Hot Shot Or Durga?

[GTodd]

Well I dont race, and most of the time I build RC cars just for fun. The only RC that I really use alot is my revo (I love the speed and sound). Any way I want another car to build and I am between the Durga and the Hot Shot. Now I know that the Durga is a 100X better as a race car, but I am probably never going to race either of them other than going to the local track to drive around. So what are your opinions?

[secretasianman]

IMO the Hotshot, as important as it is to RC history and despite its success as a re-release, shows its age. I would get a Durga, even if just for bashing. If you're coming from Revo territory, you also might appreciate the durability and flexibility of a modern design. With the exception of fixed damper spring settings, ESC, motor and tires, you'll find the Hotshot's design very static with little to no flexibility. Plus, its parts seem to be vapid compared to modern releases. Although Tamiya does list spares on their site, fewer stores seem to be willing to stock fresh parts unique to the hotshot itself.

Speaking from personal experience, I've owned a Hotshot in my childhood and leapt on the Hotshot re-re as soon as I discovered it. It was a retrospective joy to biuld and run for a bit but it's lustre wore off quickly. I upgraded it to a black sport tuned motor and after hitting a curb, I snapped in half the front damper piston rod of all things (despite the abundance of molded ABS plastic which should more readily suffer from the impact.) This quickly led me to realize that if this was to see constant use and abuse, I'd sorely search for parts which aren't readily available. Glad I didn't break asuspension arm! With a Durga, at least those are presently available

[94eg!]

FYI: The new Durga review is ready for everyone on oOple.com...

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/reviewtamiyadurga/

[Acto-Tuned]

Nice. Oople reviews are always the best.

[mobias]

If its just for bashing then go for looks over performance everytime. On the one hand you've got the Hotshot - one of the best looking buggies Tamiya ever made and on the other you've got the Durga which just looks like every other cartoon/spaceship buggy out there. You can have fun with the Hotshot - put a 23 turn motor in it, perhaps better wheels/tires and a higher torque servo and servo saver (to get the most out of the **** steering set up) and you'll have a lot of fun with it.

[qatmix]

Looks are a matter of taste, the hotshot is not a great looking car in my opinion, The durga actually looks quite nice in the flesh.

[terry.sc]

If you like speed then the answer is easy, the Durga. The Hotshot has limited gearing options for hot motors and putting more power in it shows up its handling deficiencies even more. The Durga or any of the DB03s will make a much better basher than the Hotshot.