A-Baum 352 Posted November 24, 2020 Son REALLY wants to build a car for xmas on his own, no help. I'm in the states so my options are a little limited with Tower being sold out of just about everything. I am torn between going old school or newer. I could do the hornet/grasshopper/rising fighter/super storm dragon. Or maybe a Lunch box. He has a Racing Fighter that I built him a few year ago that he likes to drive so he has a DT-03. I am worried about a hornet/hopper being slower and more boring for him since he can drive his racing fighter. I have two TT-02s (plasma and subaru wrc) as well as blackfoot, manta ray, top force, zahhak, super hot shot, a resto frog. Was looking at the 1/12 Nissan Titan dt-02 since Tower has it in stock (at the moment). There's a couple other US shops I can look at but stock is pretty hard to come by. So I guess the question stands...can I do better than the Titan DT-02 for him for his first build? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Busdriver 6207 Posted November 24, 2020 Not a bad first build. Fairly simple. Think most come with shocks and a torque tuned motor. Usually good price too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A-Baum 352 Posted November 24, 2020 And the parts availability will be there. Not that it won't with a hornet/hopper/lunch box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A-Baum 352 Posted November 24, 2020 Maybe the aqroshot? I have spare DT-03 parts, including a chassis. On sale for $140 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TurnipJF 9113 Posted November 24, 2020 SInce he already has the DT-03, either the DT-03T Aqroshot or the DT-02 Titan would both make sense from a spares commonality point of view, as well as being unlikely to disappoint in the performance department, and giving a truck body as a contrast to the buggy. You might also get him a TT-02B of his own to run alongside yours, again benefitting from spares commonality and letting him explore the handling differences between 4WD and 2WD buggies of similar standard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sweatpants 101 Posted November 24, 2020 I just finished a lunchbox. I have built hundreds of cars. That was the most fun, simple build i have had in a while. I watched a show and assembled at the same time. Just buy the tranny brace and set of cva's for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
87lc2 2658 Posted November 24, 2020 Just took a look on Tower, wow, had no idea that nearly every Tamiya kit was on Backorder. I would have suggested a Blackfoot, I think it's the perfect first car for a 12 year old. Good luck with whatever you choose, I built my first RC when I was 12 and I still have very fond memories of doing it bit by bit over a week's time on the dining room table. It was an Associated RC10 and I was so proud of it because I built it myself. Can't wait until my daughter is old enough to build her first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A-Baum 352 Posted November 25, 2020 Tower was never this bad even during the height of the pandemic. TamiyaUSA has a few but their list prices are brutal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DPR250R 55 Posted November 25, 2020 I ordered a Dark Impact from RC Mart and was surprised how fast it got here. I am in the US as well. Maybe have a look there?? In the end it did cost more then it would have from Tower... but at the time RC Mart was the only place that I could find one. Good luck... I am sure he will love whatever you decide to go with! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Killajb 1530 Posted November 25, 2020 Something slow, easy to build and durable would be my vote. Lunchbox/Grasshopper are first thoughts. Both are just that, have loads of character and provide just enough speed to enjoy in different locations without the risk of breaking something (unless one were to go completely bonkers.. which well.. maybe RC's aren't the answer). A bonus with starting off at this level is an appreciation for speed/power available later on. Plenty of ways to upgrade each and learn such things as: with extra speed, the handling becomes more important.. If the interest is still there you can move on to a better chassis like the DT-02, rinse and repeat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TurnipJF 9113 Posted November 25, 2020 Those would be good suggestions for a first model, however since he already has a DT-03, they might be a bit disappointing in the performance department by comparison. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A-Baum 352 Posted November 25, 2020 Think I'm going to go with the Aqroshot. It's the dt-03 chassis which is great because I already have two spare chassis and other parts won't be hard to get if I need them. It's on sale at Tamiyausa and in stock which I can't say for hardly any other kits. It'll take an upgraded 17t motor which I already have so he can get some speed on it without a higher center of gravity like on a lunch box. It's $30 cheaper than the Nissan Titan and while I don't love the aqroshot body, I think it's perfect for a 12 year old. Sleek, aggressive, and fun. And he can paint it and screw it up and I won't care!! But I think he'll love it. Appreciate the info and suggestions, especially the Lunch box. But I have to say once I can easily find a Lunch box, I'll buy it for myself and build it. Never did one before. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mud4fun 1696 Posted November 25, 2020 Good choice @A-Baum my 14 year old daughter has asked Father Xmas for one. She is used to 4WD buggies so it will be a nice change for her to get to grips with a 2WD. She really liked the look of it and she is even more excited about it now after watching TurnipJF's video of it in action along with some more she found on YouTube. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites