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Old 06-10-2009, 07:46 AM
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Default Nuclear RC and the right car.

Hello all,

I have been researching quite a bit trying to figure out the best car to get to leave me the most options. It seems like your car choice should be centered mostly around where you can use it.

Given that, Nuclear RC is the closest race track to me and they seem to do off-roading exclusively.

I have been researching starter off road vehicles and have trouble finding anything to compete with the Traxxas slash for durability, price and upgradeability. My only issue is that I was hoping to get a Nitro powered vehicle.

Given that you can get a Slash for ~$200 + ~$100 for a reasonable battery and charger, what is the best option for me to get for a nitro powered car that is comparable to the slash that also won't preclude me from racing at Nuclear RC?

Thanks a lot.
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Old 06-10-2009, 07:51 AM
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For the most part, a decent nitro buggy or truggy would be at least double that. It is also more like $1500-2000 for a race setup when you factor in everything. Car, spares, engine, radio, batteries, starter box, tools, tires, fuel, etc.
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Old 06-10-2009, 08:33 AM
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I have heard that estimate before, but I figure I need to walk before I can run. Are there not normally stock races at courses so beginners can practice and improve their race skills?

The last thing I want to do is drop that much money on a car and equipment only to find that I don't have the skill/patience/know how to compete in a race.

I also don't want to buy a vehicle that doesn't have the upgrade options to get me to that level.

It seems that the Traxxas Slayer is the closest nitro car to the slash from Traxxas. Does the slayer have the ability to be upgraded so it can compete against the big boys?
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Old 06-10-2009, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Garet Jax
I have heard that estimate before, but I figure I need to walk before I can run. Are there not normally stock races at courses so beginners can practice and improve their race skills?

The last thing I want to do is drop that much money on a car and equipment only to find that I don't have the skill/patience/know how to compete in a race.

I also don't want to buy a vehicle that doesn't have the upgrade options to get me to that level.

It seems that the Traxxas Slayer is the closest nitro car to the slash from Traxxas. Does the slayer have the ability to be upgraded so it can compete against the big boys?

you need to look into these companies...Not traxxas


http://www.losi.com/

http://www.teamassociated.com/

http://www.mugenseiki.com/menueefi.htm

http://www.kyoshoamerica.com/

http://ofna.com/

the list goes on....but traxxas is mostly RTR stuff and if you want to race RTR does not cut it imo.


like Semple said this hobby is FAR from cheap....expect to dump 1000's into it if you have the knack...if your mechanically inclined and have always liked to tinker with thing's (take them apart to see how they "tick" ) this Is the hobby for you.....but it is expensive no matter which way you look at it.
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Old 06-10-2009, 09:11 AM
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that track is almost all nitro. heard they have done a lil slash here and there. but most all 1/8 nitro (buggy, truggy, and lil bit of MT).

go on their board and talk to 'mugen9113', ron will steer u in the right direction.

R
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Old 06-10-2009, 09:26 AM
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All of the manufacturers that Integra mentioned are all good but they can be pricey. If you are looking at getting a decent rig at an affordible price, I would look into Caster Racing, Hot Bodies D8, or the Cen Matrix R2.

Caster Racing Rigs:
http://holeshothobbies.com/index.php...957c944e225d4e

Hot Bodies D8: this is the cheapest price I found for the kit.
http://www.waldorfrc.com/servlet/the...-fdsh-8/Detail
This guy also sells the D8 in his ebay store with a "Best Offer" You may be able to get it a little cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hot-Bodies-D8-1%...QQcmdZViewItem

Cen Matrix R2:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Cen-Matrix-R2-RT...QQcmdZViewItem

The Caster and Cen come in RTR form so all you need is batteries, charger and fuel. The Hot Bodies D8 is a kit and you will have to assemble it and you will also need an engine, servos, and radio gear. These are the most affordible options to get into nitro without breaking the bank or getting one of those crappy Chinese knock-offs that break easily and you can't get parts for.
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Old 06-10-2009, 09:45 AM
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Dude to begin I strongly suggest one of the following:

Best Deal - -

Losi 8ight B or 8ight T - READY TO RUN - around $750 plus batteries and fuel.
It comes with a Starter Box which is HUGE and a 2.4 radio system. Up grade and replace parts as you go. They are durable and you dont need a whole extra car for parts.

