I have to say, the reviews I have done supported by the manufacturers, JConcepts, XFactory etc. They have just been happy to have a review on my site and never mentioned anything.
Needless to say, even if I buy a car myself, it is useful to get technical help or advice / interviews with the companys. But generally, if they don't want to help with a car they will not help in any other way either, thats true in 100% of cases so far.
I can give examples of companys that have asked me to give favourable reviews, but there are none of those companies products reviewed on this website :)

HEEHEE

jimmy,

would you care to share the address of the japanes shop you pe-ordered the TRF501 from ? I've had enough with the ZX5 after it blew another bevel gear and two shockseals today. I guess it's just not made for high grip astroturf tracks. :mad: So i'm in the market for another 4WD for 2007 and I like the look of the TRF501.

PM sent! :)

All,

Found this site whilst browsing (ok, whilst searching for 501).

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/news/news0611/news1.htm

It would seem to indicate that its 79800 Yen (thats £360) and would be released in Jan. It had better be something special for that!!!!!

....

quote


As posted previously the TRF501X will be released December 2nd, list price is 79800 yen. Price in shops will be considerably lower.

The production version TRF501X is currently displayed at the Hobby Show in Japan. All Tamiya now...suspension, dampers etc. Tamiya wheels with Losi front hex and Associated style rear.

Here are some pics.

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbysho...hoto/49401.jpg
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbysho...to/49401_3.jpg
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0112.JPGhttp://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0108.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0120.JPG


More here:

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbysho...ews1.htm#49401
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs-1.htm
http://www.hobby-one.co.jp/hobby/ta.htmlhttp://www.oople.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif


end quote








Very nice, its lost a little bling but still looks great.
It doesn't appear to have vertical camber link adjustment front or rear, inside or out. but from the looks of it, those inner camber link braces look like they can be raised / lowered which would be a nice feature and make for quick and easy changes.
The wheels front and rear look like exact copies of losi front and proline rear wheels which isn't a surprise - I just wonder what fitment they use. I'd guess the same as their predecessors.
This certainly looks like the best Tamiya 4wd ever made, with the possible exception of the Avante maybe (for sheer coolness).
I can't wait to try fit these parts to my bj4 and see if it works! haha

I might have to order the one way


btw, that new DF03 shell looks cool also.

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbysho...hoto/58380.jpg

btw, why'd you delete your post kentech ? just wondered

I am a little unsure on the F1 inspired DF03 shell, but the 501X just looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet....

ooo offroad TRF shocks.... hopefully as easy to put together as the onroad ones...

Wonder if the front arms'll fit the BJ4WE... might be tougher than the jconcepts ones.. :D

at least with the bj4 if you crash it into an immovable object, you always know whats broken before its happened, and you can fix it in a couple of minutes.
but I'd still prefer some bendy wishbones that absorb a little impact - I will certainly try them on the bj anyway! :D

wow, that shell looks awesome!

Those tamiya designers certainly know how to knock up a lovely shell don't they!

Awesome, my next buggy will most probably be the TRF....but i wont be able to make a decision till ive seen what the Hotbodies one looks like :( ....its all so exciting...there is so many buggies around at the moment!

A nice close up of the shocks here http://yaggy.exblog.jp/
Little bit Losi little bit Associated/Yok...

Wonder how long till they make an all plastic version of this!!??

I just moved it to the other 501X thread as that was the original one and had more info in it. So that's why I deleted it from this one... :)

Ahh right ,I had already replied so didnt notice your post in the other thread since this thread was on top (ooh, how complex!)

anyway, looks ace. I ordered the one way today also - oh, and the mad df03 buggy - need to sell my impact now I guess.:)

OK. I'm officially on the pre-order list for the TRF501. Thanks Jimmy :thumrigh:

Jimmy, are you sure the center oneway isn't included ? Looking at the pics, I see something very similar to the Yokomo BX center oneway.

Yea the 501X might well have a centre one way, hope so. But I was refering to the one-way diff thats shown in one of the photos - unfortunately I can't get a price on it at the moment but it should be released with or just after the car.

where you gettin 'em from? I've noticed that R10 have now sold out.

pm sent

Three words
Losi Front Wheels! On a show car this close to production has to be a good thing...