Selling my bike. RC car a good replacement?

Samuel
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388
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Independence, OR US
Edited Date/Time 1/1/2015 11:25am
I need to sell my bike to pay for tuition. I only have one more semester of school, so I will probably have another bike in May. But for now I was thinking of buying an RC car to tide me over for the next 6 months. My budget will allow around $300 for a car. Will this get me anything decent? Are these cars constant money pits? I can't afford to be buying parts every week, so reliability is important to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions about which cars, or if should I just bag the idea altogether? It is definitely something I've wanted for a while, but if it ends up being a money pit, it's probably best for me to hold off. The type of "driving" that I'd do would mostly be in sand and gravel pits around here.
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newmann
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US
12/15/2014 12:05pm
Extra batteries, better chargers, bearings, control arms, steering knuckles.....then the servo or some other electrical part goes out. What a pile of shit that thing was. My kid was totally bummed at how often it broke down. Probably had $750.00 in it with all the stuff that died or broke. Sold it for $150.00.
disbanded
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Denver, CO US
12/15/2014 12:17pm
Maybe spend your money at one of those Go Kart tracks like Pole Position or K1 Speed.

That really helped with my racing Jones. Some even have a racing series that runs once or twice a month when the place is closed to the public and it's serious guys only. Definitely fun.

The Shop

lostboy819
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Black Forest , CO US
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553rd
12/15/2014 12:21pm
I have 3 traxxas Nitro slayer pro 4x4 for myself and two boy and they take a beating but all RC cars will break. Nitro is loud and messy but we can run for hours and do not need to stop to change batteries. Electric can be run inside or out as long as you have space to run. Go to your local hobby store and see what they have for parts in stock and get there recommendations. I have had everthing from RC10s and LOSIs to my traxxas nitros they are all fun but you need to consider where and what kind of driving you want to do. We have had great luck with very few broken parts but the traxxas is not a race RC and I have been there and done that so I just got these to rip around in the dirt.




bsm121
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New Braunfels, TX US
12/15/2014 12:44pm
Do without until you finish school, then get a good job and buy both.
Homey55
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collinsville, OK US
12/15/2014 4:42pm
They are a money pit! I would get a used BMX or MTB.

...Or build your own...


lostboy819
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12/15/2014 5:06pm
Homey55 wrote:
They are a money pit! I would get a used BMX or MTB. ...Or build your own... [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/12/15/73949/s1200_rc_desert_truck.jpg[/img]
They are a money pit! I would get a used BMX or MTB.

...Or build your own...


I like it !!
Samuel
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Independence, OR US
12/15/2014 9:00pm
That is awesome! Thanks for the advise everybody, even though it's all over the place. I actually already have a downhill bike that I ride, so I'm not at a total loss. I just barely sold my bike 20 minutes ago.

Tell me what you guys think of this http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=678&ad=32731093&cat=653&lpid=

Seems like they've upgraded a lot of things that would break, but I'm clueless about these things.
12/15/2014 9:07pm Edited Date/Time 12/15/2014 9:12pm
Samuel wrote:
That is awesome! Thanks for the advise everybody, even though it's all over the place. I actually already have a downhill bike that I ride, so...
That is awesome! Thanks for the advise everybody, even though it's all over the place. I actually already have a downhill bike that I ride, so I'm not at a total loss. I just barely sold my bike 20 minutes ago.

Tell me what you guys think of this http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=678&ad=32731093&cat=653&lpid=

Seems like they've upgraded a lot of things that would break, but I'm clueless about these things.
Don't think that thing will be worth a shit on a track.
Samuel
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Independence, OR US
12/16/2014 3:43am
Samuel wrote:
That is awesome! Thanks for the advise everybody, even though it's all over the place. I actually already have a downhill bike that I ride, so...
That is awesome! Thanks for the advise everybody, even though it's all over the place. I actually already have a downhill bike that I ride, so I'm not at a total loss. I just barely sold my bike 20 minutes ago.

Tell me what you guys think of this http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=678&ad=32731093&cat=653&lpid=

Seems like they've upgraded a lot of things that would break, but I'm clueless about these things.
Don't think that thing will be worth a shit on a track.
I see. What makes a good racer?
Samuel
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Independence, OR US
12/16/2014 3:49am
Lostboy- I don't think I'll be racing much if at all. My main concern is reliability. The kind of riding I'd do is just cruising in open areas. Gravel pits, dunes, and desert. With that said, What has been your favorite vehicle?
lostboy819
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12/16/2014 6:59am Edited Date/Time 12/16/2014 7:00am
Samuel wrote:
Lostboy- I don't think I'll be racing much if at all. My main concern is reliability. The kind of riding I'd do is just cruising in...
Lostboy- I don't think I'll be racing much if at all. My main concern is reliability. The kind of riding I'd do is just cruising in open areas. Gravel pits, dunes, and desert. With that said, What has been your favorite vehicle?
I really like my Traxxas nitro slayer pro 4x4s just because they are ready to run after a short break in and they hold up very well,have only broken a few parts and I have three of them. I like the EZ start also. But make no mistake they are NOT race trucks but with three of them my boys and I will do a little banging and set up a small course. Draw back is they are not cheap and when I got mine they were about $425 each and with nitro and some extra tires I had $1500.00 tied up real quick and if I sell them I would be lucky to get $200 each but we have had hours of fun with them and very few broken parts. Go to your local hobby store and see what they have and recommend and 4 wheel drive is much easier to control on lose dirt and gravel.
dsmith
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way north, IN US
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12/16/2014 7:42am Edited Date/Time 1/2/2015 6:42am
dsmith wrote:
sure ...why not...heres your best bet..

