Graphixaddict

Alright, so ive been lurking for a week or so and searching through old posts...but i still cant seem to really find a good answer to what i should get. I want to keep everything i need to get started under $450, i might be able to stretch to 500, but defintaly not 550. So i guess that limits me to this list...
I wnat to be able to do a mix of on and off road, mostly grass and packed bumpy dirt. At first i was thinking i wanted a truck, but now maybe i want tosmething a bit faster more zippy on pavement but can still tear along in the dirt and grass, so maybe a buggy or truggy? i donno too many choices! help me out here people!

HPI NITRO RS4 mt 2
Tamiya TNX
Traxxas Nitro T-Maxx 2.5 RTR w/3-Channel Radio
Traxxas Stadium Maxx Nitro Truck RTR
Traxxas Jato 2.5 Stadium Truck RTR

Ofna 1/8 Ultra MBX Competition RTR w/Powerstart(dont think my local shop has parts)

i guess the jato and hpi nitro seem like good choices right now...but id like imput from you guys.
thanks for you time
B

-Inverted-

HPI MT2 18ss

snowbl!nd

Or the TNX if you want to tackle some seroius off-roading...

Graphixaddict

all i can find for the 18ss is kits, that would mean id have to buy radio parts and such and would put me over my budget i think...plus i dont really want to have to put a bunch of the car together.
thanks
B

Graphixaddict

leaning towards the Jato, whats everyone think?
B

discgolfer72

ill tell u this my 12 turn electric rc10 kicks the crap out of the jato at my local track

we do a little nitro vs electric raceing in the outdoor track while waiting for our turn to race indoors so far i have yet to be beaten by nitro running my 9t speedgems motor in a hoped up orignal rc10 (20 year old car)

Graphixaddict

already decided to not get electric

discgolfer72

just letting u know the jato may not be your best choice if u want speed

-Inverted-

The MT2 18ss kit is only $330. That leaves $170 for the rest of the stuff which is easily do-able. You will eventually need to learn how it works and how to take it apart when it comes time to replace broken parts. Doing it this way can be fun,and teaches you how it's put together and where everything is.

Roscco

HPI MT2 18ss is a great choice, i have built 2 of them and the performance/durability of them is fantastic for the outlay. Plenty hop-ups available too for keeping you entertained in the future. just my .02

Graphixaddict

hmm, how broken down is the hpi 18ss, is it like evry piece is apart, or the main part of the truck is together? I dont really want to have to paint the body. plus i wanna be able to get like standard accessories, batteries, fuel bottle, fuel, all that stuff...

still think the hpi?

B

Rs43EVOman

Definently get the 18SS. You will have more then enough money when your done, so you can spend that on things like fuel, glowplugs, igniter ect.

Also painting a body is very easy, of course your not gonna make a crazy airbrushed work of art, but it still truns out looking cool. All you need is to get the right spray paint, and you can paint it one color, and it will look good.

yes the car does come in a bunch of peices, but trust me it really isnt that hard. HPi makes very good instrucions, so its a little tedious but will help you sooo much later when you need to fix somthing.

-Inverted-

LOL!!!!
All you do is spray a coat of spray paint on, your making it out to be a bigger task then it is. If you want RTR just get the HPI MT2. However the 18ss version has a faster motor and better accessories.

Graphixaddict

alright...so you guys sold me on the 18ss...but i need help pricing it out so that its under 450 for EVERYTHING i need to start, including build tools.

heres what i got so far...

DuraTrax Kwik-Pit 250cc Fuel Bottle
5.99

Fuel Quart
5.99

Sanyo AA Alkaline Battery (4)
1.99

Sanyo AA Alkaline Battery (8)
3.99

HPI Nitro MT2 18SS Kit
329.99

Airtronics MX-A 2-Channel AM/1 94102Z Servo A5
62.99

Airtronics 94112Z SX112 Servo Super Standard
21.99

$430


with tax...ill be over 450 and im not even there yet... so help me out people...where do i downgrade and what am i missing to get started.

thanks
Brendan

-Inverted-

You definately dont want to downgrade. Wait to save more cash instead of going the cheap route.

Graphixaddict

no, the problem is not that i dont have the cash, its just that i have decided what im going to spend to get started and im not just going to switch it to start getting better things. 450 is what ill spend to get off the ground. so if i have to pick a different truck ill get a different truck. ideas?
thanks
B

Roscco

I don't live in the USA so i know **** about tax, however all in here in the UK, i can buy the 18ss, and everything needed to get it to run for about £360, £259.99 for the truck, and £100 for radio and nitro starter pack.

If i can do this with extortionate UK prices, am sure you can do it to. Ask your LHS about a starter pck that includes everything you need to get going. Muchos cheaper than buying individually.

-Inverted-

Just remember, if you buy a cheap radio ($50), then when it comes time to upgrade to a nice 3ch radio ($130) you will have spent $180 instead of $130. Just something to think about. If your going to get the cheap electronics you might as well just get the MT2 RTR.

Graphixaddict

lol roscco thats $620 american!!

inverted if i have to skimp on the radio for now, i guess ill just have to do that, in 6 months when my summer job is done then ill upgrade some stuff...i dont really mind that. So, on that note, if you could help me put together the best package for under 450 that would be a great help.
thanks
B

tinky-winky

The XTM Xcellerator is a very good value truck, and goes at least 45mph stock. Its 250$ from towerhobbies, and another 50$ is all you need to spend to complete it with fuel etc.

Graphixaddict

you think thats bettr than the Traxxas Jato 2.5 Stadium Truck RTR, Traxxas Stadium Maxx Nitro Truck RTR?


what about

Hot Bodies 1/8 Lightning Stadium RR RTR
at 430$ all it needs is fuel and batteries.

or this

Hot Bodies Lightning Stadium 10 RTR
at 315$ gives me room to upgrade a bit right away.


comon people help me out here!

thanks
B

Graphixaddict

what about the XTM x-celerator. at 220, even after all the essentials that leaves me with 100$ for upgrades.

thanks
B

-Inverted-

They are all pretty good, but Traxxas and HPI will be easier to find parts for.

tinky-winky

I'd go with it.