New car?

[Falcon#5]

Gday all.

Wife said she'll buy me a new car for my birthday!

I want something to bash, so I don't bash my poor old Falcon to death!

Not sure whether to go with a DT-02, DF-03, or a Re-re Hotshot.

Strange mix, I know.

I love my Falcons, so naturally leads me to a DT-02.

But I'm keen on a 4wd, I have always wanted a Shot, so leaning that way.

Then again, I want something I can bash, that is tough, without fear of expensive/hard to find replacement parts.

Which makes me think of a DF-03.

Can people please post pros and cons for each, or even models I haven't mentioned?

I'm sure I'll get plenty of Slash suggestions, but I want a Tamiya kit. Nothing RTR.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

[commiedoor]

get a TL01 of some sort , you carnt kill them ( well all most ), theres a heap of alloy gear out there for them if you want t o bling it up , if you get tired of it as a buggy , you can make it a truck .

[SteelRat]

How about the F150 Racing truck, which I think is based on a TA02?

Good, sturdy, proven 4WD chassis, lots of bits, and leaves lots of options for making it whatever you want if you don't like the truck body.

I agree you should get a DT-02 at some point though, even if not this time around

[WillyChang]

get a Boomerang or a MantaRay

[Origineelreclamebord]

I would've recommended the Dyna Storm if it wasn't for it's unavailable and vulnerable suspension blocks.

For a basher strangely enough, I'd point you to the TRF201. Don't stop reading here thinking it's a ridiculous idea, I'll explain why

For a nice basher (and some points for cars in general too), you are looking for a car that ticks the following boxes:

- Can take a big motor (and has enough gearing options for that).

- Can handle jumps and land without ruining the drivetrain.

- Doesn't fall apart after a few crashes.

- Has good spares availability.

- Gives good value for money.

- The chassis must be capable of handling reasonably.

- Looks good.

The DT-02 ticks most of these boxes.... but in my opinion, doesn't score good in the 'good value for money' category (it's pretty steeply priced for such a simple 2WD buggy). It doesn't have a slipper clutch, so the drivetrain does get bigger hits with each jump you land. It can probably take a beating, but I wouldn't want to take any chances if the solutions are available on other cars. And lastly, gearing options are limited and therefor so will be some limitations when it comes to power.

The DN-01 ticks most of the boxes as well... However, it looks very bad (imo anyway ), you need to hop it up before the drivetrain really resembles something of a considerably higher spec than the DT02 (as the DN-01 doesn't have a slipper or universals). It's not good value for money either: It's only +/- $50 cheaper than the TRF201 (and then you already have a body and wing with your TRF201). For those extra 50 dollars you get:

- Reinforced plastics that the DN-01 doesn't have.

- WO Universal Shafts.

- Slipper Clutch

- Titanium Turnkbuckles

- TRF Dampers

- Some more misc stuff.

- A better looking shell.

All these things mentioned above make for either a better handling car, a more durable car, or both. This is the whole reason why you don't see a lot of DN-01's on TC, because if it was for sale at a good price, I'm sure people would take the body for what it is and buy one

So in short: Either get a TRF201, and if you don't, exclude the DN-01 from the list as well.

As for what you mentioned about the DF03... I wouldn't do it. Nice looking car, nicely designed too and works pretty well as well, but I heard time and time again there are some problems that could and should have been solved in it's development. Soft aluminum mainshaft gear in the rear gearbox (both on the standard mainshaft and the mainshaft of the slipper clutch), not LiPo ready chassis tub (without mods), I heard the steering assembly can jam because of debry too? Amongst the 4WDs I'd go for the DB01.

[mtbkym01]

I guess it comes down to looks or performance. If you want to bash it hard, then something like the Blazing Star/Manta Ray would fit the bill. Blazing star is available quite cheaply too, and is a base for a Top Force

If you want it to look awesome, while running around the track, well the Hotshot is numero uno!

[taliesin]

If you just want to bash the bejesus out of something, a DT-02 is the buggy for you. Everything your Falcon will do, but more and tougher by a mile. TamiyaUSA is giving away Neo-Falcons for a song. Might appeal to you as a Falcon Lad? Cheap as chips and tough as nails.

4wd choices are bit harder. The DF-03 wouldn't be my choice. For simple bashing I'd take a DF-02 with all its limitations - think TT-01 with buggy tires, and you're not far wrong. For pure style points I'd recommend a Shot, but I wouldn't flog that one as parts are likely going to be a problem at some point. Brittle plastic compared to moderns, and pretty complex suspension that just doesn't appear to thrive on abuse. Lots of re-res out there now, but ... I wouldn't thrash mine for these reasons.

I just thrash the dog-snot out of my Dirt Thrasher and it seems to take it just fine. It destroys tires and wings. Disposable items from the moment you build a model IMO. No complaints here.

I think the Manta Ray or Blazing Star is a great choice too. Nice mixture of vintage appeal with modern(ish) handling and parts are not fragile nor made of unobtainium. I've got a Fire Dragon and I really like it, but I do worry about parts.

