Recommendations for 10yr old's first RC car/truck

[Jack in Norfolk]

My 10 year old Nephew needs his first RC truck. I want to get him something that he (with a little help maybe) can repair when it breaks.  I don't want to spend a ton of cash if possible, but would love your suggestions. I'm thinking something offload able is best.

Thanks!

[TurnipJF]

When I was researching my first hobby-grade RC, several recommendations were made, but my shortlist came down to one of the WT-01 trucks or the DT-01 Mad Bull truck/buggy hybrid.

Both options are easy to build, easy to maintain, strong and tough, capable of impressive offroad performance, and can handle plenty of power should one want to upgrade the motor.

In the end I went for the Mad Bull because it was a bit cheaper and reportedly had a bit of an edge in terms of toughness, and I preferred the looks. However either would have made a fine first RC.

There is also the Lunch Box, a fun model popular with children due to its "stunt" handling. It is also quite tough and reliable, and is easy to maintain. However the same properties that give it its stunt capacity also make it rather prone to falling over, so it may get a bit frustrating having to put it back on it's wheels each time. Still, they can be fun!

 

[Baddon]

LOL, as above but with a different view point.

my lads getting into RC and after consideration of the Midnight Pumpkin/Lunchbox - tip over a lot and a bit hard to control as they like to pop wheelies.

Madbull - bit odd on handling and limited as to what or how you may modify it

So bought a WT-01 truck (BushDevil 2 with ESC) got it and thought he will need someone to bash about with so got another for me.....lol Oh and a few hop ups for us both. Santa will have a very large Sac at ours this year...

One thing to take into account is where you will use them and the surface or terrain. As we live in the sticks and get away a lot at weekends to caravan sites this could be anything so the bigger the wheels the easier on any surface, again another push to the WT-01's

Another plus is they can be made 4WD and with a fair bit of work 4WS.

 

All said though Madbull's are more common 2nd hand but of late on EBay have been very strong money, suspect this will change after Christmas.

[Snappy1]

Make the historical choice, Hornet or Grasshopper

[Nobbi1977]

Wt-01 for me or maybe a DT-03 with big wheels.

DT-03 is a great platform at a very good price.

Getting the right motor is probably more important than the car at that age. The balance of fun speed but none frustrating controllability makes motor choice important. 

[Backlash]

10 hours ago, Jack in Norfolk said:

My 10 year old Nephew needs his first RC truck. I want to get him something that he (with a little help maybe) can repair when it breaks.  I don't want to spend a ton of cash if possible, but would love your suggestions. I'm thinking something offload able is best.

Thanks!

Have you thought of asking him which car that he would like (without actually asking him)?? What if you were to show him some photos of the RC cars or trucks that fit into your budget, and then tell him that YOU are going to buy another RC car/truck for yourself, and ask him which one would he pick or think that you should buy??

If you would like for him to be able to repair it himself, then if its possible, buy him a kit and build it WITH him, not for him... Knowing how it was built will ensure that he will have a good understanding of how it will need to come apart if or when it needs to be repaired..

The Mad Bull is quite popular with many members as a kids first RC car, as its big wheels allow it to run on all types of terrain and its wide stance helps to prevent it from tipping over when cornering.. Its a pretty basic model, so it probably wouldn't be that difficult for him to build it himself (I believe that the Mad Bull comes with its shocks prebuilt in the kit)...

Other cars that have a similar basic chassis design would include the Hornet, Grasshopper, Grasshopper 2, Midnight Pumpkin (stunt), Vanessa's Lunchbox (stunt) etc...

The WR01/WT01 cars would also be good choices, as would the Stunt vehicles like the Wild Willy 2 (WR-02 chassis)  or the Heavy Dump Truck and FJ40 Landcruiser pickup (GF-01 chassis), but they are a little more complex with their 4 wheel independent suspension..