New buggy opinions!

[Krankster82]

Hey guys, recently joined Tamiya Club after getting back into RC last Christmas with a Monster Beetle re-release. I had an original MB as a kid in the early 90’s so it was awesome to build one for myself this time (my Dad built my last one when I was a mere youngster as a Christmas present)! 

I really fancy getting a buggy this year and am considering a Hornet, Neo Scorcher or Manta Ray as trying to work to a budget - it would be the new re-release versions I’m looking at. 

Any opinions on what the best of these options would be? I think the Neo Scorcher and Manta Ray have better specs with fully independent oil shocks etc but the Hornet has that nostalgic appeal to it! I’m also conscious of some decent options further up the chain such as the Wild One, but would have to think about budget! 

Opinions gratefully received! : )

Thanks! 

 

[TurnipJF]

The Manta Ray is also a classic from the past, albeit a bit more recent than the '80s Hornet. It came out in the '90s IIRC. Of your three options, it is also the best performer off-road, with better ground clearance than the Neo Scorcher and more advanced suspension and drivetrain than the Hornet.

However if bling and upgrades are your thing, the Neo Scorcher has the biggest selection of the three, and is also the easiest to find parts for.

The Hornet is probably the most iconic of the three, but the worst performer and the least upgradeable. (Unless of course you go the Ampro/Shapeways route and turn it into a Super Fly.)

The Wild One is more expensive and more realistic than the three main options, but fits somewhere in between the Hornet and Neo Scorcher in terms of performance, being a relatively narrow 2WD.

[Krankster82]

Cheers TurnipJF, that’s some interesting advice there! Yes, I recall the original Manta Ray too - I mainly remember the mini racer versions from that era! : ) 

Thanks again, I have a little while to consider things so will look out for more advice and contInue to weigh up the options! 

[Juggular]

Perhaps you can browse the first 100 RC cars? 

http://www.blackholesun.fr/en/40-en/tamiya/kits/2-58000-series-kits

Blackholesun lists the first RC (58001) to the most recent RC (58654), many of which are available in re-releases.  

[Phil5556]

I'm biased but if you're interested in the Manta Ray have a look at the Top Force instead.

It's like a Manta Ray but with a cooler chassis and looks A LOT better.

[Jonathon Gillham]

The Manta Ray was released in 1990, so still at the height of the buggy craze.  I've heard stories that it dominated the club racing scene back then as a cheap and very capable car to be able to have a go.  Sure, it wasn't up there with the competition from Schumacher, Associated etc, but would hold its own at club level.

I would say definitely the Manta Ray of those 3 options you have given, its more capable than the Neo Scorcher as it was designed as a buggy rather than taking a touring car and turning it into a buggy.  Other ones to look at would be the Boomerang or Novafox, they were released last year and are still available now.  Not as capable as the Manta Ray but cool looking and I think they perform better than the Neo Scorcher based on my experience with all 3.

[ThunderDragonCy]

Manta Ray for sure. Tamiya have rereleased that chassis that many times or its variants are still in production that spares and hop ups really aren't a problem. Main advantage to the Manta Ray over the Scorcher aside from those mentioned above are that it has metal driveshafts too. The Scorcher comes with these horrid fat plastic things with matching massive hubs and outdrives. Upgrading to metal if you out some power in the Scorcher will cost over 30 quid in parts, plus it seems to need the DF02 metal gears to handle power too. Hardened driveshafts for the Manta just needing the shafts which are about 5 quid a pair. Manta does need some mild upgrading to handle power, but Tamiya have released an official hop up which includes a metal motor mount and stronger centre prop shaft so for me that is a no brainer to add to the kit. Throw in some bearings and the Plastic Touring Car Gearset (again only a few quid) and you are golden. There are also tonnes of vintage style bodies that fit because it was in production for so long and everything up to a carbon chassis if you get upgraditis. 

[taffer]

Tamiya have upgraded the manta ray re-re-re from the plastic ended drive shafts to thundershot metal ones, which is a nice upgrade from the 2005 re-re !

[ThunderDragonCy]

12 minutes ago, taffer said:

Tamiya have upgraded the manta ray re-re-re from the plastic ended drive shafts to thundershot metal ones, which is a nice upgrade from the 2005 re-re !

Perfect. Driveshafts don't need upgrading at all then

[MadInventor]

Anything will handle better than the hornet !

 

[Fuijo]

1 hour ago, MadInventor said:

Anything will handle better than the hornet !

 

Might not be as much fun in isolation tho'.

 

 

[JeffSpicoli]

Frog, Box Art.

[Mahjik]

What do you plan do with it?  Just bash it around for fun?  Run it on your local track?

 

[chazekxt]

dt02 sand viper?

[magnumb]

Have you considered a DN-01 direct from Tamiya for $110? 

Very high quality parts and fun little machine with a nice looking body. 

[Krankster82]

Many thanks for all your input guys! Lots of good advice and opinions shared there...cheers! 

I’ll let you know in a few months what I decided to do! : )