That feeling? Gone?

[Sayer]

For me the romance seems to be all but gone. I've been spending an awful lot of time scrolling through listings on eBay and the catalogs of Hobby Shops, hoping in vain for something to catch my interest. Tamiya's either just stamping out new bodies to put on top of yet another TT -0? chassis or else they're releasing something that might be interesting if I didn't then have to replace most of it to correct bizarre design or aesthetic decisions. Even the other manufacturers are just stamping out tribal bodied chassis clone after chassis clone.

​I don't know, maybe I'm burnt out?

[TamiyaVancouver]

I have felt the same for a while which is why I haven't posted much up until now. With a recent birthday, my wife gave me the go ahead to purchase a kit (albeit on a rather small budget). In an attempt to get as much bang for my bucks, I ended up with a TT02 and a DT03. Anything else would have only allowed me only one kit, and nothing interested me. I would have loved a Egress or Super Hot Shot, but budget didn't allow that. Instead I got the above two kits and all the hopups I will buy won't count for the budget

[tamiya monkey]

I think alot of the Magic is from getting together with like minded folk and running these vintage Beauties, over here we have regular meets and its great to see so many tamiya's and kyosho's running around a track or just in a park.

[dualdigger]

I love Tamiya kits because I build them. That said I know how you feel, most new kits don't interest me and the ones that do are so expensive. ie: bruiser/mounty,egress,avante etc. I have resorted to building custom scalers as I get more "build pleasure" from them than building up a tt or dt chassis. Keep your head up things will get better and hopefully Tamiya releases some new products that we can get excited about.

[MadInventor]

For me the romance seems to be all but gone. I've been spending an awful lot of time scrolling through listings on eBay and the catalogs of Hobby Shops, hoping in vain for something to catch my interest. Tamiya's either just stamping out new bodies to put on top of yet another TT -0? chassis or else they're releasing something that might be interesting if I didn't then have to replace most of it to correct bizarre design or aesthetic decisions. Even the other manufacturers are just stamping out tribal bodied chassis clone after chassis clone.

​I don't know, maybe I'm burnt out?

I must admit I haven't bought many new kits in the last few years. I got a high lift at the start of the year, which I've built but has now stayed in the loft since its inaugural run. I don't get much time to run stuff now, but what I do run is either my TXT-1, my scratch built 3 speed 6x6, or the grapple skidder I'm in the process of building.

Perhaps it's a case of waiting for something to appear that just isn't going to happen.

I know you like your Jugg2 a lot, it's got it's design flaws (leaf springs, hard body, short wheelbase and rounded tires make rollovers very likely, no dampers), but you still like it a lot none the less. Perhaps you're just seeing the flaws before you buy the kit, rather than finding out about them afterwards, and that's putting you off.

I spend a lot of time building my own stuff, and would encourage anyone else to try and do the same. I would rather have been able to buy my 6x6 off the shelf with the Tamiya logo on the box than build it myself, but I don't have patience, so I attacked the project myself.

Instead of waiting for Tamiya to release your ideal kit why not look at their products as a huge parts bin and build your own. With an RC4wd or similar 1:1 transfer case mounted between 2 rear axles, it would be possible to add an extra axle to build a long wheelbase 6x6 Jugg 2, then shove a king hauler gearbox up front to feed into the standard gearbox, and top it all off with a 4274 brushless system. Is that sounding interesting at all ?

[XV Pilot]

I wouldn't say the feeling has gone, not at all. I very much enjoy running and tinkering with all of my Tamiyas, and there are still plenty more out there that I am excited about adding to the fleet one of these days.

[Grastens]

The feeling is not gone for me, but it has changed with the nature of my projects. I have gone from running on-road to putting vintage cars through their paces to customization work, so my enthusiasm for specific parts of the hobby may have diminished. However, the love affair is far from over!

Still keeps me from a 1:1 car, though...

[ChrisRx718]

I can't say that there are many models in the current line-up which I would really want. I love my CC01s, and would have one in every flavour (variant) if I had the space and money. They're not even a very good chassis!

