Picked up another hobby...

kevinatfms

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I would love to get into this one day.

Right now, we have small-ish townhouse with two kittens, so, this would be rough to add to the mix.

What is realistically the most reliable brand RC car that you can have a lot of fun with?

I think the ARRMA vehicles are about the toughest thing youre going to get these days. Depending on size, check out the 1/10 Senton or 1/8 scale Outcast. Both are incredibly durable and stupid fast on 4s.
 

IronSnake

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I love this thread.

It reminds me that when I started building PC's again just to avoid the expense of cars, I ended up still spending just as much money, it was just on another hobby.

I don't feel so alone anymore.
 

13COBRA

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I love this thread.

It reminds me that when I started building PC's again just to avoid the expense of cars, I ended up still spending just as much money, it was just on another hobby.

I don't feel so alone anymore.

100% what happened to me.
 

Jibber

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When I was on FB, someone put together a limited run for an 03-04 Cobra RC car body.
My idea was to build the RC car and have it be a "copy" of my car etc....
It seems like this hobby can drain the wallet fast.
If I wanted a "middle of the road" build, what's a ballpark that I should be looking to spend?
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13COBRA

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When I was on FB, someone put together a limited run for an 03-04 Cobra RC car body.
My idea was to build the RC car and have it be a "copy" of my car etc....
It seems like this hobby can drain the wallet fast.
If I wanted a "middle of the road" build, what's a ballpark that I should be looking to spend?View attachment 1616632View attachment 1616633View attachment 1616634View attachment 1616635

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That's awesome. I've been trying to find someone to make me a Viper ACR body.

You should be able to be all in for $600 or so.
 

03cobra#2

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Is the bottom one an Ofna GT LX? I had one of those (Still do, but it's in storage) and it brings back great memories!!!

Mine were:
Ofna GT LX
Traxxas Stampede 2wd
Sure is. Runs a cheapie dynamite sport 21, and a few upgrades including a 2 speed trans. Bought it new in 2001 and still fun to fire up and rip around the yard.

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04SVT_COBRA

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Nice, I remember back in middle school I was absolutely obsessed with the Schumacher Menace. For a year I looked at magazines and the internet almost daily to drool over how cool it looked and how much fun I would have with it. At the time, I was not on my parents good side so they had zero interest in spending $500 on me. Years later, I showed them by saving up enough money to buy an electric RC helicopter. After spending almost $1.5K and getting about 30-45 seconds on flight time, I left the RC game never to return haha. I would like to get a drone at some point though, maybe even get into FPV.
 

gimmie11s

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Uh, do you work for Pro-Line? If so, please hook a fellow SVTP guy up!

Answered my own question. That is awesome. You guys make some awesome stuff.

Looks like he does...

Banning is like 30 min from me too haha.

Good thing i got out of this hobby decades ago. There is too much cool shit out right now that would keep my bank account empty.
 

03cobra#694

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Looks like he does...

Banning is like 30 min from me too haha.


Good thing i got out of this hobby decades ago. There is too much cool shit out right now that would keep my bank account empty.
Like the real shit isn’t expensive enough. I dropped a shit load on boats and Helis years ago.
 

kevinatfms

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That's awesome. I've been trying to find someone to make me a Viper ACR body.

You should be able to be all in for $600 or so.

He could do it for MUCH less depeding on the scale of that Cobra body. If its 1/10 190mm or 200mm touring car he could build a budget brushless Tamyia TT01E or TT02 for under $300 including electronics. If that Cobra body is 1/8 scale then $600 would be a cheaper build as the 1/8 scale electronics are not cheap.
 

kevinatfms

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When I was on FB, someone put together a limited run for an 03-04 Cobra RC car body.
My idea was to build the RC car and have it be a "copy" of my car etc....
It seems like this hobby can drain the wallet fast.
If I wanted a "middle of the road" build, what's a ballpark that I should be looking to spend?
Sent from my SM-N975U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

For a first kit or time running these i suggest staying at a budget level. If you want to go further into the wallet draining hobby then start going further down the rabbit hole.

