Me, Me, Me. A guide to what I might want from an RC. [Please help!]

[Bubbles]

So, I want an RC car. Truck, buggy - you'll have to forgive me on the lingo. For the moment, anyway. :P I'm new to all this.

Knowing no-one who's into the hobby, a bit of 'research' lead me to the Traxxas Rustler VXL. Seems rugged, quickish, fun, something that I can mess about with in the local rural areas, on't break too easily, etc, etc.

Or so I thought.

Turns out a mate at work used to race Touring Cars in his youth. And win. Whilst walking past my machine, he sees the modelsport website up, has a "moment"and promptly talks RC for the rest of the day. He says I need a nitro buggy. I tell him to forget the nitro bit. We come to a compromise, and I'm sent to look at Team Associated. And, seemingly, the transition from toy to tool.

Now, these buggys look cool, but seemingly - from the uneducateds point of you - primarily for race/competition, rather than messing about. Or do I have this wrong? I'm not looking to race. Well, not yet, anyway. I just want something fun, that'll deal with tarmac, dirt, gravel, speed bumps - a real 'all-rounder' appeal. Do buggies cope well with this kind of useage, or are they better suited to 'track' indoor use rather than non-race usage?

Before I start looking at specific models in a particular 'style', I need to work out which kinda RC is going to be best suited to me.

I love the cheeky appeal of the 1/16-1/18 micro trucks, especially with some bonkers brushless power, but I'm not too sure how they cope with off road stuff.

Anyway; buggies. Race machines, or all around abuse takers at the hands of the unskilled?

[Chequered Flag Racing]

were do live?

there maybe a club near to you that you could visit to help you in your quest to take up a great hobby

[Bubbles]

I live in Barnet, which is in Sunny Hertfordshire/North London.
I work in Harlow, which is just about in Essex.

[AmiSMB]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

I live in Barnet, which is in Sunny Hertfordshire/North London.
I work in Harlow, which is just about in Essex.

There is a very large 1/8th club which is the Herts Model Club which has a track at Westmill Farm, Ware, SG12 0ES. They have a race meeting on this Sunday. I would recommend that you pop over and have a look and see if you really do not want to race

[JCJC]

Well Bubbles, I guess for pucker 10th clubs you have Stotfold up the A1 near Baldock or DMS in Watford.

Stotfold one evening & Sundays, all Buggys, outside on astro, no need to be intimidated,
web at: http://www.stotfoldmcc.co.uk/www/
Local shop at: http://www.theraceplace.co.uk/

DMS run one evening -some electric buggys- other times nitro
web at: http://www.modelcarclub.co.uk/index.php?
Shop at: http://www.dms-racing.com/

Worth your while to pop up to Stotfold one Sunday & into the DMS & Raceplace shops, both would have a good selection of buggys from Associated, the Associated B4 2 wheel drive RTR, (ready to run) may be a good place to start

Looks like we are duplicating posts, what service !!

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by JCJC

the Associated B4 2 wheel drive RTR, (ready to run) may be a good place to start

Looks like we are duplicating posts, what service !!

Assuming the B4 is a 2WD variant of the B44?

[JCJC]

Yea, learning already, much simpler only rear wheels driven, lots about, every other driver has one, lots of advice and easy to get spares, some secondhand in the for sale section. Look around before buying, this can be a costly hobby. There is also a 10th Touring Club in Hillingdon.

(our purple one as an avitar)

[josh_smaxx]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Assuming the B4 is a 2WD variant of the B44?

Sort of but other way round, the B44 came after the B4, they share a few parts but dont really look the same at all. Both very good cars though, not world champions for nothing

[jimmy]

If you want a much about, then something a bit bigger than the micro stuff will at least allow you to drive it on some rough ground / grass etc. I don't really think Nitro is that ideal for someone getting into it, they need more looking after and can be frustrating to start and maintain if you're not that 'into' it.
Never owned a traxxas vehicle but the rustler is probably one that'd suit you well. For mucking about a 2wd buggy or truck would be a good idea. 4WD buggys are great but there's more to go wrong - so that's up to you.
I had loads of RC's when I was younger, but I got a tamiya m03 mini a few years ago (around 2000) and played with that for ages, it was awesome and I still have it. Then I bought a losi 2wd buggy used off ebay in 2002 with the intention of just mucking about with it in the woods. It was such a nice buggy that I decided to go try race it and here I am now - not much better! haha.

Anyway, there's loads of choices around, some better for racing, some better for play - just depends what you think you'll want most.

[jim76]

Living in barnet, your local club would be DMS based near j21A on the M25.
www.modelcarclub.co.uk for info on the club. Worth popping down one evening (thursday is race night) to see what these things can do in a race environment. Racing them against others is far more fun than just bashing in a park on your own.

Darren runs the club and he also owns DMS racing, a shop not far from the track. Pop in one day and have a chat with him, he's really helpful and will advise you of something suitable. He also stocks all the spares for them.

[Bubbles]

Fantastic - A41 near Watford is only a short drive away, for DMS. Will pop along and see what all the fuss is about! :P

I must say, at first glance, and going on my work-friends suggestions, the B44 seems current pick. It's a kit, which is partly scary - I can just about master Lego Technic - but in theory a good move, given that after I've built it, maintenance/repairing should be easier, and less daunting. And I figure there's a few patient folk out there who could help me along.