I'm always intrigued by the TRF chassis and the mechanical side of how newly-developed chassis' work, but ultimately I don't have a high enough desire to stump up the cash for one.

My last 'new' Tamiya was a FAV Shark Mouth, which I got last Christmas. I've spent this year making sure I can get as much of my collection running instead of gathering dust, that I haven't bothered with anything new.

Even the latest buggy, the DT03, which does interest me and I do want one as a runner - is not a great leap over its' predecessor!

[Sayer]

I must admit I haven't bought many new kits in the last few years. I got a high lift at the start of the year, which I've built but has now stayed in the loft since its inaugural run. I don't get much time to run stuff now, but what I do run is either my TXT-1, my scratch built 3 speed 6x6, or the grapple skidder I'm in the process of building.

Perhaps it's a case of waiting for something to appear that just isn't going to happen.

I know you like your Jugg2 a lot, it's got it's design flaws (leaf springs, hard body, short wheelbase and rounded tires make rollovers very likely, no dampers), but you still like it a lot none the less. Perhaps you're just seeing the flaws before you buy the kit, rather than finding out about them afterwards, and that's putting you off.

I spend a lot of time building my own stuff, and would encourage anyone else to try and do the same. I would rather have been able to buy my 6x6 off the shelf with the Tamiya logo on the box than build it myself, but I don't have patience, so I attacked the project myself.

Instead of waiting for Tamiya to release your ideal kit why not look at their products as a huge parts bin and build your own. With an RC4wd or similar 1:1 transfer case mounted between 2 rear axles, it would be possible to add an extra axle to build a long wheelbase 6x6 Jugg 2, then shove a king hauler gearbox up front to feed into the standard gearbox, and top it all off with a 4274 brushless system. Is that sounding interesting at all ?

I think there are a series of issues working against me with the looking. The Jugg2 is admittedly not a performer, but the think that counters the drivability issues for me is the sheer sexiness (broken record) of the kit, but then I've also got a Clod, TLT, TXT, and a Double Dare (in pieces) - so a Wheely King doesn't interest me because it doesn't bring anything new to the table. It's not as sexy as either the Clod, the Dare or the Jugg and the TXT is exactly as drivable for my purposes.

Likewise, the reams of TT-02 bodyset holders that have taken over the "trash XB" duties from the much maligned TT-01 aren't compelling because I've already got a TA01 TA02 and TA03-FS(which is a good enough XV-01 for what I'm doing with it)...so why would I spring for a new car when I can just buy the body kit?

[Theibault]

Take a break. Nothing wrong with that. I have barely done anything RC related since spring. I have spent the whole summer on my dual sport motorcycle. Doesn't mean I've lost my love for RC. I've been at this almost non stop since 85, so I've become accustomed to talking months off. Sometimes I just don't feel it for RC, so I do other things but I'll always come back when my mood turns.

[stevieg32]

I felt the same way at the beginning of this year,suddenly i just did not want to do anything,i think some times you have too many projects on the go and it all becomes a little overwhelming and the fun/pleasure element of the hobby disappears and it starts to become a bit of a chore.Anyway i took some time off from modelling and got on with some outside d.i.y work and by the end of August the enthusiasm was back and i'm happily building again,just take a break,do something else for a while.

[mongoose1983]

Accept it, it's over. But probably not for good. So I'd strongly advice against selling your cars. Grab 'em all, partially dismantle them carefully, and put them in boxes. Chances are that in some years ahead your curiosity will lead you back to the hobby. That, or if you ever need some extra money you'd be able to turn to them and sell them to someone who would enjoy them better. But then again for what you just wrote, I do believe it is over.

[shenlonco]

I say try another brand RC That's what I do I am not only a Tamiya RC fan sometimes trying another brand rc is a good thing.

[ChrisRx718]

I say try another brand RC That's what I do I am not only a Tamiya RC fan sometimes trying another brand rc is a good thing.

I tried this - a cheap-as-chips Turnigy buggy. Boy, do I know that model well! Only because it breaks so very often and is in need of constant maintenance if I use it! BUT - it made me realise why I love my Tamiya models more - everything on them has a much higher quality of fitment, lasts longer and whilst it may seem like terrible value for money, the design just 'works' and doesn't require constant tweaking / adjusting / upgrading.

