Good car for the 8-9 year old

[wcarrothers]

I know probably not a great first question.. But I've been out of the hobby (now a parent) for a long time. Had probably 10 cars back in the day, hornet was my first. Followed by a hotshot, optoma, bruser, RC10, attack, RC500.... Sad thing is only thing left from my collection is some scattered parts and the rolling shell of my dad's RC10 (mint though as it was never run)..hehe

Now I find in the possition I could buy what ever I want (but for my kid of course) .. knowing what I want would probalby not be right for the first timer I'm looking for some suggestions..

b

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

ok, If you're looking for off-road.
i would recomend Traxxas's low cost trucks.
either, there rustler, stampede, or slash

if you're looking for a kit whereyourkid is going to build it. i cant think of anything mostly everything is RTR a.k.a Ready to run.
but, if you're looking for a pre-built truck look into traxxas.

ther is also some other companys out there, Hpi, tamyia, losi....
losi also has some fun things.
like, there 1/18 series fun. but lately they having been up to date with durabuilty they have some problems now. i guess you can say there not as great as they used to be.

hope i helped... but i bet someone else will recomend something else.

Ps welcome to the forums

[rccardude04]

Xray pretty much has it covered! Rustler/Stampede/Bandit/Slash, whichever one he likes the best. They're pretty close in performance. The slash would be the hardest to drive but most likely the most durable. Stampede is probably the most offroad capable, and the Rustler/Bandit are just kinda there. They'd be better later on if he wanted to go 60-80 miles an hour, but until then I like the other two better.

-Eric

[wcarrothers]

Yep I know it is a loaded question over all.. Seems a lot are RTR now (sorta imaging RTR takes some of the fun (building) that I remember as being part of getting the car/truck... Trying to get my mind around things like not actually having to fill your shocks with oil and other build steps..

On another note..hehe I'm interested in going 80..hehe although I'm not sure I'm interested in him going 80.. remember doing it when I got the 4WD and 2spd upgrade to my RC500. And that was flying..

b.

[wcarrothers]

The brushless motors that look like they are getting more main streem seem intersting. I was doing some flying years ago (indoor Zagii, light and park fliers) 6 -7 years ago but think I got out of that around the same time people started showing up with brushless.

Seems that takes you another step toward hands off (ie not having to change or maintain brushes would be strange)... but wondering good or bad. Seems if something went wrong you would not have much room for troubleshooting.. (I having mechanical speed controllers back in the day.. Actually I was cutting edge for a while as a kid being one of the first with an electronic speed control (though can't remember the brand name).. Course became the kid who could no longer back up..hehe

b.

[ClodDude]

Welcome back fellow old-timer! :)

My first RC vehicle was a Sand Scorcher when it was sold new, so I can recall the time period you're talking about. I wanted to get the RC500, but didn't have the engine knowledge or a good place to run it back then. Came very close to getting the RC250 (?) since it was so cheap.

I'd agree with the others...get your son something RTR first (the 1/18 was also a good suggestion). It's almost like a real car...he'll most likely bang up the first one, so no need to get a nice one. ;)

As for brushless, it's the new tech and is even replacing nitro engines in 1/8 buggies (it's that good and powerful). But it's like everything else though...as it gets more high tech, the ability of the average person to fix it is gone. Funny when you think that the motors in RC cars haven't really changed until recently (keep in mind Tamiya is still packaging essentially the same RS540 motors in their new kits...30+ years now).

Good luck good dad! :)

[terrible-t]

I started my kid with Team Associated. A good start for him, and durable. He is 7 years old. Still too young to keep him off the guardrails. They still like to crash them. Back in th 80's what got me started was RC10, the gold tub.

HPI I'll probably try, cheaper ones. then Associated, to losi. Xray too much $$$ for the kid, or if you're interested!!! lol!!! Xray more in the advanced RC'er. Wait till he understands the intricuit adjustment on the chassis.

Good Luck! If the kid is not interested in Soccer!!! or Baseball lol!!!

[wcarrothers]

Actually he is a travel hockey player so he is pretty rough.. No soccer or baseball for us...

Yep I've got an empty gold tub RC 10 that basicly does not have a scratch on it. considered just getting a lid and electronics for it and letting him go with that. But of course costing out doing something like that vs buying something new. Well you know which wins that race...

Name of the electronic speed control came to mind was called a NOVAK I think..

b.

