If Traxxas would...

[Saito2]

I was thinking today, that, like Tamiya, Traxxas has kept a lot of chassis designs around for some time by changing bodies/tweeking appearances/making gradual updates. Take the Stampede. It's been around for a VERY long time now. Just as a thought, what would it be like if Traxxas vehicles were 1. available as kits, 2. featured dynamic boxart like Tamiyas, 3. Had some more personality in their names/bodies/graphics? I wonder where they'd be and what effect it might have on the hobby.

[RushRebel]

I built some Traxxas kits back in the 90's. The TRX-1 was a GREAT buggy and very easy to tune. The Stampede was darn near indestructible, gave it some good thrashings at a BMX track and never broke a single part. For me, most of the fun is in the build and as much as I'd love to get a Slash or Stampede 4x4, unless it's a kit, forget it. The local hobby store has reminded me that they sell ALL the parts to build most Traxxas cars/trucks and it would just be a matter of getting a list of what was needed. That's just not the same as cracking open a kit, with the dynamic boxart-as you mentioned, plus it'll probably cost more.

As for the effect on the hobby, it could only help them sell MORE vehicles, as I'm sure there're others out there who share my dislike of RTR's.

[markbt73]

As much as I hate to admit it, as the quirkiness and cartoony nature of Tamiya kits is quintessentially Japanese, so too the ease of use and emphasis on speed and instant gratification in Traxxas models is quintessentially American. I would love it if Traxxas would go back to selling kits (and I too have considered building a Slash off the parts rack) but it's just not in their nature. They've made a reputation (and a fortune) from easily accessible speed, and the gaudy graphics and cookie-cutter looks are part of that. I guess what I'm saying is, love them or hate them, if they were different, they wouldn't be Traxxas. Much like, without the plastic bushings and cartoon bears, Tamiya wouldn't be Tamiya.

[Ian_Gsi16V]

I built a Traxxas Rustler back in the 90's, was a great truck and I wish I had kept hold of it tbh for whatever reason I didn't.

I wouldn't buy a RTR kit, as much as I like running them, the building is the best bit and knowing how it all goes together for me means when they break it's just a shrug of the shoulders rather than worrying "how am I going to fix that".

 

 

[Mad Ax]

They're two ends of the hobby - I love Tamiya for what they offer and Traxxas for what they do.  I only have one Traxxas (1:16 e-revo VXL) and it's never had a single part changed, gets run hard and doesn't need constant fettling.  I wonder if it would be as robust if it was built as a kit?

Not everyone can build to the same standard, would Traxxas's reputation as a builder of indestructible kits withstand the complaints of people who fail to assemble properly and blame the manufacturer?

[Saito2]

Yeah the whole boxart thing is very Japanese. Back in the day a lot of Japanese manufacturers had boxart (Kyosho being a stand out with their photos) but an Associated or Losi or Traxxas would just be a picture. Less misleading but less dynamic as well. The RC10 sort of split the difference with a dynamic action photo. I do miss the old Traxxas when you could assemble an Eagle, Bullet, Sledgehammer, etc. Who knew they'd become the huge RTR juggernaut that they are today back then. I'd love to be able to assemble a Maxx or Stampede. I'd also love creative paint schemes instead of the weird tribal mess that covers their current bodies to look "rad" to 14 year olds.

[GooneyBird]

I've built a Stampede from a kit, so I'm sure they made kits in the late '90s, early '00s.

In their own right Traxxas does a lot of things for the hobby. By selling (relatively) cheap RTR cars and boats, they're opening up the hobby to a slew of newcomers. People who, at some point, will turn to the parts rack to tune and personalize their cars and boats. And at some point, they'll outgrow their Traxxasses and get a 'proper' kit, now being acquanted with the build-process of an RC car. New people in this shrinking hobby are always more than welcome.

[loaba]

First car I ever had was a Traxxas Nitro Rustler and I will never own another RTR or nitro car again. I would consider purchasing another Traxxas product, but only in kit form. I have no use for stock electronics and pre-painted bodies.

If you're looking for a Slash in kit form, I believe the old Proline Pro 2 is essentially that? 

• / don't hate Traxxas
• // do hate nitro

[Pumesta]

No interest in a RTR, I enjoy the build as much if not more than the running.  For me RTR no matter how good just get bundled mentally into the same category as the £20 Mini's and Ferrari's Halfords sell at Christmas.