T.O.P, Tamiya, or Xray??...New driver need a lil input.
 

Well dont want to start a flame war. But i am kinda new to onroad and want a new kit. I bought a RDX second hand and its been good just want something new. I have gone trough all the threads and it seems they all have + and - like anything else. I have been racing offroad along time and know setup and tires is 90% of the game but what car would be better for someone starting out? I guess more then anything i want a car that will be stable. Parts support isnt a problem for the tamiya or xray. The t.o.p. would have to be online but thats fine. Thanks guys.

Xray - First class quality, kit pieces together superbly. A little clunky in my opinion and parts are ridiculously expensive (i.e. drive shafts are $27 a piece... just the long part of the CVD and nothing else). And the fact that they have to nickel and dime you after already buying a $500 kit is kind of shady. (This is what I own now). That being said, it is an engineering marvel, and many of the features are well thought out. Also, the xray holds its tweak the best and is a tank. I haven't broke anything in about 3 months of running now.

Tamiya - The car is butter smooth, but the quality of the aluminum and plastic is just a tick below Xray in my opinion. So far my favorite car to own, and the stock setup out of the box is almost always in the ballpark. It can be a little frail to newcomers who will be hitting track barriers alot. The build is a little frustrating because you have to sort out all the screws which are placed into one bag. Car wears out a little more than the Xray, and you have to stay on top of everything because slop will develop. Uncommon parts like the layshaft, and diff halves wear out and are most likely due to said quality of aluminum. When it's fresh though... it's like buttah! Super efficient...

Top - Great car, super cheap... handles like a dream, especially on asphalt. All the local TOP guys here in NorCal are dialed. Car quality is the poorest of the three in my opinion... things don't really snap together as well as they should. I seem to see alot of TOP guys shimming this or sanding that, but at the end of the day they get them around the track quickly. And at that price, probably the most bang for the buck.

Good luck and have fun!

I've had a few xrays, although an amazing car, the prices and availability of parts is the absolute worst I've ever heard of. I have known mine to be rugged but when you do break, good luck! I've even heard of guys ordering parts from China to get them faster and cheaper than in the US if you order in bulk. The parts come solo in a bag so a CVD shaft is just that, one CVD shaft, thats it.
Tamiya is possibly my next car, but I'll wait to see what happens with this Associated TC6 first, I wouldn't count it out.

I agree with Stickyfingaz on a few points. Xray quality is very good, but you're going to pay for it. Just checked the price of caster block bushings... $15.15 for for little metal tophats. :eek: I guess that's what they mean by luxury. :lol: I've owned a few Xray's and don't have any complaints except for the price of parts.

Never owned a Tamiya, but the ones I've seen at the track have worked very well.

Can't beat the price of the Photon. No other company gives you an extra chassis like TOP does and TOP USA includes an extra set of suspension pieces as well. TOP does it and sells the car for 25% less than an Xray. I disagree with sticky on the quality of the car. I've built several and never sanded anything except the chassis and diff rings. Car went together better than any other car I've built. (Corally, Xray, Associated, Losi, Yokomo) Parts are extremely durable, inexpensive and easy to get through A-main hobbies and TOP USA. Car performs very well and customer service at TOP USA is second to none.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of the three. Good luck with your choice. :) Hope to see you in red. :cool:

Check what fastest guys are driving on nearest tracks. Check part support.
Sometimes is better to have track part support or u lose race.
I have HPI/HB Cyclone cars a long time and they are great and with new lipo TCX chassis comming out - maybe you wana have new one.
I'v seen others cars in action and i like tamiyas as they are almost the same as HB but they are fast ones on big races from 2008.
Yokomo is always in top but part support may be little tricky.
Xray is OK but parts are problem to get+expencive.
Schumacher, Asso, TOP and others - realy don't know so can't say about them.

I'll go with Tamiya 416X as you have local part support.

I do agree with stiltskin and even more I believe top is the best quAlity car after xray ;)
But only downside for me maybe a little too much flex for indoors that's all...
Xray or photon should suit your needs...

Thanks for the input guys. Im really leaning towards top as a local had one and was flying. I wish parts support was a lil better but parts dont seem to be to bad. I can just make a decent order with amain and should be fine. Next question is though where to get the kit. I see amain has it back ordered and havent found it anywhere else.

With talking to EJ... kits should be arriving in "batches" as of the end of this month. They're not coming in large batches, but they are coming. A Main has a large backorder with TOP USA so I know they'll get some of their cars on the first order. It might be smart to get on a pre-order list as these cars have been selling faster than the factory can keep up. :nod:

One thing to take into account, is the level of support from TOP is well.. TOP's. EJ and Mike, work hard to make sure things are taken care of.

I recently got the TOP car and am very happy with it, I have owned xray, losi, schui, corrally and this is the best balanced car of them all. The parts quality is excellent, the spur gear holder is the only part thats a little tricky, but if you ream the spur gear holes a little its snaps right together.

Cool. Sounds like you guys are loving your kits hope to have the same success. Just pmed E.J. to see if he knew where or when i can pick one up. Quick question i assume you all are running the rubber edition correct? I race 90% asphalt and thats where i hear the car shines. Thanks

@Mike
Good to hear you are happy with photon is that opinion comes from indoor or outdoor racing?
if it's good at indoor is that kit car or which part are you using to fine tune the car
Thanx

Outdoor, but locally the car was awesome during the indoor season as well, looking forward to running the new chassis on the rug. At our track they were running foam chassis indoor, but that track builds up IIC level grip! To me the biggest change I can feel with the car is even with a lot of rear grip the car still rotates, the doesn't have to be loose to get through the corner.

I ran the 1st gen Photon on carpet last year. By far the fastest car on the track. I used the 2.5 lipo chassis and two diffs. Only 3 cars with 37 laps and I ran 38 laps a few times. :sneaky: I felt like Tiger Woods (minus all the porn stars :lol:) I think the new car will work well on carpet with the standard (kit spec) chassis. The car just works. :nod:

Hello

+1 to Top Photon the car is great.

Best regards:
Pedro silva