[ClodDude]

If your kid is up for it, why not buy one of the Tamiya re-releases? They re-re'd the Hornet and may even have a re-re of the Hot Shot (that would be too cool). You and him can build it together and run it together.

BTW - my second vehicle was a gold tub RC10...I was surprised that one had to learn to solder to put the mechanical wiper arm speed control together (luckily I was one of the few kids my age with those skills and tools back then). Still got it in my basement somewhere. :)

[terrible-t]

If your kid is up for it, why not buy one of the Tamiya re-releases? They re-re'd the Hornet and may even have a re-re of the Hot Shot (that would be too cool). You and him can build it together and run it together.

BTW - my second vehicle was a gold tub RC10...I was surprised that one had to learn to solder to put the mechanical wiper arm speed control together (luckily I was one of the few kids my age with those skills and tools back then). Still got it in my basement somewhere. :)

Actually he is a travel hockey player so he is pretty rough.. No soccer or baseball for us...

Yep I've got an empty gold tub RC 10 that basicly does not have a scratch on it. considered just getting a lid and electronics for it and letting him go with that. But of course costing out doing something like that vs buying something new. Well you know which wins that race...

Name of the electronic speed control came to mind was called a NOVAK I think..

b.

Wiper were a pain in the okolie!!!! Glad we're not it that era anymore!!!

Still Novak, Tekins, and LRP are good ESC. Brushless motors are the times instead of brushed motors, Last longer. And also lipo's the fad now then NiMh's. RC10 came along wayfrom the 80's, parts are the problem. But still a starter for your kid. My nephew is running it with a Tekins R1Pro, little less than the RSPro, w/Redline 290. The way he's going he'll probable graduate to the RSPro and 2.5KV Redline in about a month.

[st_dragn_wagen]

If your kid is up for it, why not buy one of the Tamiya re-releases? They re-re'd the Hornet and may even have a re-re of the Hot Shot (that would be too cool). You and him can build it together and run it together.


i second that notion. let yourself flashback to the good ol’ days and still keep the kid happy, entertained and out of trouble

[88Buckaroo88]

I'd highly recommend a Traxxas Nitro Sport or a Traxxas Rustler. Both are great trucks for the price, simple, easy to use and maintain, theres upgrades for down the road and replacement parts are redily available at almost every hobby shop.

[wcarrothers]

All great suggestions... if I got something super great I'd be getting it for my self rather then keeping things in prospective. And doubt he would let me drive nor know the difference between something great and a great hornet. or hot shot.. If I had to pick a favorite 4wd would be my kyosho (sp?) optoma (chain drive) then perhaps my RC10. But that said I probably put more miles on the hornet and hotshot when I got them. Down side is the local places don't seem to stock the tamiya stuff..

b

[rccardude04]

LOL Nobody's local places stock Tamiya stuff.

I got a TB03 to do some lightweight racing this winter, and even our distributors don't carry parts. It's unbelievably irritating waiting 2 months for parts that really ought to be in stock somewhere in the US...

-Eric

[generis]

my boy is a slash man, my daughter a stampede girl. Both are perfect for them

[tadium54]

get a slash and buy a silver can johnson 540 motor. less power(atleast for now) and get a decent lipo pack. you'll be running forever with a setup like that

[generis]

funny, that's exactly what I did to the kids one. The titans didn't last well being stalled out all the time!

[wcarrothers]

Probably leaning toward a slash I think seeing it's local. standard 540 + lipo pack is a good idea..

Although saw the video of the 2010 slash 4wd and thing that is super cool looking but think it said they would not be out till Dec.. need something mid nov for birthday..

Only down side is my charger (super nova) I got back when I was flying is only good for Nicad and nimh... Course best to have a charger that can be plugged in to the wall.

b.

[tadium54]

if your supernova is a dc only charger and its decent(adjustable amps, digital display, etc), find a power supply and use it to power the slashs batteries for now. if he really likes it, look at getting a lipo charger and decent lipo pack.

just another idea

[wcarrothers]

well ended up going for a Rustler....
.. didn't check the local stores web site which has a price for the brushless at 259 (was 289 in the store) so I ended up going for the brush version

Was thinking about getting the brushless rustler and transplanting that to a brush 4x4 slash (when it comes in, in december). Figure it
might be a little cheeper to get the brushless upgrade out of a rustler then built into a new 4wd slash..

