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Help! Looking For Decent Entry Level RC Car

monkeyswrench

monkeyswrench

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Ok, Here's the deal. Older son was invited to a deal with some others that are doing an RC car meet up.
I don't know squat about them!
I can't go with the "go big or go home" setup, but want to find something decent. What's out there? This is where I get all my information it seems 🤣
 
Boat 405

Boat 405

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I just went down this path with my son. We bought him an Associated RB10. It's a blast. I bought myself an associated B74.2 and we go the the local track on sundays where we have fun for 3-4 hours. My son is 6 and loves it. It's fast enough to do what we want to do. Good batteries and charger and tires for our clay track. It's pretty durable. I did have to redo the seals on the shocks as it had leaked the fluid out by the time we unboxed it. It's a all assembled ready to go kit. FYI. $300 and you are going

RB10 Ready-To-Run

60years.associatedelectrics.com
 
ChrisV

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find used on facebook market. How much you trying to spend? Are the playing in the parking lot? Local track? Off road? On road?

I'm in it pretty hard right now haha
IMG_4657.jpeg
 
J

JUSTWANNARACE

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What terrain?
If you are interested in used i can see if my brother wants to get rid of one of his. Hebas a few of the brushless shit he hasn't touched in years. The last one he built wasn't even fun to drive unless it was on 1 or 2. On 5 it would flip over as soon as I hit the throttle. I was more of a nitro guy. My last was a Traxxas Revo. Fun truck and could get parts at the hobbies shop when I broke shit, which was often.
 
monkeyswrench

monkeyswrench

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Well, I know "dirt"...I think it's just a screw around kind of deal. What I'm realizing quickly, is why I never got into these things. By the time I was able to afford one, I was putting gas in a car, and spending money on cams and intakes :oops:
FlyByWire said:
This is the answer. I managed a Hobby People store for a couple years, and traxxas is great for any entry level RTR car.
Click to expand...
Dude, how many different types of jobs you had?!
 
bagged97taco

bagged97taco

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My kid has the aarma senton 4x4 and beats the crap out of it. Still alive. Hobby shop nerd was going crazy that this truck was going to a little kid. R/c cars are worse than boats just an fyi. They make absolutely everything aftermarket for them. Don’t fall into the trap
 
Orange Juice

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monkeyswrench

monkeyswrench

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4Waters said:
I think he has enough property to build a nice track as well
Click to expand...
Having property doesn't mean I have money! F' me, that thing is a trophy truck for a Smurf! AND, that's twice what I paid for my daughter's first car...and I drove it home.
Think I'm gonna look around for a used Traxxas deal. If he gets interested in the stuff, well, you only need one kidney, right?
 
4Waters

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monkeyswrench said:
Having property doesn't mean I have money! F' me, that thing is a trophy truck for a Smurf! AND, that's twice what I paid for my daughter's first car...and I drove it home.
Think I'm gonna look around for a used Traxxas deal. If he gets interested in the stuff, well, you only need one kidney, right?
Click to expand...
You don't need that one, I don't understand the want of a light kit on an RC car. I wasn't implying that you had money, just pointing out that you could have a killer track. My buddy has a track in his backyard
 
attitude

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monkeyswrench said:
Having property doesn't mean I have money! F' me, that thing is a trophy truck for a Smurf! AND, that's twice what I paid for my daughter's first car...and I drove it home.
Think I'm gonna look around for a used Traxxas deal. If he gets interested in the stuff, well, you only need one kidney, right?
Click to expand...
Your son doesn’t need a UDR (they are sick though) A Slash 4x4 will be just fine. He will need a battery and charger.

If you want to go this route let me know and I will find you a cheap better and charger that will work for the car, the Traxxas branded accessories are over priced.

P.S. a used car is fine too!

Slash 4X4 VXL | Brushless Short Course RC Truck | Traxxas

Traxxas Slash® 4X4 sets the standard for durability, performance, and technology in the 1/10 scale short course truck segment. Innovative features like Traxxas Stability Management®, modular chassis design, and ultra-efficient shaft drive complement Slash’s track-tested precision and rock-solid...
m.traxxas.com
 
monkeyswrench

monkeyswrench

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4Waters said:
You don't need that one, I don't understand the want of a light kit on an RC car. I wasn't implying that you had money, just pointing out that you could have a killer track. My buddy has a track in his backyard
Click to expand...
We had a dirtbike/BMX track before, when the kids were on 50's. I really had no clue what RC stuff went for, so it's a bit of a shocker. That trophy truck is really cool though...and I guess the light kit is just a "Why not?" deal.
 
