RC / Model Cars

[parkside21]

So, I'm looking for a hobby to do this summer while watching Brewers games and movies on TV. I've been leaning towards model cars, as they've always sort of intrigued me. I have absolutely no experience with them though, other than I know they sell kits for 10-15 dollars at Hobby Lobby and such, and then I assume I'd have to buy paints, knives, glue, cement and everything else seperately. So, any tips or recommendations on how or where to go to get started? If it helps, I live in the Appleton area, and work near Oshkosh.

 

Also, while model cars interest me, I think it'd be much more fun to assemble a car that I can actually make move, hence an RC car. I was looking online and see that Radio Shack sells "mod" RC cars that you can put together, the kits seem to run about 50 dollars. I don't want to just buy an RC car that is ready to drive, I want to actually build something that I have to put time into and will occupy me for several hours/days/weeks whatever. Like I said, I'd prefer to keep it somewhat cheap though if possible in the beginning, and I know this hobby can get pretty expensive. Any suggestions? Do they sell RC kits that I can assemble, like they do with model cars?

 

I assume there are at least a couple of people that are still into this hobby? I'm sure I can order from some sort of catalog, but if possible, I'd rather buy from a store at first, so I can see what I'm getting.

 

Anyone have suggestions?

[logan82]

Smaller RC cars. Most come ready to run, but all can be upgraded. Probably more expensive than you are looking for though. I have one of the Radlines vehicles which I bought at Target for around $50. Not as good as the ones they sell on this site.

Link

[parkside21]

Logan, thanks for the link. I think I'm maybe leaning towards those Xmods Evo things that they sell at Radio Shack (50) and the link you provided (55), specifically the Nissan GT-R. I suppose for that price it's a decent starting package that won't set me back too much if I decide I'm really not into it, and can just pass it off to my nephews. Though, it looks like as you start buying extra parts/mods/batteries, the prices can escalate quickly. I still wish there was more "assembly" that had to be done though, but I suppose I'll roll with it for the time being, and can always go back to the old model car kits if I'm looking for something more time consuming.

 

Anyone else have any other ideas/suggestions on how to get into this hobby?

[Hammer]

I would look on Ebay or Craigslist for a used truck/car...seriously. Then I would go to Hobbytown in Oshkosh. It is on the corner of 9th and Oregon and the people there are AMAZING to work with. The staff will help you with any mod to the vehicle that you could ever imagine. This is WAY cheaper than buying a new car/truck and you will get a LOT more gratification out of it. I personally have a Stampede that was purchased new from Hobbytown and while getting a ready to run model was nice, I have put a ton of money into it in mods and fixes. My next truck/car will be used...and then modded like crazy.

 

I'm 31 and starting back in to RC stuff after 15-20 years has been a blast!

[logan82]

One thing to consider when buying an RC is where you plan to drive it. I bought and X-mod from Radio Shack. It was really cool and a lot of fun. The one problem was that I needed a very flat, clean surface to run it on like a big basement.(the X-mods get pretty fast with the motor upgrades) If it hit even a small pebble it would flip over. That is why I went with a Radline. I am not necessarily recommending a Radline. I know very little about RC cars. Just trying to help with my limited experience.

 

I had a Subaru WRX X-mod. I did an all-wheel drive and motor upgrade. Like you said, they are cheap and if you don't enjoy yourself you haven't sunk much money into it. I just felt I didn't get as much enjoyment out of it as I could have. It had very little ground clearance.

 

I would look on Ebay or Craigslist for a used truck/car...seriously. Then I would go to Hobbytown in Oshkosh. It is on the corner of 9th and Oregon and the people there are AMAZING to work with. The staff will help you with any mod to the vehicle that you could ever imagine. This is WAY cheaper than buying a new car/truck and you will get a LOT more gratification out of it.

 

I wish I had done something like this actually.

 

Any particular vehicles/brands you would reccomend? I am looking for something smaller with ground clearance, all wheel/4 wheel drive, and electric.

[Hammer]

Hey Logan - I have had absolutely great luck w/ Traxxas. Their products are good and their customer support/warranty service is even better. Plus, if you are in the Fox Valley you really cannot beat Hobby Town in Oshkosh. I know that I have pimped them twice now but I am not an employee or a relative of the owner...I am just really satisfied w/ their service/knowledge. They have helped me go from an RC moron to a guy that can now fix nearly anything on my truck in only one year. Traxxas.com would be a great place to start if you are looking at new/different models...

[eanelson4]

www.towerhobbies.com

 

If you want to get serious, go there and buy a nitro car/truck/stadium truck. They are a blast and absoluetly fly! I used to have one, but got rid of it a couple of years back. I anticipate that I will get one again at some point.

 

On the downside, they can be a bit pricey. I think my stadium truck was around $300-400 when I bought it. As I said, if you have a place to drive these big trucks (a big back yard, cabin, etc) where you can build some jumps and stuff, they are great fun. I'm not sure how much this would fulfill your "wanting to build it" request, though. I'm sure you can probably find some on the TowerHobbies website that aren't ready to run and require you to build it.

[logan82]

Traxxxas looks like they are coming out with a really good 1/16 truck in late May early June. I am leaning towards either a Losi Mini-LST2 or Associated RC-18MT.