Can anyone make a recommendation as to which gas powered RC car is the best to buy? i'm looking to get one as an x-mas gift to myself. I've always wanted one as a child and now i guess i have my own money to blow on one. which brands are best? thanks in advance

 

Yeah, yeah.... me too, I've always wanted one as well. Come on someone, give us the scoop...

 

Ditto that. Always wanted one but it is big $$$ to blow on something you know ZERO about.

 

I have been running them for the last 15 years or so off and on. I started with electric and moved into the gas arena.

If you look at all of the current gas chassis in the touring car arena, most of them are based off of Serpent Impulse design. That is the car that I have and it is awesome. The new kit includes the 2-speed transmission is something that I highly recommend.

This probably is not the best entry car, but it is awesome.

Here is a link...

http://www.mytsn.com/products/downlds.asp?prid=1655

There are also some cool wallpapers there.

If you are looking at cost and don't have anything, a friend of mine bought everything that he needed including the kit and it ran him right around $1,000.00

 

SERPENT, MUGEN-SEIKI, HPI, OFNA, TRAXXAS, DURATRAX, KYOSHO, FUTABA, AIRTRONICS, O.S., MEGA, TAMIYA, DYNAMITE, HOBBICO

this is a listing of the companies the place i plan on buying from carries. now 1,000 is a lot more than i planned on spending for this. i don't need a car to compete with i need one to take out on the occasional weekend to drive around with for fun.

thanks for the suggestion on the serpent model though

 

Then I would go with one of HPI's Ready-to-Run kits. HPI is cool because the offer so many "show" components. I think that there kits are pretty well made and I know that a lot of people run them. I would expect that you could get into one of these for less than half of some of the bigger kits.

http://www.hpiracing.com/kits/k-rtrn-m.htm

 

Gas or Nitro? Two different beasts really. The scale of the models should also be a factor. The larger scale models will cost more (heavy duty servos, costly parts) but a larger displacement engine will be easier to tune and easier to start. I definately do not recommend a ready to run model of any kind. It is important to learn how to build and rebuild these models from scratch. If this is going to be a problem then I suggest purchasing a RTR electric model. These kits (gas or nitro) run (w/ 2 speed) upwards of 60mph, a little accident at those speeds is bound to break something. I have ran 5th, 8th, and 10th in touring, buggy, and truck and can attest that the 8th scale is by far the easiest to take care of and tune.

Oh btw prepare yourself to spend a lot of time (and money) day dreaming about hop ups for you little RC. You'll be amazed at what is out there. Upgraded shocks, anodize suspension arms, tire choices for the different track conditions.. oh my....

-machokow

 

sounds like another s2k investment for me...i'm sure i'll start off small and get into it huge...that's how it always happens

 

I strongly recommend the HPI nitro kits. They are good for all levels of experience.