KYOSHO Optima Mid...sell or keep?

[Shorty]

Hello,

I recently found my old Kyosho Optima Mid in my Dad's loft.

In great condition as I never raced it. Several up grades fitted.

It's given me the bug to get back into rc cars, but I'm looking at racing this time at my local club (Dunfermline, Fife). Think I'd like Off-Road 1/10 2wd electric so I'm looking at the Thunder Tiger Phoenix XB or Associated RC10 B4.1.

So do I sell my old kit, or keep it to tinker with?

Might be fun to run it at the club with other old stuff, but I know if I break it I won't find many spares.

Dunno how competitive it might be if I get new batteries. Could even get a new motoer and ESC in there, but I think my limited funds would be best spent on new kit.

Then again I doubt there is much value in my old Optima Mid?

I'm undecided as you can see!....

[digitrc]

There probably is value in your Optima Mid. You will always get the going rate for it on eBay. It won't be much use as a racer any more, in part because technology has moved on, but also because spares will be difficult to find.

Whether you keep it or not is up to you!

[Caine]

I'd keep it!
We're running a vintage series at my local club at the moment, the fastest car is an Optima Mid and when you look at the lap times it is lapping only slightly slower than the modern 4wd's ( she flies! )

Get it out on the track and have some fun with her!

On another note as well i've only been back into rc for a few months and have a B4.1 Its a great car well worth the money and a bit more money for a couple of lipos and a charger and you'll be ready to go!

[Shorty]

Thanks.

Maybe I will give it a run. If I buy a new 2wd car I could still play with the old 4wd Optima Mid!

Will the motor be OK, not having been turned in anger for so long? It was never used much anyway.

Do you classic racers take it easy in case you break stuff? No argy-bargy! Is there anyway to protect my carbon shock towers and plastic suspension arms from the worst case scenario. Can't find any spares on ebay!

[Caine]

Just try it, its the only way to find out! Spares do come up for them you just have to keep looking. I wouldn't say vintage racers take it easy if it breaks then so be it. However i have got spares for my RC10 but haven't broke anything in the vintage series yet ( que for me to make a mess of it next friday !)

[Shorty]

So to get the Optima Mid running I'll need some new batteries with Tamiya connectors, though I guess I can just change these to Deans by soldering on new ones.

And Tyres. To fit something more suitable to my local track will my old Kyosho have a wheel bolt size that is still current? They are 6 sides bolts about 12mm across.

[peetbee]

Current Kyosho wheels with 12mm hexes will fit as will some tamiya and academy wheels. Apparently the Fastrax wheels have the wrong offset.

As long as they are 2.2" diameter then any modern tyre will fit.

Don't use the tamiya connectors, change to deans, you won't regret it.
Have fun!

[slowjun]

i say you keep it and play with it, though it would cash in big bucks but its the feeling of owning one. i my self had one before, would want one now. but the price is causing reason why i cant have one.