What do you guys think of the HPI Savage 5T?

[KevinH]

87453

I hope to see it run this weekend at the World Finals.

[rccardude04]

Fail.

I'm hoping for a 5th scale savage, but instead it's a long savage XL with a Baja 5T body on it.

I don't see this working well. It might be fast, but come on ... Nitro on big scale?

Brushless conversion could be cool though.... You could fit 25,000mAh 6s on this beast. :D

-Eric

[dale gribble]

I have a negative predisposition about this truck. True, I own a 5T so that might be a part of it. However, I think it is because the pure and simple truth that the Savage 5T came from HPI's marketing department and not their engineering department. We all know that HPI makes some of the best products out there, bar none. This product is obviously a compromise.

I am also curious how marketing came to the conclusion that this would be a good product offering. This is all I can imagine-

"It gives enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy 1/5 scale at a cheaper price"

My rebuttal- This isn't 1/5 scale. 1/5 scale is scale sized 1/5 scale (not 1/8 scale) with the power, drivetrain and strength to match. I think people that use this as a 1/5 scale entry have no idea what 1/5 scale is all about.

Converted 1/8 scale nitro with 1/5 scale body does not equal 1/5 scale. I think the Savage 5T is going to be relatively expensive (~$500-$600 retail RTR), so it's right in between 1/8 and 1/5 scale pricewise and IMO this isn't a great place to be. I also think 1/8 scale owners are going to get sticker shock when they need a new $175 body and $50/pr tires.

Huge HPI fan, but "thanks but no thanks" on this one guys... My only hope is that this lowers the 5T body prices due to higher volume.

[bullett1818]

Bleh! I saw the vid's online of it and it's just too sluggish! The $175 body doesnt even fit right. I do not see it doing well. Seems to me like HPI over rushed this one jsut to get into the shourt course scene.

-Bob-

[MattHiggins]

Wow, I'm surprised about the reactions. I will, call me crazy, reserve real judgement until I run one. I do, however, like the concept. I also love the idea of going electric. As far as being sluggish, I think most large scale fits that bill compared to 1/10 and 1/8 scale. I like 4WD and the proven Savage suspension. To me, it has what it takes to be a winner.

[rccardude04]

But the 36 leans out like crazy when you turn right, and goes crazy rich when you turn right.

Even the Savage XL is annoying for me to drive. It just doesn't work well. The engine does not like the side-mount fuel tank. At least on the 5T here, we can move the tank where we want it...

-Eric

[MrCrash]

Meh. If I wanted a 5T, I'd buy the real thing. This is like slapping SS decals on a base model cobalt. It only makes it cool to people who don't know better.

[watercooledvw]

nothing beats the real hpi 5t