Top dollar, eh? Not really.
In 1988, a Team Associated RC10 with bearings from Tower Hobbies was $174.99. Today, a brand new B4.1 Brushed RTR buggy,
including motor, servo, receiver, ESC and a transmitter is $194.97. By U.S. standard dollar inflation calculations, that basic RC10 buggy would cost
$313.28 with today's money. Would you buy a
basic RC10 for that today?
Every time I see someone complaining about the cost of cars, motors, radios and batteries I have to laugh. The R/C industry has experienced almost ZERO adjustment for inflation over the last 25 years, yet people continue to believe that they are being ripped off at every turn.
Just for the sake of argument, even though off topic slightly, here's some prices of standard race gear for 1988 (in US$)...
- Trinity Modified handwound motor... $54.95
- Schumacher XLS 4wd kit... $265.00
- Trinity Sanyo matched 7-cell SCE pack... $54.99
- Tekin BEC100 battery charger... $84.95
- Novak NESC1 ESC... $119.99
- Futaba 3PG radio... $164.99
Notice how little that the prices have changed for the items we all use over the last 22 years. This isn't because companies are afraid you won't buy things if they cost more, it's because manufacturing capabilities have increased drastically for a niche hobby, and cars like the B4 can be made much more efficiently than in 1988.
China manufacturing is part of reason for that, even if they also tend to be part of the quality problem, as well. I'm sure that will change as competition increases globally.
Personally, I'd like to still be able to buy a new BMW M3 for 1988 prices (about $34k USD).
doug