Boomers and Shots are similar - you can run them just fine, but I wouldn't hammer on them unless you like searching for parts. I've seen guys thrashing a Shot at a skate park, but personally I thought they were nuts. Shockingly, it was broken to bits when they were done. Hmmmm.

[mongoose1983]

Go for a Hot Shot buggy, mate. It's an instant classic, a milestone in Tamiya's catalog, plus the building process is complex, so it's a great all-around experience. OH, and of course, they're awesome when hitting the dirt!

[Henk4Focus]

To answer on your choices.

DT-02. Full marks as a basher. I do not really like doing ridiculous big jumps on hard pack surfaces so it's holding up nicely plus I'm happy with the added speed of the Sport tuned motor. Neo can also drive his Neo Falcon without problems, plus I think the white Neo Falcon looks AWESOME!!!

DF-03. Well I build mine and feels to scared to run it as I can just see it's not going to take bashing very well. It's just too low and that tub is just waiting to get filled up with debris. Good looking buggies though.

Re-RE Hot Shot. I bought mine but might only build mine for display. According to my Tamiya supplier they have a lot of spares requests on the re-re, so it means it doesn't like being bashed.

Just as an outsider why not check out the Zhahak? Only bummer there I think it's twice the price of the Neo Falcon.

Henk

[KalEl63]

get a TL01 of some sort , you carnt kill them ( well all most ), theres a heap of alloy gear out there for them if you want t o bling it up , if you get tired of it as a buggy , you can make it a truck .

I got that advice hence why I got my Stadium Raider.. (just waiting for the postie to deliver it)

I vote for the DT-02 in the 2WD, I got myself the Neo Falcon for a runner and I got it cheap. I would vote for a Boomer in the 4WD model. I was going thru this only a few weeks back on what to get

[mtbkym01]

It's gotta have an old school feel

Hotshot, Hotshot, Hotshot, Oi, Oi, Oi

[KalEl63]

The Hotshot does have that appeal... but do you want appeal or flat out fun. Not saying you won't get that from a shot. as if i had the cash I would get a shot too amoung the rest of Tamiya's models.

I say a Fox has that appeal too in a 2WD

[mtbkym01]

The Hotshot does have that appeal... but do you want appeal or flat out fun. Not saying you won't get that from a shot. as if i had the cash I would get a shot too amoung the rest of Tamiya's models.

I say a Fox has that appeal too in a 2WD

Agreed, love the looks of 'em both! And I guess that's what I'm looking for out of these models, I got my modern stuff for pure performance

[Falcon#5]

Thanks for all the replies!

Now I'm torn...

TRF-201 would be nice. Ticks most boxes for me.

But I feel like I'm turning my back on my Vintage roots!

What body options are available?

Plus I could almost get a DT-02 and a Shot for the price of a TRF-201.

Shot has it hands down in the looks department.

But I really like the look of the Dark Impact.

Too much to think about!

Maybe I should just buy a kite?!

[KalEl63]

Get a DB-01 then.... My Durga is great fun to drive, with a bit complexity

[mtbkym01]

Thanks for all the replies!

Now I'm torn...

TRF-201 would be nice. Ticks most boxes for me.

But I feel like I'm turning my back on my Vintage roots!

What body options are available?

Plus I could almost get a DT-02 and a Shot for the price of a TRF-201.

Shot has it hands down in the looks department.

But I really like the look of the Dark Impact.

Too much to think about!

Maybe I should just buy a kite?!

You know whatever one you decide on, the next will go straight to the top of the list, and you wont rest until you can have it. I thought I'd want nothing else after the Sand Scorcher, 5 additional NIB's later, and I cant wait to get an Avante, Holiday Buggy, Stadium Blitzer, Top Force...............It just goes on and on

[Falcon#5]

You know whatever one you decide on, the next will go straight to the top of the list, and you wont rest until you can have it. I thought I'd want nothing else after the Sand Scorcher, 5 additional NIB's later, and I cant wait to get an Avante, Holiday Buggy, Stadium Blitzer, Top Force...............It just goes on and on

I know what you mean!

I have a list, but what is at the top of it right now, I just can't decide!

[KalEl63]

Put it in order of hardest to get or most expensive an work your way back until you get one?

When is your B'Day?

[Falcon#5]

Just saw a cheap TRF-201 from Jr-Rc.

Will any Vintage bodys fit this chassis?

[Falcon#5]

Put it in order of hardest to get or most expensive an work your way back until you get one?

When is your B'Day?

8th May.

Have a baby due the same day. Which is also Mothers' Day this year!

[KalEl63]

Just saw a cheap TRF-201 from Jr-Rc.

Will any Vintage bodys fit this chassis?

Nice car that

[Falcon#5]

Is there a 4wd version based on the TRF chassis?

*EDIT*

TRF-502?

[KalEl63]

TRF-501X?

[Falcon#5]

Is there a 4wd version based on the TRF chassis?

*EDIT*

TRF-502?

Hmm, expensive...

[DooBeDooBeDo]

Is there a 4wd version based on the TRF chassis?

*EDIT*

TRF-502?

There are TRF 501/511 (Belt drive) and TRF 502 (shaft drive). The DB01 (Durga/Baldre) is a plastic version based on the 501.