Savage RTR vs. SS

[Breakin2]

I'm thinking of picking up a Savage to compliment my MGT. Which Savage is better, overall? I know the SS came with a lot of upgrades from the .21 Savage, but the new .25 Savage seems to have some upgrades over the SS. I know the SS still has some things the RTR doesn't and I would like the experience of building it, however I also know that in the long run the SS would be more expensive since I'd be getting servos too (I already have a good radio system).

Can anyone tell me the pro's and cons? Thanks.

[Maxxcrazy]

One main difference is that the 25RTR has a better fuel tank that doesn't lean out as the fuel level decreases. Its not a nig deal though, it only costs $11

[Freedom]

Rotostart $40.

[lerningdriver]

you will really be better off getting the SS... it's much better than the .25 and it's fun to build, plus, if you allready have a radio system, you dont need the one that comes with the RTR version.

you will actually end up cheaper with the SS.

[MaxxGT23]

The SS has a better pipe but I don't think it comes with a 3 shoe clutch like the rtr. Or does it? anybody?

[kitty]

RTR comes with Roto Start; SS comes with pull-start. RTR has 3-shoe clutch; SS has 2-shoe. RTR has composite pipe; SS has ribbed aluminum tuned pipe. RTR has radio system; SS does not. RTR standard dog bones; SS has HD dog bones (wheels only - center bones are the same). RTR black springs; SS purple springs. Both are the same rate, just a different colour.

I love to build, which is why I went with the SS. Plus, I was able to do some needed mods and hop-ups as I built it (throttle/brake links, servo saver mod, diff mods) and paint the body how I wanted it. The ribbed pipe has more low-end grunt and is about the loudest thing I've heard yet.

Even if you get the RTR, I highly recommend checking all the screws (threadlock on all metal-to-metal screws) to be sure they're all tight and check the needle settings on the engine. There really is no such thing as properly set from the factory.

[lerningdriver]

here, i'll give ya a hand kitty

Savage 21 Savage 25 Savage SS
Engine 21BB Nitro Star S-25 Nitro Star S-25
Tuned Pipe composite, dual composite, dual polished aluminum
chamber chamber ribbed
Starting
System pullstart Roto Start pullstart
Spur Gear 52T 49T 49T
Clutch Bell 14T 15T, 18T 15T, 18T
Clutch Type two shoe three shoe two shoe
Shock
Springs red medium black firm purple firm
w/primer w/o primer w/primer
Fuel Tank front pickup rear pickup front pickup
Body black silver purple red black gray clear
Dogbones updt standard updt standard heavy duty silver

[MaxxGT23]

Hey Kitty, what color/scheme did you paint your body? Just curious.

[kitty]

Thanks =) I was going to just link to the HPI page for the SS, but it was just as easy to list the differences. It is nice, though, to see everything laid out like that for comparison.

I did forget in my last post about the fuel tank. As far as I know, the SS still includes the old .21 style tank with primer. The primer can be removed and the tank sealed, but for about $11, it's a quick swap over to the RTR tank. The RTR (or 25 tank) still has some leaning issues, though at least on mine, it's not a problem. Mine only leans out below 1/8 or more of a tankful, so it's a way of telling me to pit for a refill. That way I don't run out of fuel and I run my engine a little rich anyway, so when it leans out, my temps don't go up that high before I get the truck back to me for a refill.

Heh. I should have said ran my engine a bit rich. Just sent it back to HPI yesterday due to the starter pin spring breaking inside the engine. Whee. I get to break in another engine. No biggie. I've had practice (had just broken in a Force 26 on an Ofna buggy, sold it, bought the Savage and was just a few tanks past break-in on it). Yeah, I'm getting tuning experience pretty fast here :p

[Breakin2]

Thanks for the all the advice. I was leaning HEAVILY towards the SS, but I bid on an
RTR on Ebay and got it for only $365. I figure I couldn't say no to that price.

[MaxxGT23]

It would be hard to beat the feeling of personal satisfaction from building the SS and then picking out a high quality radio of your choice. Also being able to do the fixes to the drivetrain and such as you build. The SS is my choice and I am still saving for one. Right now I am tied up in a makeover (new tires,wheels, wing, and clear body to paint) on my 1/8 buggy. But I haven't forgot about you Savage! :D

[lerningdriver]

Thanks for the all the advice. I was leaning HEAVILY towards the SS, but I bid on an
RTR on Ebay and got it for only $365. I figure I couldn't say no to that price.

NIB or used? 365 is a good price! congrats :cool:

[Breakin2]

Yeah, it's NIB. $365 is the price shipped too. I actually got it for $350 with there being a $15 shipping fee. That's why I couldn't say no.

[cretin]

i got the rtr cause i didn't have a 3 channel radio. got it from tower for $399. can't beat that. the things the rtr lacks are cheaper than the things the ss doesn't have. starting from scratch, i'd suggest the rtr. if you have a radio and such, i'd say get the ss. i took mine apart immediately for the required and desired mods. other than the normal stuff (4 spider, monster pirate steering, servos, brakes), i am also doing a front tank mod with an ofna hyper 9.5 pro rtr fuel tank. no leaning problem and no tank hanging off the side of the truck needing a guard. also scored an xtm .247 pro. never even took the sticker off the top of the stock engine.

[BCat125]

I like the ss better for a few reasons. When you build it you get to learn how the truck goes together. I have a friend who was going to take the whole sideplate off th change the tank mounts and another who thought you had to take the skidplate off to change motors. It has a better pipe and heavy duity dogbones stock.I also feel a little more safe and better about myself driving a truck i put together by myself.

[kitty]

MaxxGT, sorry I missed your question further up. I went with a simple metallic black. It looked great for a few tankfuls.

BCat, I'm with you on driving a truck I put together myself. If I ever buy another RTR (my first RC was) because what I want isn't available in a kit, I will disassemble it and put it back together from the get go. There is no such thing as ready to run in my book, especially with nitros. It never fails that someone at the factory didn't have their two cups of coffee yet and forgot to tighten screws down. I even checked my engine screws before mounting it.

[HPICasper]

Kitty thats funny cause im paintin my body metallic black to :D Almost done but need more paint and will pick some up today

[Nitro41]

Like BCat125 said, I would feel better knowing I built that truck and didnt have to worry about somebody at the factory messing up. I am planning on getting an SS version too. :D

[kitty]

Casper, when you paint it, be sure to use just a few light, even coats of the metallic black. I made the mistake of laying down too many coats and it's hard to tell mine's metallic. I'm guessing you're using rattle cans and probably the same black I used. Be sure to back it with silver, then back that with white. The silver will provide some oomph to bring out the black and the white helps protect the silver from scratching off easily. You can learn a lot dropping in on some of the threads in the painting forum!

[HPICasper]

thanks for the info kitty. Mine actually shines very well but time will tell if it starts to get dull and scratch off. Im not to worried about it since this is my first body i have painted and it will prob be bashed to heck in 3 months :D

[cheerwhiner]

I just bought the RTR 25, I wasn't going to have enough time to build the kit. Anyway, love it so far only go into the first actual driving part of breaking it in. Tomorrow I'll get farther, but I got some school work to finish up and work to go to......... Technically I could work on the truck at work since I work in a hobby shop!

Dude either way I think you'll be happy. The SS does have some better stuff and you will learn more about it with a kit. I've built a kit electric before, it certainly made me understand the vehicle more.

I was going to get a TMaxx but man a Savage is a lot more durable!! I'm not going to be able to sleep thinking about driving it!!!!!!!!!!!

[cretin]

you're gonna find that you will be tearing the truck down to do the mods soon anyway. my buddy barely broke his in when he trashed one of the diffs. i learned from his mistakes and tore mine down immediately for the 4 spider and steering mods, and also to do the threadlock to the tranny. like kitty said, i wouldn't want to run an rtr without tearing it down first.

[minikeg121]

i got my ss for 329 at ultimatehobbies.com that included shipping, so if its still the same price u could save a few bucks by goin that way

[Apltnhkymutt]

i got my ss for 329 at ultimatehobbies.com that included shipping, so if its still the same price u could save a few bucks by goin that way
Thats where i placed my order.. i ordered mine wed. of last week still waiting on it though :(