First nitro RC.
 

Is it worth to buy Traxxas Slash 3.3 or Rustler 2.5 (Cant decide between these 2) as first nitro rc and how good are the engines?

Personally, I would never buy a traxxas. They're like a really strange nitch between a hobby grade and toy grade but fanboys love them.

I've worked on a few for people and hated every minute of it. They're over-engineered, needlessly complicated.

As for those engines, what I've read more times than I can count, those engines throw rods. Traxxas owners have said there's nothing you can do to prevent it. It just happens.

I know you are trying to decide between those two but I would like to suggest another brand that's well worth your money - Losi.

At least Losi is trying to please someone somewhere.

^ That was a bit harsh, there isn’t anything wrong with Traxxas, they’re good fun and can take a beating. If I had to pick from the options you listed I’d go Slash/slayer, stadium trucks are pretty versatile.

Disclaimer: Not a Traxxas fanboy, apparently saying something positive about makes you one.

Nothing wrong with it, but check out Arrma at Horizonhobby,com

Ive had a few nitro traxxas cars, and never had issues with the motors. You only throw rods if you tune the engine to lean and there is not enough lube going through the engine. This is 100% users fault...

No, they're a strange niche between toy grade and race grade -- a strange niche called "hobby grade". Racers have forgotten what having a hobby is supposed to be about. If you race on a track -- at all, ever -- you are not a member of the largest RC demographic in the real world that exists outside enthusiast forums.

See above. Hobbies are by definition "needlessly complicated" because hobbies don't need to exist in the first place. One thing Traxxas has in common with Tamiya is they both create mechanical designs that prioritize uniqueness over pure functionality. Tamiya is the best in the industry in that regard, but Traxxas is better at it than race-focused brands that just churn out the same flat-pan chassis with tiny changes in screw positioning every year.

This is a valid criticism. Traxxas changed the rod design a few years ago and the new design is weaker in ways that cause them to fail when overworked by enthusiastic drivers with beginner-level skill.

Traxxas is the largest standalone RC brand in the world by revenue, and one of very few RC brands known to people who've never had any interest in RC. I'm pretty sure they're pleasing a lot of people in a lot of places, just not you.

Traxxas isn't my favorite brand, I own a few but no more than the other brands I like. I've kept some and gotten rid of some.

Hateboys like you who say "I'll never buy Brand X" are no better than fanboys who say "I'll only buy Brand X."

Traxxas is the brand to get if you just starting out.. I did that and Tamiya.

However recently I have been considering transitioning from:

Losi to Serpent.. mainly you know conglomerate monopoly. Since losi is outsourced might as well switch to a brand that of a higher tier than Horizon’s TLR foreign manufacturing base.

If you’re really set on nitro then I’d look at a traxxas revo. It’s a lot of fun and holds its value decently well according to my searches on local Classifieds. I sold mine to get a computer and eventually into racing nitro buggies - but always wanted it back.

Traxxas is a good brand without a doubt that will have plenty of parts and upgrades available, solid online community and the 3.3 isn’t terrible - especially with their program to get a new one for a cheaper price through trade in. In terms of learning and potentially messing up an engine, $130 ish for a replacement isn’t too bad compared IMO. Can also upgrade too.

is it the quality and durability of a race brand like my mugen? No. But traxxas is built with the general population in mind so it should be fine!

I had the rustler 2.5 and it was fun but limited because of the 2WD. It’s really fun to make go 70+ with a 3.3 and some upgrades for straight passes.

ive never had the slash, if you’re set on spending <350 for a nitro then the revo and kyosho rtrs are out of your budget. However if you can swing it and have easy pay through horizon or tower - I’d definitely check out the revo for traxxas.

Totally agree on Traxass product find something else if possible

Losi
 

The Losi 8ight rtr buggy and truggy are great buys. They're on a whole other level than Traxxas. I have some Traxxas and have had a blast with them but you can bash or race with a Losi. The Traxxas line is mostly for bashing. A Losi is more versatile and in my long experience, more durable. The Dynamite engines that come with Losi rtrs are very dependable and user friendly.

Losi is outsourced? Since when? What RC manufacture don't use foreign manufacturing...

Nothing at all wrong with traxxas, both the 2.5 and 3.3 are good engines, I suggest the revo or tmaxx. However, traxxas isn't the only brand out. Do lots of research, nitro isn't hard, but takes lots of patience. Oh, and buy lots of glow plugs, and if you get something with ez start, I recommend to remove the blue wire and use a good quality stand alone glow plug ignitor.

If you want to bash and all that I would recommend losi truggy rtr, for race track get a buggy.

Forget the Losi RTR, whatever stock is out there now won't be there long. Horizon is killing off nitro RTRs real soon if not already.

Traxxas engines are trash for the most part. I understand peoples nipples invert when they read that but who cares. The plastic carbs are trash and the rods break, even on a good tune. Also, Traxxcrap nitros are poor quality overall, fanboys will claim otherwise but those same people run up and down the street then shut the engine off. Heck, a cheaper Redcat can do that.

At this point, people will be better off with the following options:

-Buy Kyosho Neo RTR, even with their spotty parts availability. It's handling is better, the engine is better, the carb is better, the diffs are, etc, etc.

-Buy a used 1/8th scale.

-Buy a kit (Tekno, Kyosho, Mugen) drop in parts and enjoy.

I don't like Traxxas engines because they're too loud. They make acceptable power, though. The only real problems are the connecting rods, which seem for all the world to be made intentionally weak, and Traxxas fuel, which contains way too much oil because it's intended for use by noobs who tune their engines dangerously lean.

Plastic carbs are nice. They are more resistant to tuning changes caused by weather and engine temperature. I have plastic carbs on most of my engines and I haven't needed to replace any of them in years.

DO NOT BUY A USED NITRO RC AS YOUR FIRST NITRO. 95% of used nitro RCs have major problems that the former owner didn't want to fix. When you buy a used nitro RC, you're buying a major project that will probably be a money pit.