Ok Deal -

AE RC8B and RC8T - around $600 - these are OK, it uses ad roto start system which sucks and no 2.4 radio. Don't let people tell you that you needs to drop $2000 to start racing - far from the truth.

I know a bunch of people here in Colorado that just got in to nitro eifff scale and spent from $300-$500 to get started. They buy used Losi 1.0 8ight B's and T's, a cheaper radio system, and they are upgrading as they go.

These two cars - will be your best choice regardless of what everyone say. Your just getting into the hobby so one BIG thing you want to check is parts avaliblity at your LHS. i bet Losi can AE are carried. The others Mugen $$$ Xray $$$.

Dude I dont like Traxxas stuff but if there is a lot of REVOS out there racing - that would not be a bad thing to get - to start. But not matter what you get -it will cost you in the long run, fuel tires, plugs, parts, lube and oil ect.... No matter what brand you get.
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Old 06-10-2009, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by ultegrasti
that track is almost all nitro. heard they have done a lil slash here and there. but most all 1/8 nitro (buggy, truggy, and lil bit of MT).

go on their board and talk to 'mugen9113', ron will steer u in the right direction.

R
Thanks a lot. I created an ID and posted there and also sent Ron a PM.
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Old 06-10-2009, 10:03 AM
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Best Deal - -

Losi 8ight B or 8ight T - READY TO RUN - around $750 plus batteries and fuel.
It comes with a Starter Box which is HUGE and a 2.4 radio system. Up grade and replace parts as you go. They are durable and you dont need a whole extra car for parts.
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Old 06-10-2009, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by bradfox2
Best Deal - -

Losi 8ight B or 8ight T - READY TO RUN - around $750 plus batteries and fuel.
It comes with a Starter Box which is HUGE and a 2.4 radio system. Up grade and replace parts as you go. They are durable and you dont need a whole extra car for parts.
I'll third the Losi 8ight RTR. Great buggy and you get everything with it. Lots of options to upgrade as need/want.
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Old 06-10-2009, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by bradfox2
Best Deal - -

Losi 8ight B or 8ight T - READY TO RUN - around $750 plus batteries and fuel.
It comes with a Starter Box which is HUGE and a 2.4 radio system. Up grade and replace parts as you go. They are durable and you dont need a whole extra car for parts.
+4 on this deal for a starter!
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Old 06-10-2009, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by bradfox2
Best Deal - -

Losi 8ight B or 8ight T - READY TO RUN - around $750 plus batteries and fuel.
It comes with a Starter Box which is HUGE and a 2.4 radio system. Up grade and replace parts as you go. They are durable and you dont need a whole extra car for parts.

even this set up will be close to $1000. by the time you are ready to touch a track.
you will need
tools
batteries
glow plugs
glow plug driver
fuel
fuel bottle
transponder
and the list goes on..

But I have to say. I got my Losi 8ight 2.0 T yesterday and this thing is sweet compared to my DT Raze ST. still breaking it in
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Old 06-10-2009, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by sickmojave
even this set up will be close to $1000. by the time you are ready to touch a track.
you will need
tools
batteries
glow plugs
glow plug driver
fuel
fuel bottle
transponder
and the list goes on..

But I have to say. I got my Losi 8ight 2.0 T yesterday and this thing is sweet compared to my DT Raze ST. still breaking it in
Thanks for all the responses. It seems that the costs are significantly higher than I hoped and the key is the racing side.

In terms of the extra stuff:

What sorts of tools will I need?
What is the transponder used for?
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Old 06-10-2009, 12:50 PM
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Here's what I have-

1/4" socket wrench
Deep millimeter sockets
Standard deep sockets
Decent set of allen screwdrivers
Vise-grips
Wrenches


A transponder is used to record your laps, some tracks have public ones likr the one I race at, others require that you use your own.
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Old 06-10-2009, 12:54 PM
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Ive raced at Nuclear RC in Md and would recommend starting with a truggy.

Your best bet to get started without breaking the bank would be a 2nd hand one. I would bet there are a couple people in that club who have something to sell. In fact there was a guy Paul Horrigan (sp?) who was looking to sell his RC8T who races there.
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