I'm a beginner!!

[Stan]

Hello,

I want to buy a car that hammers both on and off road but I'm not sure which car to get. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should buy?

Thanks

Stan

[WillyChang]

Really depends on your pricerange Stan; & welcome too.

All cars are a compromise - you can't possibly have everything under the same hat. You can buy an offroad car and run it onroad, but a dedicated touring car will always handle better on the tarmac.

Any cars that you like?

Have you checked what's available?

[Stan]

The only car I have looked at is the Terra Crusher. I'm from Australia and I think out of the box it's about $1000. Besides that not really anything else.

[WillyChang]

Yup, Oz here too... yes the Terra is about A$1000 here. Not a bad price for something fully set up & ready to run. Think you'll still need to BYO a 7.2V battery pack, charger & AAs for the radio.

Note that it is a gas car, and needs the running-in instructions followed to the letter or else you'll have endless trouble.

Similar cars would be the Traxxas T/E-Maxxes (gas/electric) and Kyosho has the MegaForce too; they're pretty much the same genre & price. These are all not exactly what you'd take racing on tarmac though.

Tamiya also makes electric monsters, eg TXT1.

[flyby]

Not wanting to put a dampner on things or throw a spanner in the works but i have found that i can get away with running electric cars anywhere, but get a lot of complaints when i start racing my gas one's in certain places., just a thought to bear in mind. I love taking my elecy's around built up areas with steps and drop offs etc.. couldn't take my gas one's there. Depends really on where in mind you have of using them.

Michael in carrot country (Norfolk UK)

[WillyChang]

Too true - what is it with neighbours anyway??

I think nitro engines sound GREAT!! (Even at 1am)

[Stan]

Why flyby? Is that because of the noise?

[Stan]

Willy, what state are you in and do you work at a hobby shop?

[WillyChang]

quote:

Willy, what state are you in and do you work at a hobby shop?

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I'm in VIC, Stan.

And let's just say I have little desire to work in any LHS here.

[Stan]

What suggestions would you have just for a road car?

[BiggusDitchus]

As far as electric you cant go far wrong with any of the new tamiyas the TA-04 chassis is excellent and tamiya bodies have so much detail they look awesome when given a decent paintjob... normally not too expensive either. I know it isnt a tamiya but if it is a gas car you want .... a schumacher fusion looks hot it is 1/10 scale runs a .21 motor and three speed gearing apparantly it is very quick. (Though I dont know if schumacher available in Aus they are a british company so you would have to look into it.)

[RETRO R/C]

Here in Aus - we have a pretty good selection of what is available worldwide.

You really have to make your mind up whether you want an "on" or "off road" car - or a car that will do both - or a truck etc etc - you get the drift !!

The schumacher 3 speed gas truck is an absolute PIG to drive - way too much power - badword - the chassis on the thing dates back to the original "cougar" off road buggy - talk about milking a design for all it is worth !! If you like doing doughnuts and just being out of control - and occasionally getting it to go in a straight line long enough for it to reach third gear - then this is your ride.

Perhaps the best compromise would be a "rally" style car - in either Gas or Electric - you would have the best of both worlds then.

The things that will obviously influence your decision the most (other than how much money you have)are things like your local area - your level of ecperience with cars - your mechanical knowledge etc etc.

Keep asking questions - even better - pop down to the local track to see what people are running - talk to the local shops - learn as much as you can from others - you will make an informed decision then - rather than a spare of the moment one that may put you off this hobby sooner rather than later.

my 2 cents mate !

Cheers

Darryn

[BiggusDitchus]

Darryn I think you misunderstood, there is a new schumacher 1/10 touring car out called the fusion (not the xtr truck I agree that is abysmal) The fusion uses the same motor as the truck and the 3 speed box but on a much better platform.

[RETRO R/C]

Man I have to stop posting with little or no sleep !!

Apologies for my misread !!

Glad you agree about the truck though - it really is a shocker !!

I in fact really like Schumacher products - I raced for the importer here in the mid nineties with the Cat 2000 - what a great car.

Cheers for now

Darryn

[Shodog]

I would go for an XB pajero. Its already built. It's electric so you don't have the hassles of gas. You can drive on both the street and the dirt.

[RETRO R/C]

Damned fine choice that would be shodog - however nowhere to be seen -and it has been like that for ages.......I have been searching for about 6 months...........shame it is already discontinued........it is an excellent truck.

Shodog - is your email working ?? I have tried several times to email you - no replies.......weird man !!

Cheers guys

Darryn

[Shodog]

hotmail sucks most of the time. you can catch me at this address also

jim.peacock@us.*pwcglobal.com

just remove the asterisk

[WillyChang]

Schueys are definitely available here, the Mission is pretty popular on the tracks. However this is a top-range kit, and runs with the big boys with their TBevoIIs, 414MIIs and Pro3s - would probably be a waste of $$ just for backyard bashing.

Really depends on how much experience you've got already... if "not much" then you can't go wrong with Tamiya's TL01 or TB01 range. They come in various rally & road versions depending on shell. They're cheap, workable, easy to build and spareparts available anywhere. Tamiya is usually the safer bet when it comes to after-sales support in Oz.

If its your first car & you're real serious about this hobby, I'd suggest buying a kit and building it yourself. Owning an RTR might save on 'building', but you'll be lost come time to fix.

Besides, sometimes I enjoy the building more than running. []

[flyby]

It's good to know that everyone thinks the desert storm is terrible, i can't believe they are still using the chassis either[], they have upgraded the kit now 3 times in the last few years. But not the chassis, which has always been the worst thing about the car, great engine and drive though, I like the fusion its a great car, but seriously where the badword would you make the most of it? wouldn't get used to the max much unless your near a runway. lol,

Steer clear of the d.s. Stan[] lol. it is not something a beginner should be driving in my opinion anyway, even experts have to concentrate hard with it, this thing could easily kill someone and also makes loads of noise, loads of noise, yes that much noise[]. after the thrill of sheer acceleration and speed wears off this could put you off rc for life as darryn says[].

Another thing to bear in mind is some petrol cars get very dirty very quick and require more work and knowledge to set up..[V]

for on and off road and electric (would be easier) i think the Wild dagger would be good[^], it's very robust, and handles on and off road with ease, with good run times.and available[][] easily hopped up , although it has 2 motors to replace !, but at the price range you were thinking off with the Terra Crusher, you can have good batteries & charger, a good electronic speed controller then motors when you get the hang of the speed it is standard . This is not a top level car by no means but is a ideal car to learn with, then when you feel you wouldn't break a fast car, all you need to buy is another chassis and you can use your electrics you allready have.[][]

one tip, when you use it try and set yourself a course , it improves the driving skills no end,

Michael on the broads (UK)

[flyby]

hi willy, lol, your post wasn't there when i started. lol

[DJTheo]

quote:Perhaps the best compromise would be a "rally" style car - in either Gas or Electric - you would have the best of both worlds then.

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The TB01 rallys are great cars and handle well also on- and on mild off-road road terrain. TL-01 is just a chassis to hold a body in the showroom [] and TA-04 is very fast on-road, but due to the belt you can drive it only on very clean tracks, TB-01 is a better allrounder, but not so good in on-road races. But you can run with it in the Tamiya rally category.

quote:Damned fine choice that would be shodog - however nowhere to be seen -and it has been like that for ages.......I have been searching for about 6 months...........shame it is already discontinued........it is an excellent truck.

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Yes XC is a secret tip, can be pretty fast on-road with the low rider kit and is an incredible climber with locked diffs, is used in Germany in trial competitions. Darryn, you find the XB-Pajero still easily in Germany...

[SJoerD]

I'd say you choose a bit of a rally car, a TB01 would be really nice, but maybe a TL01 would do as well. Since you were thinking of a Terra Chrusher, well, you probably got enough budget for a TB01 with a nice Mitsubighi Lancer Evo or Subaru Imprezea shell. The new Ford Focus is really cool as well. [8D]

Be aware you DON'T want to take humps and jumps with these cars, then you'll need a buggy/bigfoot. (like the TC you mentioned before) The type of off-road terrain for these 'rally' cars is a smooth sandy surface only, or tarmac when you fit slicks on it. Maybe you can tackle ice as wel, though I doubt there is a lot of that down under... [] My knig blackfoot was big fun in ice. (long ago... sweet memories [|)] )

I'd say you look at what you really like more, because buggies are off-road, tourings are on-road, but rally cars are more on- than off-road in my opinion: remember these are based on touring cars (sometimes the SAME chassis! Hope you can make up your mind a bit now! Now you only need to watch out for those kangaroos! [)]

Sjoerd

TIP: maybe you can check my 'chassis types' section on my site below. TL-01 and TB-01 still aren't there, but those are the cars to consider doubting between on and off-road. It's always a bit of a compromise. []id="blue">

[DJTheo]

Maybe the new user rides on my updated site will convince you to buy a XC-Chassis [][]

[WillyChang]

quote:Originally posted by flyby

hi willy, lol, your post wasn't there when i started. lol

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Smart minds think alike, eh Mikey? []

[SJoerD]

quote:Originally posted by WillyChang

quote:Originally posted by flyby

hi willy, lol, your post wasn't there when i started. lol

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Smart minds think alike, eh Mikey? []

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Yeah, just like me and Theo before...LOL [)]

To get back to the subject (you guys constantly go off-topic [|)], I sugest either a TB-01 or TL-01. MAybe an XC (Cross Country) vehicle would be nice, I hear good things about those. (Maybe something for me??? [] ) But I think it's best just to pick between on- and off-road else you'll end up with a compromise car not really that good at both. OR you just buy 2 cars at the same time... [)]

Sjoerd