Which Buggy?

[richb]

I've been thinking about buying a Tamiya buggy for a while now, but really dont know what to go for (2WD or 4WD) or where to get one from. Have had a look at ebay and there are not many around at the moment

Possiblilties are:

TL01B - Baja King - cheap and fairly easy got get hold of

DT02 - Sand Viper/Desert Gator - again fairly cheap, and available NIB

DF03 - Dark Impact, Keen Hawk etc. A bit more expensive but a good car

or

something a bit older like a Mad Cap, Astute etc but am concerned about availabilty and spares. Plus if they hard to get hold of then price could become an issue

your thoughts/ recommendations please

[Gruntfuggly]

The general opinion seems to be, if you can afford it, go for the Dark Impact.

If you're on a budget, the Baja Champ/King are very cheap to buy and run...

You could also consider a Top Force for something a bit more retro, but still with cheap parts...

[HunterZero]

Yep, Dark Impact (or Keen Hawk or Avante II, pick the bodyshell you hate the look of the least!), can't really beat it on bang for the buck, spare parts are easy to get, and there are loads of hopups available - although you do need to buy an ESC separately, and there's not much room in the chassis for electrics.

For some retro fun, yes the Top Force is very nice. Or, if you can find a Thundershot, they're a really good car for a basher. Seem to be able to still get new ones fairly cheaply from time to time.

You can usually get a Dyna Storm for a good price, but parts for those are getting harder to get.

- HZ

[richb]

All 3 shells are bit iffy IMO, but if i had to choose i think it would be the Dark Impact. What is the stock motor? A silver can?

[richb]

All 3 shells are bit iffy IMO, but if i had to choose i think it would be the Dark Impact. What is the stock motor? A silver can?

*EDIT* whoops. One too many clicks. Sorry!

[Gruntfuggly]

Although the Dyna Storm is great to drive, I wouldn't recommend it as some parts are a right pain to get hold of. I recently had to get somebody from the states to order the parts from TamiyaUSA and then forward them on to me in the UK - not cheap. Worth it though...

Would agree with the Thundershot too, although the body on it is horrible - would be worth finding a used Terra Scorcher shell instead...

And yes - a stock motor (silver can) is the basic Mabuchi 540 that most kits come with.

[Singapore_959]

Go 2WD!!!

Sorry, you'll have to forgive my excitedness!

Get a DT02 and you'll never stop enjoying. Plus you won't get on the I must modify my 4wd bandwagon.

Somehow I see lots more people with unmodified 2wd's enjoying them, while it seems evey 4wd owner feels the need to modify.

Slip, slide, 2wd! and it's cheeeper

ofcourse I am totally unbaised. Really.

[SegaFalcon]

Its more fun to corner a 2wd, they go sideways . A 4wd will corner in a pretty boring fashion and also dosent have quite as much speed on the straights. A DI is only really a car for those who are into modifiying or want the all rounder race car.

[richb]

Mmm. I fancy a 2wd TBH. Might see if i can get hold of a gator or similar. Would love an Astute. I think they are Mint!

I could proabaly pick up an ex-racing Losi XXX or Schumacher. Seen them on ebay in the past for reasonable money.

However, the more i think about it I am drawn to NIB. Havent done a build from scratch since my Thundershot i got 20 or so years ago

[Z]

A DI is only really a car for those who are into modifiying or want the all rounder race car.

Not really. A DI is just fine stock, except for some stories I've heard about the shock towers being weak ($30 fix), a lightly modified DI is actually probably more bulletproof than a heavily modified one. As far as racing prowess, it is definitively out-gunned by such cars as the Associated B44, the T.Tech Predator, and the TRF501X (I don't consider the XXX-4 a serious competitor, too many structural weak points). Nevertheless, many have successfully raced the DI; I would if my track had an electric class.

[Gravel-Hounda]

Go 2WD!!!

Sorry, you'll have to forgive my excitedness!

Get a DT02 and you'll never stop enjoying. Plus you won't get on the I must modify my 4wd bandwagon.

Somehow I see lots more people with unmodified 2wd's enjoying them, while it seems evey 4wd owner feels the need to modify.

Slip, slide, 2wd! and it's cheeeper

ofcourse I am totally unbaised. Really.

I agree with Pierre. Go 2wd. I had a Gravel Hound 4wd, nice looking buggy, but I got the Dt02 Desert Gator 2wd about three weeks after I got the Gravel Hound. Used the 2wd more as it was quicker in standard form than the 4wd. And a lot more fun to boot. You can still modify the 2wd if you want.

[Pubert]

So what are the most popular/must have Dark Impact mods?

[Mad Ax]

Most important mods depend mostly on what you want to do with it.

I'd recommend a slipper clutch as standard - with only a Super Stock BZ I managed to munch the plastic drive cups front and rear. The Super Stock BZ is a great upgrade over the silvercan - lots more speed but still plenty of torque over the bumps. Seems to work well with stock gearing, too.

I haven't bothered with uprated shocks, towers, motor mounts, heat sinks or anything - the only upgrade I have is rear CVDs, and that's only because I lost one dogbone when a screw came loose and couldn't get hold of another dogbone easily. I haven't broken any stock parts despite some pretty hard driving.

I probably won't be running my DI again until I get hold of a slipper and another fast motor and speedo for it tho, as the BZ has been utilised for something else and I feel the need for speed... If I'm not breaking it, I'm not going fast enough!!

[value]

If I can suggest, don't buy a Baja King... in fact, I have got one but I decided to buy another car, a Keen Hawk (df-03)

Yes, it's a little more expensive but here in Europe the difference between a tl-01b and a df-03 is just of 30

(I payed my new car 159 with shipping costs included)

if you need, I can give you some URLs of nice on-line shops

I hope to be useful

[richb]

More or less decided to go 2WD, probably a Sand Viper. 68 NIB from Goldstarstockists.

Would love to buy nigeninja's Astute, but aint got that sort of money to spend ATM, plus i'd be too worried about breaking it!!

[Mad Ax]

Let us know how you get on with the Viper - the DT-02 will probably be my next NIB when I've got enough money to buy one along with some new batteries and hot motor...

[matisse]

Go 2wd!

Got a viper off ebay last month, beat up, for only 35.

Since then stripped it, put a ball diff in and added some Losi Shocks and waheyy!!!

2WD is great, but for the fun of sliding round a corner you can't beat rear wheel drive!!

[federx]

i got a 2wd sand viper, soooofun!

maybe too much

[richb]

it was seeing those pictures in another thread that got me wanting one again. I have been thinking about it for a while. The only 2wd i've had was an original Brat when i was a kid. Seeing you cool pictures again, makes me want one even more.

[federx]

pleased.

so move this economy

and buy that car

i had mine new for 90 euros, with paint.

only added a sport tuned motor.

very fun and simple. she encapsulates what i need from an rccar.

good enjoyment, no complications, very accessible fun!

[Singapore_959]

:- D