vstrok

iTrader: (31)

Thoughts on this guys? Looking for one durable and easy to work on.

durangomania17

Traxxas Slash XL-5 is a basic hobby grade vehicle. decent resale well known. but if you are looking for less than 300 then you are out of the hobby grade cars and that I can't help with sorry. They are also durable.

vstrok

iTrader: (31)

How about the ECX trucks?

a1

iTrader: (9)

tamiya 1/10 Monster Beetle Truck 2015 2WD Kit

QDRHRSE

iTrader: (515)

I started my kid out with a Slash at the age of 5. We still have it. He just turned 8 yesterday. He's moved up to T5M and B5M and his Slash Raptor is still in pretty good shape.

jbrow1

iTrader: (28)

Started my kids off with used associated T4's when they were 5 (twins). Been a great choice as they go for a decent price used, and not much has broken to this point and they are 6. Sometimes I think they might have had more fun with an SC truck, but I dunno, they kind of go in and out of interest in running them and I don't think that's due to what type of vehicle it is. I don't think you can go wrong with any vehicle these days. I'd just recommend something bigger than a buggy, and 2wd so it's easy to work on. Good luck and have fun

durangomania17

The ECX's are not easy to work on and are not real durable (as I have seen). I have always had a slash in my fleet and they are just reliable bashing cars that they are worth the extra money. In the long run they are cheaper than most because they are durable. But you get what you pay for so the cheapest you will be working on and trying to find parts for. and getting a second hand RC only works well if you know enough about rc to know what a good deal is and how to work on the car.

Billy Kelly

iTrader: (9)

I don't have kids of my own. But my co drivers are all under 10. 2 started at 3yrs old with my Summit. If cost isn't issue. Both also drive my 2wheel and 4wheel drive Stanpedes.
Started my nephew with the 1/18 DromidaSC. Too small for grass driving, but does good on most others. Around $100 for brushed, around $150 for brushless. Going small could allow and 2nd truck for dad or mom to drive with.

crankestein

Losi 1/24 SC truck or Rallyx, brushed (around $110.00) or brushless ($180.00 or so).

underway

iTrader: (56)

Slash...

Parts everywhere and pretty durable. Traxxas radios fit smaller hands also.

Rob4607

iTrader: (3)

Ecx circuit 4wd is what is started my son on and he was 5, it took a pounding so good I bought a second for any of his friends that came over would have one. Upgrading to the 35$ savox waterproof servo made a huge improvement, then I got bored and put a vxl-3s system in his and he was all sorts of happy.

May be a bit different to work on but they have been freaking tanks for us. He's now running a sct410.2, mbx6e, mbx6te, yeti, and a yeti xl. Oh yeah a latrax rally & Teton. My list is worse, I couldn't decide....

The Ecx was the best to start with, ours were the brushed versions. For a small kid it is plenty fast enough, and if you want to watch his eyes light up and see a grin from ear to ear put in a 2s lipo.... Not a ton faster, but for my son he called it the go baby go batteries.

Crashaholic

iTrader: (2)

Slash 4x4 VXL with stampede sized tires on it. Anything smaller than 1/10 scale will get stuck on grass, etc. Same with 2wd. It will just be frustrating. Turn the end point on the throttle down and you will be good to go. You will also have something that is durable, easily repairable, and easy to get parts for. Get yourself one, too and then you will be able to swap parts

I made the same decision last year for my 4 year old and it turned out to be a great one. He even drives it on the local track when nobody else is around.

werner sline

good advice about the radio size !

I tried to get my 8 year old nephew in the rc but it didn't work out. How can you compete with TV, internet, videogames, sport activities... kids do way too much different things today and aren't really into one !

gticlay

iTrader: (14)

There's no reason not to start a 5 year old on a competitive 2wd buggy with a slower motor - 21.5 or 17.5 maybe even turned down. There's 8 year olds that can compete with people that have been racing 10+ so why not start them "right" in the first place?

Rabidtrout

I started my daughter with a T4. I have a ton of parts for it and parts support is still ok. An ECX would be fine I would think so long as your LHS carries the parts. That's kind of the bigger deal. Find out what parts your LHS carries and go from there.. You don't want to get some Tamiya kit only to find out that you have to order every single part that breaks.

4wd drive will be easier to drive, but if they can drive a 2wd, then they can pretty much drive anything.

I got my 3 year old nephew a used ECX circuit for Christmas this year. 2wd and brushed.. IMO perfect learning vehicle.