I want a buggy suitable for grass next. Or a Clodbuster - always wanted a Clod!

[mr crispy]

When I loose that loving feeling I box up my stuff and pack it away. Usually after a few months I'll start thinking about this or that and start unpacking boxes to see where I was at with a particular project. Its a little bit like opening a present that you've been thinking about for a while That'll usually get me back into the swing of things and pretty soon it'll all be back on the work bench again.

[Leonardas]

I lose that feeling sometimes too and I don't even know how I get back to it. One thing I know is that I will really want to do it all again later, so maybe this tought keeps me going

I tried selling my rc car half a year ago, but it didn't took long until I understood, that I need to have a hobby and that hobby has to be modelling. Now I have a brand new TT-02 from a kit and two projects and I'm even going to buy one more car tonight. It's kind of nice, that all of my RC cars are Tamiya, other brands just don't give me that much interest.

I don't run my TT-02 much, just because it's new and I don't want to get it all dirty, but I think I'll get over it one day. Already drove it a few times.

[njmlondon]

I know where you are coming from but would recommend Thiebault's plan of just taking a break.

I joined here in 2002 and got stuck in buying a NIB 959 and fulfilling some childhood dreams. In about 2008 I felt like you do now and sold everything. In 2010 I suddenly got interested again but by then 959's were twice the price!

I have found that mixing up my project-de-jour really helps. I took a year out of cars to build a full option King Tiger which opened up a brand new set of skills to learn. At the moment I am spending most of my time on planes and my Tamiya's are boxed up. It would not surprise me at all if I am rummaging through those boxes in a few months / years and my planes are being stored away.

Variety is the spice of life and change is as good as a rest.

[shenlonco]

I would suggest also get your self a cheap ready to fly quad copter this will give you something new to learn and they are very fun and addictive and after a while after you learned to fly and probably have a little flat of quad copters you will then go back to your land RC.

I have air land and water RC's I use them all the time but go through them in circle's some times I will be into boating much more for a while than into air and ground models.

[Tamiya1/10]

From the heading, i thought you were referring to the Mrs. You should consider the big riggs or tanks if you don't them already and the budget allows it. For the rig, got to get the sound system. The air horn on Jan. 1 at 6:00am is fun. As mentioned already, there are the other brand, which have been getting my money. The F1 an Pan cars are amazing and no too expensive.

I have cabinet at the foot of my bed that i keep some of my models and each night i look at them before i fall asleep. People stare at paintings, i stare at my RC.

One last thing, hanging around TC keeps the feelings ALIVE.

[lupogtiboy]

I am having a break from all things R/C at the moment, I still love it but so not in the mood for it at the moment. I have other hobbies (just as expensive!) that I get into for a while, then I get bored of that and go back to something else. Half my problem at the moment is that I probably have too many and I'm getting it in the neck as they take up a lot of room. I'm sure soon I'll get back into it though....

[shenlonco]

I was kind of under the tamiya thing and decided to try some other RC's so last week I picked up these to try out instead of the usual tamiya.

[mongoose1983]

[...] One last thing, hanging around TC keeps the feelings ALIVE.

Yes, the cars and works of fellow TCers here always give some spark to keep the fire burning, you know.

[Sayer]

So....I just pulled the trigger on a GF-01 (and WildWilly wheels and some bearings) I'm probably going to put a Jimny body on top and put either Mario or Luigi at the wheel (shhhhh! I don't really like Willy!)

[NWarty]

Sayer,

I understand where you're coming from as I got a little burned out also. But, fortunately I was able to pick up another project (1/20 McLaren MP4/8) and work on that since I enjoy building scale models also. That project was just sent to my brother in Atlanta last week as a late birthday gift.

I've got a Super G that needs restoring but can't seem to get motivated with it.

[qatmix]

I race RC at a club, that keeps it always fresh as you are surrounded by other enthusiasts, you have a weekly goal (Improve lap times) and it makes the hobby much more fun.

I still tinker, play with scale things and have projects, but if I stopped racing I would think that my interest in the hobby would wain.