Hi, everyone.
Recently got back into the hobby after a 5 year absence. I have always had a thing for smaller than 1/10 scale vehicles due to the space I have available to run in my apartment complex.
Right now I have a Losi Mini LST2 LE and a Traxxas 1/16 erevo VXL. They are both keepers in my book for different reasons. I am looking to add a third mini to my stable, but having some vacillation about which one.
This vehicle would be mostly for running in an underground parking garage for a 36 family apartment building and in dry seasons run outdoors on a paved parking lot. I have small ramps (6-12") that I have made for jumps. I have absolutely no intention to race.
My target points are as follows:
- $250 out the door with 2 or 3 battery packs of a reasonable capacity - NiMH or LiPo is OK
- Parts support readily available online and locally
- Has to be able to handle parking lot debris (small stones and the like) without many hassles in the durability department.
- Reasonably quick (faster than my MLST2 LE, but doesn't need to be as fast as my merv)
- Halfway decent handling
- Shaft driven 4WD (no belts for me, bad vibes from previous time in the hobby)
- 2.4ghz preferred (I get BAD glitches on 27 MHz AM in my neighborhood, and why bother with 75 Mhz when 2.4 is out?)
- Better quality than my Losi MLST2 LE (not going to strip servos or gears in the first week of ownership with moderate driving).
Here is what I have come up with, tell me if I am smoking anything and help me out.
Duratrax Vendetta Rally
Pros:
- 2.4 Ghz
- Parts support local and online
- Good body options aftermarket
- Probably the best on pavement
- I can always get the RJ Speed Bodies for better looks
Cons:
- Heard tires wear quickly on concrete/asphalt - $$$
- Maybe not the best for jumping
- Ugly stock body, that would have to get replaced
- Have to buy new packs for the car, and not LiPo ready out of the box
Duratrax Vendetta SC
Pros:
- 2.4 Ghz
- Parts support local and online
- Decent looks
- Better than the 1/16 slash on pavement
- Least expensive of the three
Cons:
- Not as good looking as the 1/16 slash VXL
- Have to buy new packs for the car, and not LiPo ready out of the box
Traxxas Slash 1/16 VXL
Pros:
- Brushless
- I don't have to buy packs since my MERV packs will fit
- Parts support local and online
- Best looking of the three
- Waterproof (Snow outside anyone?)
- LiPo ready out of the box
- Most parts shared with my MERV
Cons:
- Heard it was a handful to drive on pavement. Worst handling of the three
- Most expensive of the three
- To go 2.4, figure at least another $70
- It's a MERV with shorter arms and a different body.
I really am having a hard time deciding. The 1/16 slash wins for speed, looks, and for parts simplicity (most shared with merv), but the handling issues worry me.
The SC seems to be the most balanced of the three, but then I think to myself that I already have two trucks, and so much want a car.
The Rally car is probably my favorite right now, but that body would have to go. I also have had plenty of touring / rally cars in the past and inevitably they have broken a belt or gotten ground gears due to pebbles.
Thoughts?