Buggy Champ Or Hotshot?

[BruiserBrew]

Dear TC members,

I know I promised many to set up a showroom here, but I just finished moving into my new apartment. I am waiting for the proper furniture to display my fragile vintage kits on. Plus, they are 600 miles away. I will set it up as soon as I have a chance to go back to my old home. I promise.

In the mean time, I am looking for some Tamiya action to keep myself entertained. I am debating whether to get the hotshot or the buggy champ. Both re-re's of course.

I've never had a hotshot as a child. Is it 4WD? Does it perform better than the BC? This particular build won't be ran hard, but performance is necessary on all counts!

Your opinions are valued! Please share your thoughts with me.

[Alvarez]

Depends what you intend to run it on, if its a mix of tarmac and hard dirt then go with the Hotshot.

If you intend to use it on just dirt/grass/sand then the Buggy Champ will be right at home. The BC is quite a handful on tarmac and constantly threatens to roll over on turns, Still it has that undeniable charm and is an absolute joy to use.

Bare in mind that if you go with the BC make sure to get some suitable battery packs as the standard 7.2v sticks wont fit :]

[skinned]

my own personal choice.......

buggy champ

[30cms]

get both!

[terry.sc]

I've never had a hotshot as a child. Is it 4WD? Does it perform better than the BC? This particular build won't be ran hard, but performance is necessary on all counts!

If performance is what counts then there is only one option - Hotshot. Performance and Buggy Champ just don't go together. The Hotshot will easily outperform the heavier Buggy Champ with the kit motor, never mind the much more powerful motors that can be mounted in the Hotshot.

[HunterZero]

Yes, the Hotshot is full time 4WD.

For handling, it's no contest. The Hotshot runs rungs around the Buggy Champ, and doesn't threaten to roll over on high grip surfaces.

The Hotshot is also more complex to build.

However, the Buggy Champ has an appeal all its own - and it is a better display model than the Hotshot in my opinion, as it's a better scale model.

And the Hotshot has some shortfalls in its suspension system, which means the front usually crashes into the ground a lot, it understeers when off-road unless you lift off to bring the back around, and the steering has comedy bumpsteer. So it's not exactly an ideal performer compared to a more modern buggy like a DF03 or DB01, or even a Fire Dragon, if that's what you are interested in.

- James

[BruiserBrew]

Thank you all for contributing.

The complex build from the hotshot kit is what appeals to me more than the buggy champ. I've had several sand scorchers over the years, a NIB build doesn't mean much to me.

On the other hand, I never had a hotshot.

From what I gathered, the buggy champ is also hard to find because of some shortage in stock?

I'm going to go with the hotshot. Will keep the forum posted when it arrives as well as the build progress.

[Henk4Focus]

Hotshot!!!! It just looks soooooo awesome!!!

Cheers

Henk

[BruiserBrew]

Hotshot!!!! It just looks soooooo awesome!!!

Cheers

Henk

That's what I'm thinking. TC's been flooded with buggy champs, too.

[Hotshot_DK]

Hotshot!!!! It just looks soooooo awesome!!!

Cheers

Henk

Here is my newbuild Shot with some hop-ups ! The suspension makes a badword of a different performing ...

[Connor]

I say go for the Buggy Champ, here's mine with 2 alternate shells, what a great buggy!!!

[vtecboost]

I'd say the HotShot all day

[BruiserBrew]

Thanks for the photos guys! The buggy champ looks great painted with different colours! I like the hopped-up hot shot as well, but for my purpose, it'll stay stock with the exception of full bearing set.

I've had quite a few Rough Rider through my hands over the last few years, so I'm really looking for something new to build. I know the SRB chasis inside n' out, so I'm looking for something new to build.

I'm hoping to place the order with Tower Hobbies in the next few days!

[mechinyun]

buggy champ

[Hotshot_DK]

Thanks for the photos guys! The buggy champ looks great painted with different colours! I like the hopped-up hot shot as well, but for my purpose, it'll stay stock with the exception of full bearing set.

I've had quite a few Rough Rider through my hands over the last few years, so I'm really looking for something new to build. I know the SRB chasis inside n' out, so I'm looking for something new to build.

I'm hoping to place the order with Tower Hobbies in the next few days!

Here is mine from it was new build ....... Reeeeal sweet

[hedge]

...Is it 4WD?....

Yes

Does it perform better than the BC?

YES

This particular build won't be ran hard, but performance is necessary on all counts!

Hotshot all the way, sand, gravel, tarmac, grass, jumps. Plus the hotshot is old school and its so easy to make the fibreglass chassis and also the four shock conversions these make a whole lot of difference, you will love it (or indeed you are already loving it )

Paul

[Origineelreclamebord]

I'd go for the Hotshot:

1: You mentioned you've already owned several SRB's and no Hotshot yet.

2: You mentioned you find the construction of the SRB a little simple, and the Hotshot build may appeal to you.

3: The Hotshot may very well be discontinued soon - probably sooner than the Buggy Champ 2009 - meaning the Hotshot will be on the lowest of price right now, and the Buggy Champ is not.

4: On the questions you stated, the answers point out that the Hotshot is the better car for you

[30cms]

or a boomerang . . . . .

/cat(pigeons)

[mongoose1983]

As someone said before... if you're going for the looks, no other Baja racer would look any better than the Buggy Champ (well, okay, only the Super Champ!). But if you want to run it, the Hot Shot is WAY better than the Buggy Champ!

[BruiserBrew]

As someone said before... if you're going for the looks, no other Baja racer would look any better than the Buggy Champ (well, okay, only the Super Champ!). But if you want to run it, the Hot Shot is WAY better than the Buggy Champ!

I think the buggy champ looks great, but I'm quite tired of looking at them.

[gordb]

Another vote for the Hotshot! Still my favourite Tamiya.