Advice for First Time RC Car

[museguy 39]

Hi All,

I would like to purchase my first RC car, I would like to spend a total of around $300 (car and controller) for a car capable of starting to race on smooth surfaces and playing off-road. I am from the USA living in Mexico City during COVID-19.

What do you think of the TT-02 for a first build ?

Is the TT-02 better for a first build than the; 

• FF-03 - Front Wheel Drive
• M-05 - Front Wheel Drive
• FF-03 - Front Wheel Drive
• M-03 - Front Wheel Drive

I am from the USA living in Mexico during COVID-19, suggestions for vendors that ship to Mexico City ?

Thank you !

An option (I welcome other suggestions):

• Flysky FS-GT5 $70
• Battery and a charger $40
• Steering Servo $25
• Subaru Impreza 99 Mone Carlo TT-02 $170
• TOTAL $305

 

[BuggyGuy 1139]

None of those are going to be that great off road unfortunately.

Will you be racing at a club?

[SupraChrgd82 1434]

Visit your local hobby shop and ask what brands they stock parts for, then select one of those cars.  The parts availability will reduce downtime if you break anything and make the hobby more enjoyable.

[alvinlwh 7058]

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[alvinlwh 7058]

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[NZJohn 79]

I think if you want to go off road you’ll need to go for a TT02-b. The off road version of this chassis. Plasma Edge. They can be picked up pretty cheaply. 
But start with your local hobby shop. Support local. And with luck, like I found, you’ll get great advice and great pricing. 
 

And get ball bearings 😜

[alvinlwh 7058]

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[TurnipJF 9872]

15 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

Can a TT02 be "hacked" into a rally car like the TT01? Not that I will recommend a first timer doing so though! 

The '02 can be built with high (rally) or standard (on-road) ground clearance with no hacking required. The manual gives clear beginner-friendly instructions on how to do so. 

[alvinlwh 7058]

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[Wooders28 4873]

Nothing that's competitive on road, is very good for off road tbh.

You may be better ,getting a dedicated on road, with a radio with multi model memory, then looking out for a cheapish 2nd hand off road.

[TurnipJF 9872]

On 8/29/2021 at 4:31 PM, museguy said:

Hi All,

I would like to purchase my first RC car, I would like to spend a total of around $300 (car and controller) for a car capable of starting to race on smooth surfaces and playing off-road. I am from the USA living in Mexico City during COVID-19.

What do you think of the TT-02 for a first build ?

Is the TT-02 better for a first build than the; 

• FF-03 - Front Wheel Drive
• M-05 - Front Wheel Drive
• FF-03 - Front Wheel Drive
• M-03 - Front Wheel Drive

 

It may not seem like it, but you appear to be asking quite a lot from the car. Cars that are ideal as first builds are typically quite simple and straightforward, which means that they are typically not the most advanced racing machines out there. And as others have already stated, a car optimised for off-road is quite different to one optimized for on-road and vice versa. Having one car that is both a simple introduction to building, an effective race machine, and capable of good performance on and off-road is asking quite a lot.

The TT-02 is an excellent introduction to building, being pretty straightforward in stock form, and can be a great introduction to racing if raced against cars of similar capabilities in a beginner class or plastic chassis class. However if everybody else is racing high-end carbon chassis cars, it may be quite frustrating. 

It is also a fair rally car, but not typically able to compete against dedicated rally cars such as the xv-01 for example. And if you are considering serious off-road conditions, you might be better off with a buggy or truck.

Comparing it to your other options, in terms of simplicity, it is similar to an M-03, just with more parts. The M-05 is a slightly higher end car, albeit front wheel drive, and the FF-03 is starting to head towards competitive club racer territory, with a lot more adjustability, small parts, and associated build complications.

[BelknapCrater 179]

On 8/29/2021 at 8:31 AM, museguy said:

Hi All,

I would like to purchase my first RC car, I would like to spend a total of around $300 (car and controller) for a car capable of starting to race on smooth surfaces and playing off-road. I am from the USA living in Mexico City during COVID-19.

What do you think of the TT-02 for a first build ?

Is the TT-02 better for a first build than the; 

• FF-03 - Front Wheel Drive
• M-05 - Front Wheel Drive
• FF-03 - Front Wheel Drive
• M-03 - Front Wheel Drive

I am from the USA living in Mexico during COVID-19, suggestions for vendors that ship to Mexico City ?

Thank you !

An option (I welcome other suggestions):

• Flysky FS-GT5 $70
• Battery and a charger $40
• Steering Servo $25
• Subaru Impreza 99 Mone Carlo TT-02 $170
• TOTAL $305

 

If you can dispense with the on-road requirement, an Arrma Senton mega is turn-key, albeit slow. Stretch your budget to $350 and you could get into the BLX with a decent sized lipo. 
Edit: Senton is RTR, no build option, so no fun

[Willy iine 18826]

@museguy I think the TT02 is fine for on and some off road (gravel) driving if your decide on that rally car.  One thing I would add is a stronger steering servo saver, however it might not be a direct drop-in so if you'd like, study that option for down the road.   It will help recenter the servo for your car to track straight after a turn.  Good luck with your choice.  