Didn't go for that option due to the price but maybe if they could give me the web price.. Guess I'll have to check.

Anywho..

b.

[ducati777]

The slash 4x4 is going to be pretty dang quick out of the box.

18th scale is a great choice, and the peformance can be surprising.

But if they really get into it, a larger truck may keep them interested longer.

[Traxxas_basher]

well ended up going for a Rustler....
.. didn't check the local stores web site which has a price for the brushless at 259 (was 289 in the store) so I ended up going for the brush version

Was thinking about getting the brushless rustler and transplanting that to a brush 4x4 slash (when it comes in, in december). Figure it
might be a little cheeper to get the brushless upgrade out of a rustler then built into a new 4wd slash..

Didn't go for that option due to the price but maybe if they could give me the web price.. Guess I'll have to check.

Anywho..

b.
great choice that was my first one it is a blast even the brushed version

[Ihaveaxrayt2r]

4x4 slash is all ready brushless so you would be wasting your money if you bought a brushless rustler then used the brushless system in the 4x4 slash.

[terrible-t]

well ended up going for a Rustler....
.. didn't check the local stores web site which has a price for the brushless at 259 (was 289 in the store) so I ended up going for the brush version

Was thinking about getting the brushless rustler and transplanting that to a brush 4x4 slash (when it comes in, in december). Figure it
might be a little cheeper to get the brushless upgrade out of a rustler then built into a new 4wd slash..

Didn't go for that option due to the price but maybe if they could give me the web price.. Guess I'll have to check.

Anywho..

b.

All kidding aside. Your kid is 8-9yrs old. He won't be working in another 5 years!! lol!! I would have it this way. Brushed motors would last maybe 2 hours of playing, Then you'd replace the brushes old new motor, What!! approximately $6 to $45 to replace. Brushless would probably last 5X the brushed motor. Upgradung to lipos. Well it's up to you, Your $$$'s!!! lol!!

[wcarrothers]

Ihaveaxrayt2r - The thought is perhaps they would have a brush version. thus perhaps enable a swap.. didn't really know what combos they would come up with on the 4x4 once it's here so figured that was 1 idea anyway.

I know I got a ton a time out of my brush motors back in the day. think I only ran a few to death.. so it will probably be ok this way. The problem with this choice comes in when the neighbor kid ends up having the brushless version. Although with the way the Mi econ is going I doubt that will happen. People arn't spending that way around lately..hehe. Still thinking about exchanging the brush version I picked up though.

I've got 2 boys so no matter what we get there will be a lot of fighting and multiple cars will be neccessary. Keeping it on the less expencive side is neccessary.

b.

b./

[byron555]

I would go with a Traxxas Brushless E-Revo..... Not really.... I would go with a Stampede, or a HPI Wheely King with 4x4. I have a wheely king and it is a great back yard basher with an upgraded motor. Stock the Stampede is probably the best bang for your buck.

[Sorcerer001]

I bought the HPI Wheely King for my daughter, it's a great little truck, will go just about anywhere and take a beating. The fact that it does wheelies on command will entertain the kid for hours. While a mini (1/18th scale or smaller) may seem like a great, economical idea, I can tell you from experience that the reduced capability of the smaller tires and lower stance could cause some frustration. Constantly getting hung up on obstacles, not being able to run in grass... Buy him something that he can drive anywhere.

[Traxxas_basher]

when your titan motor wears out i would recommend replacing it with this (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMDY7&P=SM)thats what i have in mine the brushes last about a year of hard bashing

[byron555]

I bought the HPI Wheely King for my daughter, it's a great little truck, will go just about anywhere and take a beating. The fact that it does wheelies on command will entertain the kid for hours. While a mini (1/18th scale or smaller) may seem like a great, economical idea, I can tell you from experience that the reduced capability of the smaller tires and lower stance could cause some frustration. Constantly getting hung up on obstacles, not being able to run in grass... Buy him something that he can drive anywhere.

Yup they go anywhere, with wheelies on command does entertain kids for hours on end, super tough too. For whatever reason the batteries in my Wheelie king seem to last forever. I swear I must get about 25 min out of a GP3300 Nimh, that's with a 21 turn motor. I've got hours upon hours on the wheelie king, only have had to replace a rear ring and pinion in the axle and a front drive shaft yoke.