KDagh1

I am looking at re-entering the TC scene and now have a decision to make. I am currently running an EVO III Surikarn edition which has worked well for me, but I am going to convert it into a Trans Am. At the same time, I need a good touring car and am undecided between the TC5 and waiting for the 416 to come out in January. Here are pros as I see it:

TC5 Pros:
- Cheaper
- Readily available parts
- Proven performer
- Lots of people running this chassis
- Easier to get set-ups / compare set-ups
- Less likely to go obsolete due to numerous Tamiya upgrade kits
- Associated makes a great car

416 Pros:
- Can race at TCS
- Proven high-performer
- Beautiful chassis and blue anodized parts
- Passion for Tamiya
- Slightly different than what most people are running
- Many people will be using this car on this board and a big thread will emerge

TC5 Cons:
- More common
- Cannot race at TCS

416 Cons:
- Not out until January
- May be harder to get parts for
- May be left scratching my head on set-ups without a lot of other people running them

At this point, I am leaning toward Tamiya due to its TCS eligibility and that I have always liked Tamiya. But, I am not nuts about waiting so long for it to come out. Any thoughts on how I should make the decision or other considerations?

Thanks,
Khal

_pilot_

Stay away from the TC5, Associated hasn't had a good car since the TC3. The Tamiya 416 will be a good car, as was the 415. Personally I'm an XRay guy but if I had to choose between the TC5 and 416 I'd go with the 416 regardless of parts availability or how many other drivers are running it. With lots of track time you should be able to land on a good setup yourself, it just takes lots of testing and tuning.

AdrianLim85

iTrader: (10)

KDagh1,

Definitely the 416 a better car to have..

syndr0me

iTrader: (32)

Word is that the 416 will drop on 12/20. It sounds like it's going to ship with a front one-way, and can fit the Orion 4800 sized LiPo. I don't know if any of those things matter, but I'm wrestling with a similar decision at the moment. Cost wise, you can get it for fairly cheap from Japan ($380) through RC Champ. Also, I don't buy that a kit immediately becomes obsolete once a new one is released. If you need any proof, look no further than the fact that Marc R. ran the original 415 on carpet rather than its contemporaries as recently as IIC 2007.

mac853

Maybe you are from US or EU, so you prefer AE cars, to purchasing parts and chassis more easily and cheaper.
Undoubtly TRF416 design is latest, as we saw it is more competitive which have won JMRCA Expert and Super-Expert class as well.
About to need a lot of option parts for TRF416, this is up to you, i think even don't need so much optional you could just have competitive car, as we saw the parts of chassis is enough light.
In the case of US/EU cars have always a weak point, very little option parts, different than japanese ones which like to try put more parts (aluminium parts or fluorine coated ones) to attract buyers to purchase it with huge prices, but a lot of them will not affect so much overall performance of the car so you could ignore it.

G2B Anthony

if you have enough setting skill and experience with racing, TC5 is the way u go. if not, Tamiya car is easy to drive and setup.

mac853

If you have to run on different tracks, i recommend you to choose TRF416. Which have good handling and fast adaptation to be easy to setup.
But if you worry to crash during the practice on unknown track maybe TC5 is better.

morris

iTrader: (44)

jrxs type-r.......

convikt

iTrader: (27)

I had a TC5 for less than 2 weeks. It sucked. Inconsistant handling, some parts that should be aluminum, and its parts flex like Hulk Hogan used to back in the day, crappy belts, lot higher center of gravity than most. I did like the shocks though

steve eaves

iTrader: (74)

The tc5 is a good rubber tire car depends what you are going to be racing?

PitNamedGordie

iTrader: (8)

First things...The TC5 is NOT a bad car at all. However the Tamiya 416 will be a good car and you should be able to get setup info from this site. If you like TCS racing then your choice is easy...the 416.

KDagh1

Thanks for all of the insights and opinions guys. I was expecting 80% to come back as pro- TC5. I am running rubber tire now but I want the flexibility to move on to Foam tire in the near future. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards running my current Tamiya out at least until the end of the year. If and when the 416 comes along, I'll consider it.

Thanks,
Khal

RC MARKET

iTrader: (12)

Xray T2'008 or TRF416

_pilot_

A few years ago everybody would have been chanting Associated, but they (AE) have really fallen behind in their R&D. The TC4 was a nightmare on wheels and was really only good for beginners. When I hold a TC5 in my hands it feels like I'm looking at a car that was designed a few years ago. Even the new 12L5 looks to be updated a little but doesn't even come close to the CRC Gen-X and a couple other good 1/12's. Anyways back to the topic, if you are really serious about racing and want a top of the line car that will give you the performance and consistancy you need then you have to pick the 416. Just my .02

GreaseMonkey

iTrader: (4)

If you're going to run foam tyres then the 416 might not be the best choice. When I had a 415 the only front diff available was from a Yokomo and I don't know if tamiya ever actually came out with a front diff for the car. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happened with the 416.