T-Maxx or HPI Savage????

[dougsterner]

I currently have a T-Maxx but I want a new truck. My Maxx is one of the originals that I upgraded with the 2.5 and suspension but I want a brand spankin new truck. Maybe I'll sell this one or let my kids run it.

My question is....

which is better out of the box? The HPI Savage or the T-Maxx? I just run for fun on a track I built in my backyard with some of the local guys and (since I am a high school teacher) some of the local high school kids. What a great topic of conversation a T-maxx is sitting on the teacher's desk :-)

When I got mine the Savage was not available but now seeing the Savage SS out there it's got me thinking. I know HPI makes some quality stuff and I like the looks of their Roto starter. ALso I have heard that the HPI engines are a bit less finicky than the Traxxas units in terms of tuning.

Any pros or cons????

Thanks guys!!!!

[nitroburner9248]

i think that since you already have a maxx you should get the savage or the ae mgt. They are both great big-block trucks. I would say to go with the ae mgt since it is very durable, powerfull, and well-setup

[nascarfreak88]

yeah, i would get the savage. i have a t-maxx gen2 and i like it and all, its a great truck, but sometimes i wish i something different to run besides my maxx......

[dougsterner]

I appreciate the 2 replies guys but WHY should I get something other than a Maxx???

I mean my other one is basically stock. The ojnly upgrades are:
TRX 2.5, WideMaxx suspension, Big Bores, aluminum skids, upgraded servos, RC Raven Rollcage and RPM bumpers

How reliable and easy to tune are the Savage and MOnster GT? I know my Maxx is a little finisky at times.

ANy help is appreciated.

[nascarfreak88]

WHY?

What the point in having two of the same trucks??? why not just put $400-$500 bucks into your current maxx?

as far a the Savage goes, i have driven a couple, if i was to get another MT, that would be on the list to look at. It had a nice plush syspension, it jumped really well too. as far a tuning goes, i have had any problems when i was running it (keep in mind that it wasnt mine, but a buudies). he had some minor tuning problem with it (was his first nitro). the only thing i missed was the wheelies, i tried, but coulndt get it to do it stock. now i've seen some that a couple of dudes were runnin in the parking lot that were doing them all the way across the parking lot.

[spikevyxel]

I know from Experiance you cant JUST put 400-500 into a T-maxx.

It adds up.

Dont get the MGT. Its built solid but the engine is WEAK.

get either the Savage 25 or the Savage SS

The reason being...

that they are great trucks.
They are fast, durable, and Tons of fun.
HPI's Savage is a very popular car for a reason.

Now dont interpret this post as bias, because i have a .24 T-maxx, However i have friends who have both the MGT and the Savage SS.

I hope it helped

[dougsterner]

I have been doing some research and does anyone have a clue why HPI did what they did with the Savage 25 and the SS?

I mean they use the same engine but the 25 has a 3 shoe clutch while the SS has a 2 shoe. The 25 has the RotoStart sytem but the SS is a pull start.

The 25 has a prepainted body but the SS is clear.

The 25 has black springs while the SS has purple.

Any ideas? I have a Futaba Mag Sr 3 channel radio with all of the needed servos so I'd like the SS version but the 3 shoe clutch and RotoStart are options I'd like as well.

Any idea what gives???

Thanks again guys!!!!!

Doug Sterner
NE PA's unoffical RC Freak!!!!

[MikeWz]

Originally posted by spikevyxel
Dont get the MGT. Its built solid but the engine is WEAK.


Spike-What makes you say the engine is weak? My MGT goes just as fast as any of the Savage 25s I've been running with. And the MGT is heavier. It's got plenty of power. Don't get me wrong the savage is a great truck, but seeing that the engine is bigger don't you think it should be faster? HPI doesn't exactly have the best reputation in engine making. TT engines aren't exactly power houses themselves but they do seem to be a bit better in my experience (And I run them in my Heli and plane as well).

Doug-Don't rule out the MGT (or the savage for that matter). Compare them side by side and just see which is more of what you're looking for. The MGT is bigger yet still nible, the savage is a bit lighter and will probably fly a bit farther, the MGT has reverse, the savage has a few more after market parts.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with another maxx. At this point it'll be the same as the maxx you have now. You already have the wide-maxx and the 2.5. There's nothing much new on the newer ones

[dougsterner]

Again just looking at options here guys. The "local hobby shop" (well if you can call it local...is 30 min away still local??) is big on Ofna and kind of snubs the others so I'll be dealing again with the Internet folks for parts etc.

Thanks to all!!!!

The Savage is looking real good right now.

How much better is the 25 than the 21? I mean there are some sweet deals on NIB 21's on ebay etc...hmmm.....


Doug Sterner
NE PA's Unofficial RC Freak!!!

[spikevyxel]

MikeWz - I wasnt saying that the MGT is a fun car, or that it not fast. However i personally think that Team Assoc. should have put .26 in it. That thing is a beast. I really like the design , but the engine is where i think it fails.

Doug - What a question. The 25 is much better, considering the price. Huge engine, 40+MPH, More HP(2.5 to be exact), Much more RPMS(39,000), Winning design(its the 2nd Gen.)
Its just all around best car for bashing. The Freakin shocks are 7 inches. :eek:


I havent checked the prices on ebay but if they are like 150 dollars less then id buy the 21 but the 25 is much better.

[chrisAtmaxx]

heres what i would do. get the cheapest new savage .21 on ebay then buy a picco .26 or a xtm .247 and sit in a lawn chair and rip apart your back yard:D

[kitty]

Doug, if you like to build, the SS is definitely the ticket. One other difference I can think of right off is that the SS comes with better bones and the .21 version fuel tank that tends to lean out at half full. I somehow managed to get the updated RTR/.25 tank from Tower when they got a few in stock recently. They are backordered just about everywhere, and for a reason. The newer design is much better.

I did a lot of research before deciding on the SS. It came down to a Savage or a Dominator at first. The Savage won due to ground clearance. The SS won over the RTR because I like to wrench and upgrade as I build.

As for the engine, they can be just as finicky as any other. I haven't broken mine in yet, but it came with a huge, anodised aluminum head that I'm sure will stay cooler than the Force .25 I had on my MBX Pro (though I'd swear they're nearly the same engine other than the stamp on the block, the head and the placement of the low speed needle).

Whichever truck you decide to get, check the prices at Ultimate Hobbies (http://www.ultimatehobbies.com). I bought my SS from them for $329.95 shipped (free shipping on orders over $50 for December). I got mine pretty fast and they're great with communication.

Best wishes to ya!
kitty

<edit>
Oops. You asked which is better out of the box. In my opinion, the Savage is. I've read numerous accounts of people having tranny problems (not holding up to the demands of the engine) with the Maxx.
</edit>

[majikmike]

All these's trucks are very good, each one is going to have something better then the other. It all depends on what options the truck has that you like. I have a 2.5Maxx and am looking at getting the Dynamite .26 conversion kit. I've thought about getting a new truck but to me there is just so much out there for the Maxx it's insane. Theres also more then just the AE and HPI trucks too. Losi is coming out with a truck soon also. Be patient and see what else comes out. In all any truck you pick now a days will be good.