Where to go from here

So, i bought a new Rustler brushless and am very happy with it. I still want to think stadium trucks are not completely phased out....

Yeah anyway I already want something else. Something different. I plan on racing whenever racing season starts around here. So I don't want to destroy the Rustler.

I like to bash, but I really think I'd like to crawl as well. Funding is somewhat limited at the moment, but I could make a stretch for the right deal.

Let's just say I'm new to the hobby. Should I go with nitro or stay with electric? I've been cautioned to go with LiPo because my young children will be enjoying the hobby with me as well and apparently there's some sort of issue with them catching on fire?? So I'm fine, for now with NiMh. What's the cost involved for running nitro every weekend?

I've been watching youtube and the guys with the Savages look like they're having way too much fun. But on the other hand, I grew up with low-speed four wheeling and I think it would be fun to have a crawler.

For the next couple of years, I won't be buying any other rigs. I would like to take advantage of my current monetary situation and buy something of decent quality, but not be fixing every weekend. I don't plan on upgrading like crazy. Fix it when it breaks.

It seems there are some great deals on Craigslist right now, but I'm just not sure the direction I want to take. I've been researching like crazy trying to figure out what upgrades do what to which car, cost, and etc.

What do you guys think? Anyone out there that is or was in my general situation? Any direction, or questions I need to ask myself would be greatly appreciated. Car considerations? Used is ok with me, I found a lot of help online for buying used cars.

Sorry for the novel!

-Joe

Hi Joe,
40+ years ago, I was into slot cars.
Last year I purchased a Traxxas Slash 4x4 (TRA6808).
So, I'm really new to this generation of the hobby.


I chose the Slash 4x4 for the following reasons:

• Electric power - quieter, cleaner and easier
• Waterproof - if the water can't get in, neither will the dirt.
• Ready to Run - came with everything needed including battery and charger
• 2.4ghz Radio - no crystals to deal with and no crossed transmissions
• Almost everyone carries parts - stock parts arn't too expensive
• 1/10 scale Short Course Truck - modeled after the TORC series full size trucks
• 4WD - where I run the surface is loose

Beware the hobby addiction.
I gave my brother-in-law grief about how he has collected nearly two dozen aircraft in just the 2 years he's been in the hobby.
And now, (after the recent swap meet) I have 2 - 4x4's, 2 - 2wd's, 1 - crawler (basket case), 1 - nano size Helicopter and 1 - TriCopter (project) on my workbench.

For bashing, high and low speed, cheep fun-take a look a Traxxas 1/16 brushless E-REVO and Summit VXL's-there is also a 1/16 slash (I haven't seen in person).You can run one or two Batterys,they are LIPO compatable,the vehicles are somewhat waterproof ( not the radio though),they are 4wd and have optional center diff's.,parts are pretty cheap,and available at most hobby shops.I let a 9 year old run mine w/ no worries,and have put 1/10 scale wheels and sand paddles on it and ran it in the sand too. LIPO's are cheap,and run times are crazy-You can find them used , in good condition, for around $160.00 to $225.00...did I say they were fast too-they are fast ...I love the hunt!=happy hunting!  8)

I think if you want to race you will get the most mileage from a electric 4WD Short Course truck.  These are raced a lot and have good handling characteristics.  There is also some great trucks to choose from like the Traxxas Slash 4x4, the Team Associated SC10 4x4 and my favorite the OFNA Hyper 10SC.  The Slash and Team Associated SC10 have terrific third party aftermarket parts available for just about anything you could want to hop-up.

I think you will also do better to go with electric, especially if you want to do any after work running around your back yard or neighborhood streets because they are quiet and won't give anyone cause to complain.

Regarding the LiPo matter, I suppose nowadays you are almost as likely to have a fire with a nitro rig and/or fuel as you are with a LiPo battery.  Sure there are a lot of horror stories out there, but read this forum and what experiences our members have with LiPo and you will find out that you have to almost abuse a LiPo to get it to catch fire.  However if you are nervous about LiPo you can use NIMH batteries and get some excellent results.

If you are also interested i crawling I would advise you to get a second model specifically for crawling and stay away from hybrid products like the Traxxas Summit, although if budget does not allow one to have a dedicated crawler and race vehicle a Traxxas Summit is a great truck.  We own one and it is a lot of fun.  We have some guys on this forum who have been crawling for a long time and have some amazing trucks.  Check out the crawler forum and see some of their trucks and chat with them for some good advise and tips.

I purposely did not buy a Slash or STC. I had the funding and availability. It's just not my style. Maybe in the future, but for now I like and purposely purchased a stadium truck.

New question. In my research, the Wheely King stands out as a do-all truck. Some minor mods, and you have either a crawler, or a basher. What do ya'll think about this?

Maybe an Axial Wraith would fit the bill, although a bit pricey initially for my budget.

I don't want a summit. I've seen some cool vids, but once again, not my style. I do like crawlers for the ability to stay in your house and play. Not have to worry about going somewhere. I'm not afraid to make my own mods either. I figure I'll waterproof the hell out of everything so i can run in mud and water.

Thanks for all the responses so far by the way. Great, useful info. Keep em comin.

Big Joe: any consideration twards a truggy?

Although I've heard talk of those, I don't know what they actually are. I have not even googled it yet! So.....maybe?

................like a 4wd stadium truck on steroids -----please research (2.4GHz radios) in RTR's,they run off of 4 batts,instead of 8,and don't glitch like the old stuff-They are pretty much the standard now-and do so much more,for the same coin.=happy hunting.  -------------------------no input on the wheely king,other than I think you can do better, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Here is the Truggy on OFNA's website with some additional photos:

80%:
http://ofna.com/hyper10tt.php

RTR:
http://ofna.com/hyper10tteRTR.php

Found this also:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhIxQXeP9As[/youtube]

You get a lotfor your coin with a wraith.out of the box they haul ballz and crawl descent.change to a 12 tooth pinion and they crawl goodloose a lil top end but not enough to worry bout.they look sik.are durable.have great aftermarket support.and the skys the limmit on custmizeation..in my opinion..

Wraiths are badass, get a wraith, get the aluminum knuckles,C'S and steering links and its unbeatable, very solid out of the box and pretty fast, def gear it down a bit for an all around crawler/jumper/basher.....anything axial  is a solid rig even the rtrs have good electronics and are very durable.

If you are looking at a truggy a 1/10th scale is a bad example in my opinion.  I would go Losi or Mugen for that, Look at this one.  http://www.losi.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0085

I think we got off topic here. I think I'm after a 4x4 monster truck. Whether it's nitro or elec.  But thanks for all the truggy info, I'll keep it in mind

BigJoe= sorry,it was the coffee talking ...it makes me want 2 of everything..."'nother coffee please  ;D "

I've got a fairly nice Revo 3.3 which falls into the monster truck category that I will either sell or trade off.  Comes with enough spares to keep it going for a while also.

I'll keep it in mind. Don't wait for me if you get any offers. 

Not waiting for anyone, it's literally just sitting next to me in my office doing nothing, not in need to sell it but your welcome to make offers.