Budget Brushed Motor Build:
Tamiya TT02 - $103(kit includes motor and esc)
Fast Eddy Bearing Set - $20(use coupon code 88966 for 10% discount)
Flysky GT3B transmitter/receiver - $40
Savox 1251 low profile servo - $60 and worth every penny
Polycarbonate paint for the Cobra body that matches your car - $15-20
SMC Racing 2s Battery - $30
2s lipo charger w/ lipo safe bag - $75(you can find cheaper)


Budget Brushless Build:
Tamiya TT02 - $103
Fast Eddy Bearing Set - $20(use coupon code 88966 for 10% discount)
Hobbywing 10BL60 ESC - $60(you can find a "take off" on Ebay from a Redcat Volcano EPX for less)
Hobbywing 3300kv 540 size brushless motor - $40(you can find a "take off" on Ebay from a Redcat Volcano EPX for less)
Savox 1251 low profile servo - $60
Flysky GT3B transmitter/receiver - $40
Polycarbonate paint for the Cobra body that matches your car - $15-20
SMC Racing 2s Battery - $40
2s lipo charger w/ lipo safe bag - $75

The Tamiya cars can handle mild brushless use. If you want to go balls out on anything over a 2s lipo you're going to need to start looking into cars with full metal drivetrain which drastically increases the cost of just the chassis alone. The brushed build will go approx. 15mph but can be upgraded with different brushed motors to make it a bit faster(the Tamiya 540 black can is an upgrade for $30).

The brushless build will go about 5-10mph faster on the stock gearing but with a significant bigger punch when you pull the trigger.

The TT02 has a speed gearing option parts set that can make both go even faster. There are also a ton of Tamiya option parts to add to it if you want to go wild. Everything can be upgraded - chassis, shocks, drivetrain....etc. There is no limit.

And in the event you ever want to get into racing it....Tamiya has a Tamiya Championship Series that runs all over the US which has a stock class touring car class which the brushed version above would fit into. I started racing in the TCS back in 1996 in the stock class and it was some of the most fun ive ever had in R/C racing. Everyone is evenly matched and it made for amazing racing. Worth a look if you dont want to spend a ton but get a bit more fun out of the car.

Hope this helps!
 
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kevinatfms

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Ill quote a mid level build just in case you want to go pretty crazy with the power. I replaced the steering servo as the stock Traxxas servos are garbage but you can save $60 by keeping the stock Traxxas servo. The VXL power system is so overpowered it really doesnt need to be replaced. Please note on 3s this car will EASILY top 60mph or more. Traxxas quotes 70mph but getting to that speed means a large open space and no crosswinds. This is a bit more than the $600 budget that @13COBRA suggested but this car will absolutely fly.

Mid Grade Brushless Build:
Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 RTR(no body) - $349 on A-Main Hobbies
Spektrum DX5C w/ receiver - $160
Savox 1251 servo - $70
SMC Racing 3s lipo - $60
Polycarbonate paint for the Cobra body that matches your car - $15-20
LiPo charger w/ fire safe bag - $75

I have had an older 4-tec but not the newer 2.0 model. I have heard its an absolutely great chassis though and knowing Traxxas they will be making it for years so parts will be plentiful. Option parts will also be plentiful so no problem going even more wild.
 

ur bittn

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Looks like he does...

Banning is like 30 min from me too haha.

Good thing i got out of this hobby decades ago. There is too much cool shit out right now that would keep my bank account empty.
+1 on that! Yes I have worked a Proline for 11 yrs. just scored one of the last Kits. We will not be making kit anymore.
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13COBRA

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I put the word in on the Viper Body and now that I see the Cobra Body I’m going to bring it up also. The Drag cars are getting big.

Don't get me too excited over nothing...
 

James Snover

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I wish I enjoyed something inexpensive, like knitting or something.

Friday I purchased a Traxxas XO-1 RC car. 100mph out of the box. It's a blast. I went through a set of tires on Saturday sliding across the asphalt and doing some controlled drifting.

Today I bought a Traxxas Ultimate Desert Racer, hopefully it's here in the next couple of days! I figured a 4x4 would be a little more fun as it can actually go in the grass/dirt/snow/etc.

I'll get some actual video in the coming weeks.

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Who else has played in the electric RC game?
Great cars! Electric RC is the only way to go.

My wife knits. It is not cheap. Not far off from horses and aircraft, cost wise.
 

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