Overwhelmed and clueless... Need Help!

[JamesMaz]

Hi guys,

I'm after a car for mainly messing about over the summer holidays with my son. I first spotted the cheap NitroTek XSTR but was put off by apparent lack of parts and cheap components.

I next looked at the rather attractive green Monster Smacker. A quick google search suggests I should chose the Mad Rat over the Smacker though as its stronger and has a sealed drivetrain. I understand there is a problem with the shocks though, so what part would be recommended as a replacement, and how much?

My budget is around £150 or so. With this I'd like a strong reliable car that is fast and fun, with the possibility of it being upgraded in the future, controls, at least 2 x 3000mAh batteries, a quick charger and any other gear required to get it running.

Or, would it be possible to get the X-Pro within this budget?

Other question I have: are on-road wheels/tyres available for buggies so we can have a bit of car park fun? Do I need to buy the same make as the car manufacturer? Or it is just a case of knowing size and offset? I'd like to put fat wheels on the front if I go for 2WD just to make it look a little better

Are these models (or any other suggestions) ok with wet tarmac, grass, sand, etc?

Finally, can you recommend as good reliable shops to buy from online or in South Wales? Everything is just so overwhelming its hard to know where to turn.

As much information you can provide would be greatly appreciated

[peetbee]

Hi and welcome!
From what I've seen the madrat would be better than the master smacker and is available ready to run for about £100 which would leave you some budget to get more batteries, etc.

The kit shocks would be fine to start off with and you may be able to pick up some better ones cheaply in time.
I doubt you'd get the xpro within your budget.
Wheels for the madrat use a 12mm hex so there are plenty out there that should fit without you having to buy them from ansmann.

Another one worth considering is the Thunder Tiger Pheonix, basically a rebadged Associated RC10B3, again available for around £110 RTR.

Where are you in South Wales? You'd be more than welcome to come along on a Friday night to Caldicot club to have a chat about the various cars, etc (or we'll be there all day next Sunday).

[JamesMaz]

Hiya mate,

I'm in Bridgend (sadly ). Would love to look at club meets and races one day if either my son or I get in to it, but for now its just for messing about..

So would you take a standard Thunder Tiger Phoenix over a standard Mad Rat, or not?

Is it available in kit form do you know?

Great news about the wheels too, thanks

Are modelsport trustworthy and competitive, or should I look elsewhere?

[stox217]

how about a second hand b4's ect?

[Matt Airbrushing]

If you are considering racing then I would recommend going to your local club before you spend any money.

Its very easy to buy something unsuitable as a basher and then find you cant race it or its very expensive to upgrade.

The madrat RTR is pretty good value for money and is perfectly competitive in club racing for a beginner. However most of the guys at my club have upgraded the radio, shocks, motor and other parts for racing... if you are planning on racing then its generally better to buy the right things first, rather than have to upgrade later.

For raicing a lipo battery and a decent charger will be better than a few NIMH packs, but a single battery isnt great for bashing as you get less run time.

[JamesMaz]

Originally Posted by stox217

how about a second hand b4's ect?

Mainly because I don't know where to get second hand gear or who to trust... and, I like new stuff

[JamesMaz]

Originally Posted by Matt Airbrushing

If you are considering racing then I would recommend going to your local club before you spend any money.

Its very easy to buy something unsuitable as a basher and then find you cant race it or its very expensive to upgrade.

The madrat RTR is pretty good value for money and is perfectly competitive in club racing for a beginner. However most of the guys at my club have upgraded the radio, shocks, motor and other parts for racing... if you are planning on racing then its generally better to buy the right things first, rather than have to upgrade later.

For raicing a lipo battery and a decent charger will be better than a few NIMH packs, but a single battery isnt great for bashing as you get less run time.

Thanks for your help Matt, but even if my son or I were to get in to racing it wouldn't be for a very long time, and I would be happy to buy again and keep the old one for continuous bashing The reason for talk of upgrading is more about shocks that don't pop their tops, fatter wheels & tyres and general spare parts which might need replacing at some point anyway.

[Matt-Photo]

Are modelsport trustworthy and competitive, or should I look elsewhere?

Certinally trustworthy, and their prices seem OK to me.

Apex are good too.

[JamesMaz]

Thanks

So far I'm liking the 2.4Ghz controller stuff, sealed drivetrain and slipper clutch with the Phoenix BX II, but its just so damn butt-ugly

To confuse things further, what about the LRP S10 Blast BX RTR Buggy?

[JamesMaz]

ok, so here's my shortlist...


4WD Master Smacker
4WD LRP Blast BX S10
2WD Mad Rat
2WD Thunder Tiger Phoenix BXII

I'm leaning toward the Phoenix BXII because of the covered drivetrain, slipper clutch and better radio gear... although the 4WD models look so much nicer.. Am I making the right decision?

[Edit to add] I guess I could use the 2.4ghz radio gear from the Phoenix with a different kit at some point in the future, right? Like if I wanted to get a barebones Smacker or something down the road. Hope I'm right on this...

[JamesMaz]

Quick update...

I bought the Phoenix BX II... err, AND the Master Smacker

Got a great deal from Chris @ Modelsport (cheers mate!) and everything, including charger, 2 batteries and 4 on-road wheels/tyres should be with me on Wednesday!

Happy days!

[peetbee]

Blimey, you don't hang about do you?!!
Have fun and if Caldicot's too far there's also a club in Cardiff (Cobra)

[JamesMaz]

Well I had to get in there quick before the wife changes her mind!


Thanks for the help, I'm sure I'll have loads more questions over the next few months, and indeed, I might pop along to a club meet one day, just to test the water

[JamesMaz]

Progress update...

The BX II is awesome! By far the best £120 I've spent in a very long time.. quick too

I've had issues with it already though. Firstly, the rear shocks were leaking when I opened the box... and after two short runs, 1 up and down the street, jumping off kerbs and the other in an open short grass field, the front shocks started leaking really bad too. The front left also locks in the fully compressed position leaving me running on three wheels. In truth, I knew I was going to have some problems, but I didn't think it would happen so quick, but the boys at Modelsport are on the case and have offered me replacement aluminium shocks free of charge.

As for the Master Smacker, I haven't had time to work on it too much other than building the front and rear diffs. Saying that, I have to strip them again as I didn't add any grease Quality of the parts does seem a little better than the Phoenix, but the chassis has much more flex to it. Only time will tell how it performs, but for now I'm quite happy popping wheelies in the BX II

[peetbee]

[JamesMaz]

Another update, sorry to bore most of you

I'm now getting a horrible whining sound from the BX II when I open the throttle up. The actual motor gear cog and big plastic cog at the back seem in perfect condition, so I guess its something to do with the diff. Time to open her up and have a look me thinks...

Fishing the rolling chassis for the Smacker too

And, I bought a Tamiya Bullhead off eBay for even more bashing!