F

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My sons (8 and 5) have Traxxas cars. A couple of TRX's for crawling and running into stuff, a Slash 4x4 brushless, and a Raptor R. The brushless cars have been excellent motor wise, the brushed trucks have gone thru quite a few motors. Super tough, and the few weak spots are easily fixed with aftermarket parts. Get used to prepping them. The slash platform is really user friendly. 4 screws and the entire front or rear clip is off and easy to work on. Buy the upgraded rear drive bearing carrier and keep complete CV axles and spur gear assembly's on hand. We also have a few 24 scale Traxxas Bronco's. Tons of fun to build little courses with, and good for the evenings when camping because they are QUIET and too slow to make dust clouds.
The Slash is the most used by far. The slower cars normally get driven while I am fixing the fast ones.
I like the Traxxas charger. Its automatic and one button start. Many of the Lion chargers are more complex to set up and use.
 
7

77charger

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I’d say traxxas. Pretty indestructible come ready to run and parts all over for them.

Now if serious about racing then there’s other choices but overall use they are hard to beat.
 
JFMFG

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attitude said:
Your son doesn’t need a UDR (they are sick though) A Slash 4x4 will be just fine. He will need a battery and charger.

If you want to go this route let me know and I will find you a cheap better and charger that will work for the car, the Traxxas branded accessories are over priced.

P.S. a used car is fine too!

Slash 4X4 VXL | Brushless Short Course RC Truck | Traxxas

Traxxas Slash® 4X4 sets the standard for durability, performance, and technology in the 1/10 scale short course truck segment. Innovative features like Traxxas Stability Management®, modular chassis design, and ultra-efficient shaft drive complement Slash’s track-tested precision and rock-solid...
m.traxxas.com
Click to expand...
My son has this one. It’s perfect
 
Badchoices03

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yz450mm said:
View attachment 1506370
Just do it, it's way cooler than you can even imagine. View attachment 1506371 View attachment 1506372
Click to expand...

Don't do this....this truck is a POS for bashing around....great truck for scale realism, but breaks shit wayyyy to often....I agree with what was mentioned above, I would stick with Traxxas....they have the best support of dealers, parts, etc...you can't go wrong with a Slash...I would recommend you stay away from anything with a brushed motor and go with something brushless...LIPO batteries is what is going to get you, but you dont have to get Traxxas brand, Amazon has some great choices for a lot less....

I have a bit of a collection, this is my RC shelf in my office, plus I have a few more in the garage that I havent cleaned up yet to bring in...

pic.jpg
 
Bowtiepower00

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Get him a kit so he gets the full experience. I’m from the old school days before RTR cars. Hard to go wrong with Traxxas. Associated and Losi are also good options. I’m not to familiar with the newer brands.

Slash BL-2s Kit | 2WD Brushless Short Course RC Truck | Traxxas

Traxxas Slash® puts you in the driver’s seat for intense fender-to-fender short course racing action at the track, or in your own backyard. Slash’s all-new BL-2s™ brushless power system delivers effortless power for all-day fun with a more responsive throttle and powerful acceleration. In...
m.traxxas.com

Around $300, perhaps a bit cheaper on sale. Try to find a local hobby shop to support if you have one in your area.

If you’re looking for the most car for your money find something used for half the price. Your local hobby shop might have a couple, some have a bulletin board for classifieds where people post used cars for sale.

Try to find out what his buddies are running so he gets something similar, they could have monster trucks, short course trucks, or anything in-between.
 
Badchoices03

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4Waters said:
You don't need that one, I don't understand the want of a light kit on an RC car. I wasn't implying that you had money, just pointing out that you could have a killer track. My buddy has a track in his backyard
Click to expand...

I actually drive my UDR at night when we are camping in the desert....its really cool with the lights...
 
dspracing

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I've got a slash 4x4 and I got my son an Arma Grom. It's great for him(5 y/o) and it's fun to drive but IMO it's too small/underpowered to have a ton of fun with in the desert.
 