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDZZF&P=SM
Samuel wrote:
Do I need to by anything else with that?
nope....just 6 aa batteries for controller....this comes with a battery and charger which is rare...the truck "will" cut some ruts also...
lostboy819
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12/16/2014 7:51am
Trading one expensive hobby for another? Take bsm's advice.
LOL You are correct, RC cars are $$ . I though Motocross was expensive until I went shift kart racing. Pinch
Samuel
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Independence, OR US
12/16/2014 8:35am
Trading one expensive hobby for another? Take bsm's advice.
Yes that is probably the best and most logical choice. Shucks! Now I just need to convince myself that this isn't a need. Or is it?Laughing
FLmxer
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SouthWest, FL US
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12/16/2014 9:42am Edited Date/Time 12/16/2014 9:48am
Traxxas are pretty good fun but handle horrible, it can't even make it through mild chop that a Losi or AE won't even blink at. A traxxas will flip non stop where it is hard to flip a Losi or AE. A stock Traxxas is like a ttr 125 to a yzf450. Still fun but don't think you are going to run with the other two. On my little track a traxxas can't make it around twice without flipping going fast enough to clear the jumps with a pro driver but a bunch of amateur first times can't even try to flip the losi's and go way faster. Traxxas is still awesome and can take a beating but I have tried every shock and chassis combo and it can get better but never even close to a stock losi or AE. I'm talking electric, nitro traxxas handle a lot better with the added weight.
12/16/2014 12:36pm Edited Date/Time 12/16/2014 12:38pm
FLmxer wrote:
Traxxas are pretty good fun but handle horrible, it can't even make it through mild chop that a Losi or AE won't even blink at. A...
Traxxas are pretty good fun but handle horrible, it can't even make it through mild chop that a Losi or AE won't even blink at. A traxxas will flip non stop where it is hard to flip a Losi or AE. A stock Traxxas is like a ttr 125 to a yzf450. Still fun but don't think you are going to run with the other two. On my little track a traxxas can't make it around twice without flipping going fast enough to clear the jumps with a pro driver but a bunch of amateur first times can't even try to flip the losi's and go way faster. Traxxas is still awesome and can take a beating but I have tried every shock and chassis combo and it can get better but never even close to a stock losi or AE. I'm talking electric, nitro traxxas handle a lot better with the added weight.
The newer Traxxas Slash Lower Center Gravity (LCG) is not that bad. I ran my buddies at OCRC Raceway and could get around just fine. I run a Losi 10 SCTE 2.0.
672_Seth
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Location
CA
12/17/2014 7:54pm
Traxxas Stampede or Slash are your best bet. DO NOT get a AE or Losi i have 2 and they break nonstop when i bash them! They are a racers truck. Traxxas is made for bashing. Another tip.. do yourself a favor and get electric not nitro! And obviously get a RTR (readytorun)... ART is not what you want
enketchum
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4275
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2/6/2012
Location
Pasadena, CA US
1/1/2015 1:27am Edited Date/Time 1/1/2015 1:28am
1/10 doesn't bash very well in any stock form. I raced for a long time until it was getting too popular and tracks weren't fun anymore, too much hacking and fighting. I have an sc10 for sale right now as a complete chassis. I can send wheels too.

I am wheeling scalers now. They are more fun for me because I can wheel wherever I want to.

http://www.rpphobby.com/category_s/26.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=26&bra…
APLMAN99
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Dallas, TX US
1/1/2015 2:55am
I bought my youngest son a Traxxas Bandit RTR combo for Christmas, and while it may not be "ready to race", I'm actually impressed with the little thing for the price. Definitely a good starter car, and if upgrades don't make sense then we'll just keep it for fun and move up to a better car when he decides he's ready.
ToolMaker
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Escondido, CA US
1/1/2015 7:06am
RC cars? Why not save money and just get into online poker?Laughing Laughing Laughing
jeffro503
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St Helens, OR US
1/1/2015 11:25am Edited Date/Time 1/1/2015 11:25am
RC cars can get spendy.....but if you are really looking to spend a lot....try getting into Flying RC. I sold a couple of my big ones but had any where from $2500.00 - $5000.00 wrapped up into one bird alone. My 40% Yak was going to put me out about $5500.00. My 35% Yak would of been around $3500.00. It's also the only " Hobby " i've ever done where it puts your stomach into your throat. Can get nerve racking for sure.....but a lot of fun.

I've been in and out of the RC cars for about 10yrs. Mainly 1/8th nitro at first , then went into 1/8th electric ( I run Mugens ). Fun indeed......but I get bored with it after a while. I flew RC for about 4yrs strait and loved it. Thought it was dumb before I tried it.......it's a blast!

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