TRF501X - still at the front?

[chrispattinson]

There have been quite a few alternative 4WD buggys available since I got my TRF501X, but I've not really been tempted by any of them.

For those of you making the switch, why? what have other cars got to offer?
For those wise guys not making the switch, do you agree that nothing is better than the 501X at the moment?

Personally, I dont think anyhting is as easy to drive fast and as strong. There are plenty fast cars out there, but they all seem to shed parts at the clip of a hose.

Discuss.

[jimmy]

Lots of nice cars have been released in the last couple of years since the 501X came out - but I can't really afford to be buying loads of cars and I'm still happy with how my 501X has gone/is going.

[mole2k]

I've certainly never driven a car as strong as my 501, i've had a few big crashes in it and it just seems to bounce of everything. On the slippery floors I race on it suits my driving the best of any other car i've driven.

[steveproracing]

we have been campaining the car since its release and have found it to be fantastic.strong reliable and responsive to minor setup change(although it rarely needs much deviation from our standard setup to be dialled everywhere). it would take something major for me to change!!!!!!!!!
the 501x is still as competative as any other car on the market.

[A.J. Gee]

Originally Posted by steveproracing

we have been campaining the car since its release and have found it to be fantastic.strong reliable and responsive to minor setup change(although it rarely needs much deviation from our standard setup to be dialled everywhere). it would take something major for me to change!!!!!!!!!
the 501x is still as competative as any other car on the market.

I was just wondering, Do you work for Tamiya?

[A.J. Gee]

I know that what i am about to say is kinda random and off topic, but does anyone know where B Mag is. The kid disappeared it seems for a while now. Is he still alive?

[jpgranone]

Honestly, I would love to race one in the states after hearing everything you all say about them. My issue comes down to cost and availability. So I am racing Associated now. If Tamiya had better support in the US maybe it would be different.

[MRD]

Got my 501WE last week, £190 with tyres. Some guy had bought one, built the chassis (a fantastic job he did too) stuck it back in the box and traded it in for a HiLift. His loss my gain

[AaronR]

Originally Posted by jpgranone

Honestly, I would love to race one in the states after hearing everything you all say about them. My issue comes down to cost and availability. So I am racing Associated now. If Tamiya had better support in the US maybe it would be different.

Find a used one and stock up on belts and center pulleys. Sure, some parts break with crashes and that but it is VERY reliable car. Go USA!

[GRIFF55]

I love my 501 but the only issue is spares availability in the uk. There are some places that stock them, but if you do happen to break something strange at a national then there is little chance of getting that part.
The car handles amazing and i'm sure if there was more backing from tamiya in the uk then the car would be so much more popular

[Howard1650]

I love this car. Great build, and easy to run.

Parts are available from flee-bay and some UK stores. But never needed many. Only broken 1 belt & pulley, plus a front wishbone. In 50 cell packs.

(May be I need to drive harder )

[DCM]

Andy, I deal with a shop, and when I ask for any TRF bit, Hobby Co tell them, not in stock (if they actualy have record of the item) as there has been no demand for the chassis.... he does try to explain, well, you import them and sell them at a reasonable price, people will buy them, when they are saving so much buying from HK, they won't buy here.

So, with Hobby Co, it is a chicken and egg thing grrrrr

[GRIFF55]

Such a shame, the car is soooo good even without loads of drivers on the car giving lots of setups for it. Imagine how good it would be if there were lots testing different things

[DCM]

I know, don't need to tell me that!!! they could be awesome, shame the distributor is pants.... and up until now, you could even buy the budget kits cheaper in honk kong, shipped, than a shop could buy them trade from Hobby Co.

[Colinevan]

My opinion is the car is still more than capable....

Iv not had chance to set the car up this season, and have generally been running it all year the same. My lack of knowledge on setting a car up is lacking and i bet i have only raced 9 to 10 times this year though.

I never really got on with the worlds car, and ended up reverting back to a std car with a setup similar to what i ran last season and ended up leaving it.

I was honestly bored with it, and fancied a cat sx, however with work drying up and me being out of work for 4 weeks now, i went to bury with the 501.. ended up having a chat with steveproracing, who basically advised on quite a number of things, and i absoloutely loved the car, so much faster, more turn in, happy all over, its just a shame that i had problems with silly things in all my races that i didnt get a good heat result. Finals went ok, but was taken out on the first corner. but managed to get to sencond for the finish.

A few things on my behalf, that were obvious to other pro drivers that my shocks had way to much pack, and my pistons were way to small.. its all sorted now though and its a thoroughly different car.

Lovin it as they say.

Col.

[pugs]

The 501x is the best car I have driven in about 10 years,it handles superb on all tracks ive been too, simple to set up,really strong,the parts are cheap so you can keep a few in stock, what more do you need?

[BORMAC]

Being a real lover of all things Schumacher you'd think that with the new CAT out I'd swap over,but infact Im not even tempted. The 501x is a superb buggy and I hope im the last guy on earth still racing one in years to come. I dont care how old a car gets,or how hard parts are to find,I enjoy driving cars that hold some kind of sentiment.
Sure,anyone can go out and grab a B44 but I dont want to.

[DaveG28]

Just wanted to resurrect this thread a bit, as have spent the last few meetings running my Worlds, first time since early last summer.

Of all the cars I've tried I still run (a little!) quicker with the Tamiya. For me the major plus points are it's strong, kit setup works virtually everywhere, and it's very forgiving! I wouldn't say I find it the "sharpest", but overall for me it is a top top car!!

[mole2k]

I've found the 501 to not be that sharp but to be very easy and forgiving. I always gave the slumbering nature of it to the extra weight it carried compared to the zx5 I raced before that. I faster with the 501 than I have been with any other car, although I did have a go on a Cat SX a few weeks ago and found it was very nice to drive and I think I could well in one of those.

I don't see any reason to change though.

[AaronR]

Originally Posted by mole2k

I don't see any reason to change though.

Good to hear! Let's keep the 501X/511 alive and well everywhere!