4Waters

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FlyByWire said:
Retail, credit, truck driver, credit, cop. In that order. 😂
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Truck driver? Traitor 🤣🤣

At least you understand the stupid shit truck drivers have to deal with on the road. Are you a rarity going from truck driver to CHP or is it somewhat common
 
FlyByWire

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4Waters said:
Truck driver? Traitor 🤣🤣

At least you understand the stupid shit truck drivers have to deal with on the road. Are you a rarity going from truck driver to CHP or is it somewhat common
Click to expand...

I’ve worked with a couple other guys that were CDL drivers in the past. But the industry has changed a TON in the 20 years since I drove truck.
 
4Waters

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FlyByWire said:
I’ve worked with a couple other guys that were CDL drivers in the past. But the industry has changed a TON in the 20 years since I drove truck.
Click to expand...
I constantly see guys driving in the 1 or 2 lane and sometimes in the carpool lane while I sit in one of the 2 right lanes. Actually I do get in the 2 lane on the N 110 at the 10 to avoid the insane crossing of cars that are on the 110 and want the 10 and vise versa, professional truck drivers are for the most part gone.

Sorry if these pics get you all hot and bothered 🤣

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wayniac

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I say traxxas slash 2wd as well. I bought these so my son and I could tool around. You are more than welcome to come grab mine so you guys can try it out. Might help you on your decision.
 
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Another vote for Traxxas Slash. I have the 4x4 and you can take it at full speed into a curb and there’s no damage.

If you’re buying one for your son, you better get two because you’ll want one. You’ll both be fighting over just one.

Get an extra battery so you can drive the car when the dead battery is charging. If you have two cars you’ll need four battery’s.

Get what’s coming? I've thrown so much money at mine, but damn I’ve so much fun with them.
 
monkeyswrench

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@Ziggy , damn :oops: I remember seeing those things in high school. That would be cool, but they are a bit too loud for this particular group.
There are a few variables at play. I think I may have found an option from an inmate though.
 
Ziggy

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monkeyswrench said:
@Ziggy , damn :oops: I remember seeing those things in high school. That would be cool, but they are a bit too loud for this particular group.
There are a few variables at play. I think I may have found an option from an inmate though.
Click to expand...
If noise is an issue then stick with the tesla & rivian options😁😎
Thought I'd just throw the offer out there for ya, you seem more like a motorhead than electrician.🤣
 
lbhsbz

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This could get dangerous....

I had some R/C10s as a kid and had fun with 'em.

I was board one weekend about 10 years ago, so swung buy this little privately owned hobby shop and bought an ECX Torment (2WD truck thing). Brushed, shitty, but sorta cool. Spent the next 3 days at work researching upgrades and bought some stupid brushless motor that had no business on this thing, a pile of 3S or 4S lipos, a 120A speed controller, new radio, new shocks, new uprights, a few extra sets of rear tires/wheels, new everything....lol

It was stupid. On the rare occassion that it didn't rip the tires off the wheels or tear the sidewalls out of the tires if I did a better just glueing them on, it would blow over before I could get to "full throttle". I added some body vents to try to alleviate this and it worked, then got a bit out of shape hitting a crack in the street and ended up "coming in contact" with the rear tire of my chevy which happened to be parked in the street....I cleaned up the pieces with a dust pan and a broom lol.

That being said, I have spent more money for less fun before, so I'd still recommend it as a hobby lol.

If I do it again I'll simply buy a whole spare car and buy 2 of every upgrade part....so I'm never down for more than 10 minutes or so. That's the biggest problem (for me)....break something, tear it down to survey the damage....find parts not immediately available so I have to order them, put the car on the shelf while waiting for parts.....when parts show up, I don't have time to repair so put them somewhere, then lose them, then order more, then by the time those show up I've lost interest for the time being, then it all goes in the trash in 6 months after just sitting there.
 
H

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We have a bunch of RC stuff (Arrma and Traxxas) and Arrma is currently better built and more durable, but Traxxas has a lot more parts readily available.

I'm not sure how old your child is but a brushed motor would be fine for a youngster. I would definitely get 4wd though.
 
I

island time

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Arrma. We have 3 of the stadium trucks. 4wd. 60mph. Had very little issues with them. Affordable and easy to get parts.
I did I bunch of research and was going to get a traxxas. After I went to a few hobby shops they all said the same. Arrma is cheaper and better.
 
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