[museguy 39]

Hi All, 

Thank you for the excellent guidance. 

 

Maybe I am thinking backward, but since I am in Mexico, I am limited to shipping. I cannot find a local RC Hobby Store. 

 

Thinking to buy the Flysky FS-GT5 today.  

 

I contacted Tower Hobbies as you suggested and they do not ship to Mexico, I also contacted Horizon Hobby and they do not ship to Mexico.

 

Thank you

[museguy 39]

23 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

I noticed you did not include ball bearings in your option list, I think that should be essential, not an option. 

As for who ships to Mexico, the usual suspects from Japan do, like Plaza Japan or Hobby Search are the 2 that I use. Factor in maybe another USD 50 for shopping, best order all you need/can at once to minimise this. (don't make the mistake like me forgetting something and placing another order a few days later!) 

Dear @alvinlwh

Thank you for the suggestion. 

I looked and Hobby Search does have several TT-02 cars in stock at 14,000 yen or $127 usd,  I contacted them about shipping costs

1998 Ford Escort Custom (TT-02 Chassis)

Subaru Impreza Monte Carlo `99 (TT-02 Chassis)

RCC Lancia Delta HF Integrale (TT-02) (12,160 yen or $110 usd)

Dual Ridge (TT-02B Chassis) (RC Model) (10,830 yen or 98 usd)

Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune (TT-02D Chassis) Drift Spec (15,010 yen or $136 usd)

Plasma Edge II (TT-02B Chassis) (10,830 or 98 usd)

I need to research the differences between the TT-02, the TT-02B and the TT-02D. As of the moment the Subaru Impreza Monte Carlo `99 (TT-02 Chassis) looks like a good option.

Cheers

 

 

 

[museguy 39]

23 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

I noticed you did not include ball bearings in your option list, I think that should be essential, not an option. 

As for who ships to Mexico, the usual suspects from Japan do, like Plaza Japan or Hobby Search are the 2 that I use. Factor in maybe another USD 50 for shopping, best order all you need/can at once to minimise this. (don't make the mistake like me forgetting something and placing another order a few days later!) 

Dear @alvinlwh

Which ball bearing do you recomend ?

Servo Recommendation ?

Battery and Charger Recommendation ?

Thank you ! Very much appreciated ! 

Cheers

[museguy 39]

2 hours ago, Willy iine said:

@museguy I think the TT02 is fine for on and some off road (gravel) driving if your decide on that rally car.  One thing I would add is a stronger steering servo saver, however it might not be a direct drop-in so if you'd like, study that option for down the road.   It will help recenter the servo for your car to track straight after a turn.  Good luck with your choice.  

Dear @Willy iine

Thank you for the recommendation ! 

Would you please offer suggestions for a servo and a servo saver for the Subaru Impreza Monte Carlo `99 (TT-02 Chassis)

Thank you !

Cheers

[Frog Jumper 3817]

Is this place close to you???

https://roboticarc.com/

[alvinlwh 7058]

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[museguy 39]

8 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

The '02 can be built with high (rally) or standard (on-road) ground clearance with no hacking required. The manual gives clear beginner-friendly instructions on how to do so. 

Thank you @TurnipJF !

Am I correct in thinking that I could use the Subaru Impreza Monte Carlo `99 (TT-02 Chassis) for entry level racing with a change of tires and the standard (on-road) setting and then change to the high (rally) for rough surfaces ?

Cheers ! 

 

[alvinlwh 7058]

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[alvinlwh 7058]

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[BelknapCrater 179]

@museguy

the Fast Eddy bearing kits are ready-made and model specific. Usually 15-20 usd. As far as servos and radios, look into http://hobbyking.com. They sell and shop internationally, and have several inexpensive servo and radio options.

[Willy iine 18826]

49 minutes ago, museguy said:

Dear @Willy iine

Thank you for the recommendation ! 

Would you please offer suggestions for a servo and a servo saver for the Subaru Impreza Monte Carlo `99 (TT-02 Chassis)

Thank you !

Cheers

You're very welcome.   I have been using a very generic no-brand servo sold on Amazon which is in a voilet/reddish color.   They go for $15 each and you should be able to find it if you search "digital 20kg servo".   This is what it looks like.. I usually buy in a 4 pack for less than $50.  While cheap, they work very well and most of my jeeps and trucks run them.

As for the servo saver I usually use Tamiya's #51000. But try your factory servo saver first because the horn shape is different on the 51000 and will require some modification to make it fit.   

 

 

[Dakratfink 1020]

15 minutes ago, Willy iine said:

  I have been using a very generic no-brand servo sold on Amazon which is in a voilet/reddish color.   They go for $15 each and you should be able to find it if you search "digital 20kg servo".   This is what it looks like.. I usually buy in a 4 pack for less than $50.  While cheap, they work very well and most of my jeeps and trucks run them.

I run one of these in a “generic” SCX.10 “clone” crawler. I run it without a saver and have had no problems with it yet.

I’m probably going to invest in a 4 pack soon just for future projects