426Purplefish 15 Posted July 8, 2020 As an older guy that loves the top performing buggies from the 80s (Mids, YZ10, Egress, etc), I would love to build a modern 4wd buggy that performs well, has a good supply of parts, and can be run hard. The problem is- I have no interest in modern racers that I see because of the hideous cab-forward design that looks like someone stomped on it. Modern crawlwers look awesome (not my thing) but the last racing buggy that I thought looked ok was the ZX-5. For guys like me, what modern buggies have you found that, while not racers, run well and have tolerable looks? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderDragonCy 7878 Posted July 8, 2020 I think that is a tricky one simply because the layout of modern race (very wide chassis at the front like a touring car) buggies precludes fitting older shells. I have found it quite easy to fit older tamiya buggy shells onto modern 2WD buggies. I had a Grasshopper 2 shell on my TRF201 for a bit, amd i can't see why an astute couldn't be fitted to a modern buggy with a bit of creative body trimming. Closest any Tamiyas get to modern 4wd layout is the DF02 and TT02B, neither of which are great buggies, but the Plasma Edge shell is fairly old school looking and might be adapted to a 4wd race kit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 8, 2020 Great suggestion! I should have specified that it doesn't have to be Tamiya. Agree that the above mentioned are not bad looking. Not great buggies because; not robust enough? Not engineered well for good handling? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fabia130vRS 2098 Posted July 8, 2020 I had a DF02, but it was not my thing, really small ground clearance. I’d opt every day all day Zahaak. I believe it is the DN01 chassis. edit: just realized it is 2wd. I really love the Xray series of the buggy/truggy dept. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegorf 39 Posted July 8, 2020 How about a ReRe Kyosho Optima or Turbo Optima? Not modern, or cutting edge (well, certainly not now), but by all accounts seem to handle fairly nicely, have beefed up tranny etc so can safely run modern BL systems, and you can still get (most) parts for them. Oh, and they look drop dead gorgeous. Not a lot around now though, but RC Mart still had the Turbo Optima when I last looked a few days back, and the Javelin is still readily available, easy to chuck an Optima shell on that if you don't dig cage buggies. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 8, 2020 2 hours ago, Fabia130vRS said: I had a DF02, but it was not my thing, really small ground clearance. I’d opt every day all day Zahaak. I believe it is the DN01 chassis. edit: just realized it is 2wd. I really love the Xray series of the buggy/truggy dept. I will check out the Zahaak and the Xray-Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 8, 2020 1 hour ago, thegorf said: How about a ReRe Kyosho Optima or Turbo Optima? Not modern, or cutting edge (well, certainly not now), but by all accounts seem to handle fairly nicely, have beefed up tranny etc so can safely run modern BL systems, and you can still get (most) parts for them. Oh, and they look drop dead gorgeous. Not a lot around now though, but RC Mart still had the Turbo Optima when I last looked a few days back, and the Javelin is still readily available, easy to chuck an Optima shell on that if you don't dig cage buggies. Ha, literally just finished a TO re re and it is great. Ordered a yellow Javelin body kit for it. I actually have a bunch of the old optimas and javelins including an NIB. I see they are not worth a whole lot now. Should probably unload some of my Mids before the Re Res come out...if they ever do. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howards 456 Posted July 9, 2020 13 hours ago, 426Purplefish said: while not racers, run well and have tolerable looks Durga is a looker in my view. Mid cab, and a little space rocket like if you can cope with that. This one - not mine - is a fine specimen! https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=89179&id=18028 Can get them NIB from Japan or HK. Plenty of spares and hop ups that are easy to get. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 9, 2020 12 hours ago, Howards said: Durga is a looker in my view. Mid cab, and a little space rocket like if you can cope with that. This one - not mine - is a fine specimen! https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=89179&id=18028 Can get them NIB from Japan or HK. Plenty of spares and hop ups that are easy to get. Not wild about the look of the Durga-still looks a little too alien space ship to me. That said, might be the best option for a modern buggy. Good price,, parts etc. Looks may even grow on me. Thanks for the suggestion 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnsllc 917 Posted July 10, 2020 21 hours ago, 426Purplefish said: Not wild about the look of the Durga-still looks a little too alien space ship to me. That said, might be the best option for a modern buggy. Good price,, parts etc. Looks may even grow on me. Thanks for the suggestion baldre body fits db01 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bash 356 Posted July 10, 2020 Have you looked at the Schumacher CAT L1 evo? It has a cab forward body, but it looks better than most in my opinion. It also is miles ahead of a DB-01 in terms of performance. The belt drive is also unique since most 4WD buggies are shaft drive now. Parts are a little hard to get in the US, but seem to be easy to get in most of Europe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howards 456 Posted July 10, 2020 Heh, for £500 you’d hope it would be more advanced than a DB01 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 10, 2020 3 hours ago, Finnsllc said: baldre body fits db01 Looks much better! Is the Durga an updated version of the same chassis? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 10, 2020 3 hours ago, Bash said: Have you looked at the Schumacher CAT L1 evo? It has a cab forward body, but it looks better than most in my opinion. It also is miles ahead of a DB-01 in terms of performance. The belt drive is also unique since most 4WD buggies are shaft drive now. Parts are a little hard to get in the US, but seem to be easy to get in most of Europe. Thanks. Yea, not as bad but I can't do the cab forward at all. I'm not a racer so I don't need to drive ugly bc it offers an advantage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seanster43 222 Posted July 10, 2020 What’s your budget? Are you wanting to add hop ups as you go? Theres a couple of DN-01 builds on the go at the moment, you can still get these from abroad as far as I’m aware. They have good foundations to be tuned and plenty hop ups to get them upto TRF spec. Failing that I’d be on ebay looking at some of the other mentioned kits. I was considering Kyosho etc too but as I have a Tamiya TB-01 I thought I’d keep with Tamiya for now. I got a good deal on a TRF201. Ticks all the boxes doesn't look too modern yet can still hold its own. Can change the shells on them too to suit your style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 11, 2020 6 hours ago, Seanster43 said: What’s your budget? Are you wanting to add hop ups as you go? Theres a couple of DN-01 builds on the go at the moment, you can still get these from abroad as far as I’m aware. They have good foundations to be tuned and plenty hop ups to get them upto TRF spec. Failing that I’d be on ebay looking at some of the other mentioned kits. I was considering Kyosho etc too but as I have a Tamiya TB-01 I thought I’d keep with Tamiya for now. I got a good deal on a TRF201. Ticks all the boxes doesn't look too modern yet can still hold its own. Can change the shells on them too to suit your style. Kinda of wanting to go 4wd but those are solid 2wd choices-thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howards 456 Posted July 11, 2020 9 hours ago, 426Purplefish said: Is the Durga an updated version of the same chassis? Same chassis - they just released two bodies for it. The Baldre body is taller and has more space for electrics and air flow over the motor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 11, 2020 7 hours ago, Howards said: Same chassis - they just released two bodies for it. The Baldre body is taller and has more space for electrics and air flow over the motor. Might need consider this option. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JNSD1 288 Posted July 12, 2020 I can tell you my re-re Kyosho Javelin is incredible. The build quality is better than Tamiya and it's bulletproof. Can't recommend highly enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 12, 2020 15 hours ago, JNSD1 said: I can tell you my re-re Kyosho Javelin is incredible. The build quality is better than Tamiya and it's bulletproof. Can't recommend highly enough. I love the Optima series. I just built the turbo optima. A little bored with the red and white shells so I ordered a yellow javelin shell. Can’t justify buying the kit. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bromley 681 Posted July 12, 2020 I'd maybe take a look at the Arrma Typhon 3s. It looks better than most modern buggies and runs very strongly. While not an out and out racer, it's tough as all badword and goes like the proverbial. If you want something more classically styled maybe a Cat XLS rerelease. Nothing modern gets close to classic 80s/90s buggys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t3garett 268 Posted July 12, 2020 I second a cat xls, it s pretty bullet proof out the box, with pro spec transmission it can handle big brushless power and it has a way of moving and sliding on rough terrain that I find mesmerizing compared To my kyosho's, avante's and egress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
426Purplefish 15 Posted July 12, 2020 14 minutes ago, t3garett said: I second a cat xls, it s pretty bullet proof out the box, with pro spec transmission it can handle big brushless power and it has a way of moving and sliding on rough terrain that I find mesmerizing compared To my kyosho's, avante's and egress. Compelling argument! I think the negative talk regarding build and maintenance has kept me from this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t3garett 268 Posted July 12, 2020 Don t listen to them !!! It s a tough build but very rewarding and once it s set up properly maintenance is very straightforward. It s also a very rugged car and can take a lot of abuse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t3garett 268 Posted July 12, 2020 Also don t Forget the topcat ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites