothing else has the yellow chassis.  Not sure about the yellow springs, they may be unique to that model too?

[GToddC5]

50 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

I very much doubt they'll be worth a mint, they made a huge number of them.  But they'll be worth more than a pint of beer.

I'd use it and enjoy it unless it's the pre-painted yellow chassis version.  I think they might be the most desirable of the lot in the future.  They sold out really quickly and nothing else has the yellow chassis.  Not sure about the yellow springs, they may be unique to that model too?

I bought some of the hop-ups during the fire sale, and was thinking to trick out the pre-painted version as a sweet shelfer, and run the other normal kit.

[tamiya3speed]

That’s a bummer as far as I am concerned.  I still have my kit and look forward to some day building it.  But to me this is a very Tamiya car (quirky and over engineered) and I hope this isn’t a sign they are moving away from out of the box thinking to bring out more TT-02 releases. 

[Nick-W]

That’s a shame. I really like the TD2, it might actually be my favourite buggy. It’s lovely to drive and I’ve spent far more money than is really sensible on it. I like running the TD4 too and I’m glad I picked one up cheap but even I can’t say it looks good.

Oh well, I guess I best pick up some spares and whatnot. Although, so far, they’ve both held up pretty well to my slapdash driving. 

[Blista]

Would they potentially only withdraw them from markets they were never popular in?  I could see them being an appealing class in Japan as a step up from the TT02B and DT03 racing.

I liked the potential they had but even on sale I could never quite justify buying one.

[drc35]

I think this was done quite a while ago as I have had bodies for both on backorder for about a year,they do not sell very well and i have plenty of upgrades and a couple of casees of TD2 and TD4s

[magnumb]

15 hours ago, Twinfan said:

I very much doubt they'll be worth a mint, they made a huge number of them.  But they'll be worth more than a pint of beer.

I'd use it and enjoy it unless it's the pre-painted yellow chassis version.  I think they might be the most desirable of the lot in the future.  They sold out really quickly and nothing else has the yellow chassis.  Not sure about the yellow springs, they may be unique to that model too?

Problem is that is one i want to build and display. Probably will still be worth what a paid for it if i built it...so not too worried. 

[Twinfan]

I think a shelf queen is good if you're worried about future value.  A well worn runner, if they become highly prized, would make an owner cry into their cup of tea though I suspect!

[scoobybooster]

22 hours ago, magnumb said:

Looks like they officially axed the TD4 platform. Sad day and hope this doesn't prevent Tamiya for coming out with unusual kits. I personally enjoyed the platform and how it runs. 

Who says so? 
I have no information that Super Avante 58696 or 58697 Astute has been removed from the range.
Perhaps Tamiya USA is taking this chassis out of the range because the hoped-for success has not materialized. However, this does not necessarily mean that the manufacturer will no longer produce the item.

By the way, 58696 and 58697 are both still listed on the Tamiya Japan website. 

[Nicadraus]

I always felt that the TD (and TC) chassis are not going to do well in the market. 

[magnumb]

51 minutes ago, scoobybooster said:

Who says so? 
I have no information that Super Avante 58696 or 58697 Astute has been removed from the range.
Perhaps Tamiya USA is taking this chassis out of the range because the hoped-for success has not materialized. However, this does not necessarily mean that the manufacturer will no longer produce the item.

By the way, 58696 and 58697 are both still listed on the Tamiya Japan website. 

Great news!! maybe the US may be the only axe for model 58696 and 58697. Or Japan still has enough stock where they are not calling it discontinued yet. When stock runs out on the TD2 here in the US i bet Tamiya marks that model as Discontinued as well. 

 

[Twinfan]

1 hour ago, scoobybooster said:

Who says so? 
I have no information that Super Avante 58696 or 58697 Astute has been removed from the range.
Perhaps Tamiya USA is taking this chassis out of the range because the hoped-for success has not materialized. However, this does not necessarily mean that the manufacturer will no longer produce the item.

By the way, 58696 and 58697 are both still listed on the Tamiya Japan website. 

As I posted earlier, this is a UK Tamiya dealer:  https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/tamiya-super-avante-td4-sale--339398/

SORRY, THIS ITEM IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE.