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I know it's only just October. But my lad is 5 and one of my mum's friends gave him an rc car. Frankly it's rubbish(but I did appreciate their kindness). He really enjoys it (when it works) so I'm after something we can use in the garden etc probs up to £100.
I quite like the ones at www.nitrotek.co.uk. Covers most budgets
Got one of these http://helion-rc.com/animus18SC/ for my son last Xmas when he was almost 7. Pretty happy with it, though if anything it's a bit quick for him in a limited space - fine if you have lots of room (I've modified the controller to limit the max speed, but I doubt that's something most would be happy with). My 5yo definitely needs help with it, and he's more than happy with something a lot slower.
Unfortunately you'll have a similar issue with most hobby type cars around that price. I'd suggest you have a look at a "rock crawler" which is something which goes a lot slower. Though we also have a £15 one from Argos which is still going fine after a couple of years and my little one loves.
Been there!
And so I'd recommend something like a rock crawler!
My 7-yr old got a Maverick ion for Xmas. Stupidly fast but Thump learnt to handle that. Problem is, even with plenty of space (we have a school playground next door) it's been broken a lot: mainly when friends have had a go and then run into it walls and posts at full speed. Cue, lots of tears on Xmas day when his wee brother broke a suspension strut.
And the battery only lasts 20mins or so, which means a spare is essential.
http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/123869/
Previous years we've had more fun with slower cars. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Splitster-Extreme-Tumbling-Spinning-Stunt/dp/B005X6QOME
Or this thing that could be run through puddles
(ours was £20 from Halfords. Shame I picked it up one day while we were playing at the skate park and ripped the aerial off as the body shell separated. Meant the boys had to run with it to keep up - which was a good work out)
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3882380.htm
Saw that Nikko and thought it looked OK.
If you go for a Tamiya, the 4WD ones are much easier to control* on the loose stuff
*We only crash ours every 15 seconds.
Also interested in this, electric though for sure, just commenting for later.
I can't remember the name but I used a company last December and they were doing the Tamiya kits with RC gear and batteries for under £100. Ok it was a basic model but if you want something to build up then they were very good.
I'll do a search and find the name of them.
Here you go. £99.99
My children and I share a tamiya lunchbox.. It doesn't handle great it rolls over round tight corners when travelling at speed, it does wheelies.... Half the fun is it rolling over and being a bit wild.
They generally end up in fits of giggles when it wheelies or rolls over.
Remember they're supposed to be fun at that sort of age. Not just something to drive round in circles.
That Tamiya Grasshopper deal is sooooo tempting.
My 7 year old (and I) have a Lunchbox each. They are great. Crash loads, flip, wheelie, jump and are generally an absolute hoot. Also cheap to fix and pretty strong - although we are currently running on one body mount each! Be careful of upgrade-itus though.
Mine is stock with new shocks and better motor, his has a custom body, shocks and motor.
Such fun 🙂
Oodles of info!! I am saying Grasshopper, but the Mrs is saying get thee to Smyths and buy that Nikko as he's only 5!!!
As usual mrs monkeychild is right - and you know it!
I hate grasshoppers! Used to race proper RC cars and the comparison was like a 2CV versus a World Rally Car. It was fun flicking them off into the barriers though 😈
But for a £100 that is a cracking price for which, despite my earlier comment, is a proper RC car that can be used anywhere and won't get stuck on a blade of grass longer than 20mm. The design must be 30 years old which is testament to the designers.
But I would say he is too young for it and it's a waste of pennies. It is only a 380 motor but with a modern speed controller (I used to be sponsored by mtroniks!) and batteries will still be pretty potent. If you don't want to buy a cheap toy then I would second the advice of a rock crawler. ie something that is slow but will be usable just about everywhere. It will teach control too.
I remember my first RC car was a Porsche 944 from Tandy. I stripped the gearbox on it but back then even something that basic had spares back up and I swapped out the gearbox and motor for a new assembly. I must have been about 6 so not much older than your lad and that car was pretty much in the 'toy' category these days.
As usual mrs monkeychild is right - and you know it!
Wimmin!!! 😀
Maisto rock Crawler, get one each!
I'd get him the grasshopper, you can fit a 540 size motor in 55 turn or even 80 turn variants to slow it down of it's too fast for him. £100 might seem like a lot to spend on a toy car to your wife but some of my fondest childhood memories are thrashing my Tamiya thunder shot around with my dad while he tinkered with his nitro powered car trying to get it to run properly! I was 6 at the time and still have it 22 years later as a fully restored shelf queen.
On the flip side I'm now heavily involved in the scale rock crawling side of things, a mavericks count would be a good choice for the budget you and and would be a lot of fun and something you could develop over time. Have a look over on www.scalerc.co.uk if you want more information on the crawlers or scalers.
That rock crawler looks bonkers for the cash. We have some prime territory for it out the front of the house!! Agh lol
Wish I hadn't started reading this thread. God this stuff is cheap theses days.
I had a Tamiya Thundershot as my first rc car and it cost me a years paper rounds to buy.
Woods love one now-will have to have a serious look when Mrs Danny it's out!
Wish I hadn't started reading this thread. God this stuff is cheap theses days.
You can also get very good planes and helicopters for similar money 😉
I relived my yooof by building up a Tamiya Hotshot last year. Hours of fun for me building it up on cold winter nights and the kids (3 & 5) haven't broken it yet by crashing it into walls. Tempted by a helicopter this winter.
I've got my old Cougar 2000 but the RC gear is a little flaky - reckoning that it'd be worthwhile getting some new electronics particularly as they seem to be waterproof nowadays. Also the way Nem Jnr crashes it I suspect it'd be worth me getting a new car that other parts are available for.
Some great deals above though.
+1 for the revival feeling.
My 25 year old(!) Midnight Pumpkin was rescued from my parents when the moved house a few years ago. It's been sitting in my houses all that time, but now I think my daughter's old enough (4...) to enjoy the lunacy.
Needs new body mounts (natch) and I'd like to go back to a slower motor (put a Parma Stock motor in) and change the rear shocks back to the bouncy springs (I fitted oil damped coil-overs).
Right, that's it. I'm hitting the online shops!
I stuck a slow motor in my Cougar 2000 and with current 3000mah batteries, it lasts ages now which is great for my son.
"current 3000mah batteries" 😀
My son is 10 months old, I'm thinking one of those Rock Crawlers will be ideal for him 🙂
Oh I know but I mean current and cheap.... 2000mah was the best we had when I stopped racing...
Sorry no it was my rubbish cheesy Monday morning joke - amps being the unit for current. I'll get my coat 😳
Oh, er great joke 😉
I knew the risks when I clicked this thread, now I want a Vaporizr.
http://www.modelsport.co.uk/carrera-rc-red-bull-nx1/rc-car-products/378611
recommended. bomb proof so far after a couple of years being crashed into the kerb
Why did I click thay link?! Flashbacks to looking through the tamiya catalogue in my youth - Working out how long it'd take me to save up. Did have quite a nice tamiya rc car, pug 306 rally sport shell, with a few mechanical upgrades. I always wanted a montser truck, think I'll treat myself!
Hmmm…
I’ve been spending too much time looking at the Tamiya bundle deals on Goldstarstockists website.
Toss up between this
[url= http://www.goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/amazing-tamiya-9999-rc-deal-grasshopper-buggy-bargain-bundle-deal-everything-for-just-9999-58346-p-56420.html ]big toy#1[/url]
and this
[url= http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/seproduct_info.php/products_id/42822 ]big toy#2[/url]
Both with additional ball bearings, larger capacity batteries and quick chargers giving a total of £130+. To me The Grasshopper looks better but the Rising Fighter has a bigger motor.
All of this is academic I suppose as the merest thought of spending money on myself usually brings about some sort of catastrophic and expensive failure on the bike.
Interestingly the RC forums slag the pair of them off in much the same way that STW would a £250 Carrera MTB. Who cares, I only want it for buzzing about in the local park with my lad.
One for a Yeti fanatic? If that's not a tie-up with the Yeti bikes their (TM) & design is a bit questionable!
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http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/230510/
What I would say is that the cheaper Tamiya cars are not as solid as the more expensive ones.
We bought the Rising Fighter deal for my Dad as a present and although he enjoyed building it up he gave it to my son after a while.
My son (7yrs) already had a Desert Gator that I had bought as a second hand unit. The Desert Gator is still fine but all the track rods are bent on the Rising Fighter as it just isn't as strong.
Nothing that can't be fixed though.
Can all of the weaker suspension components be upgraded over time as they wear or break, or do you have to bin the chasis and start again?
Will I regret buying the lunchbox deal, or should I get something with a lower centre of gravity?
Gone for one of those Maisto Rock Crawler Jrs. If he gets the bug then we may look at something for his birthday, if not I get a toy 😀
just dont buy it from nitrotek. terrible customer service
I'm pretty sure Tamiya do all sorts of upgrades or hop ups I think they call them
No idea what make this is or if it's any good but this looks remarkably like the old Associated RC10 B2 I used to race (depressingly when I work it out) 16 years ago.
If it is then it should handle a lot better than a grasshopper and has a proper sized (540) motor.
A 30mph buggy sounds perfect for a 5yo
I meant for Harry. Duh!
OP has already made his mind up.
I've heard a sales bloke telling me that fathers buy remote control cars/helecopters for themselves but the fathers claim its for the kids.
Of course we do! There is no way that my 7 year old is having better toys than me, especially if I'm paying for them!
I'll buy the car and he can play with it, but it will still be mine.
I had a lunch box when i was 12/13 great car , loved it , it crashed and crashed and crashed but i learned to control it 5 a bit young for that i reckon 10 would be ok ? i later got a monster buggy and then a Kyosho raider which i won races with after joining a local model racing club (scary those clubs full of Peado types dribbling over batteries and motors like there Jean todd on release from prison ?)
I relived my yooof by building up a Tamiya Hotshot last year.
Plan on reliving my youth with this I found in my parents attic 🙂 Must be at least 25 years old. Going to strip it down and re-build. Can you get old manuals? New motor and batteries?
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The problem with old cars is spares - that's the issue I have with my Cougar 2000 - it's working perfectly but if I break a wishbone then I'm a bit stuck...
[img] 
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Progress... Heading down the Tamiya Hornet bundle route I think, with upgraded bearings and batteries and a quick charger.
What sort of run time are you with Tamiya kit getting per set of batteries?
The problem with old cars is spares
I found ebay hong kong really useful and pretty cheap when I needed bits for mine.
After reading this thread last week I popped round my folks house as I used to have a Tamiya Lunchbox and a Tamiya Toyota Hilux back in the day. Turns out my Dad threw them both away about 6 months ago! Absolutely gutted, now I'll have to spend money I don't have on a new one 😉
😯Turns out my Dad threw them both away about 6 months ago!
Step away from the thread. This subject will seriously hurt your wallet.
I had an RC car a few years ago which I enjoyed taking to the local bmx track to drive about. HPI firestorm. One day I got chatting to a bloke who suggested coming down to the local race track (Tarmac) and seeing what I thought.
I now don't have a firestorm. I placed 3rd in our local league for Tamiya Mini Stock class (M05) and my son was 5th. I have all the associated gear now with batteries and chargers and am currently having a XRay T4 touring car prepared for my son for the winter season (I will still be running my mini though.
Highlight has been the progression through the C, B and then A finals. Me and my son now hunt the leaders down and take great delight in putting people with 20yrs experience under pressure. Painting the cars the same colour took a bit of getting used to but it makes it worthwhile when someone asks "which friggin Hobo is on my tail this time".
I have deliberately not opened this thread... Then to see someone say
Step away from the thread.
I did lol. It is an expensive hobby if you want good stuff. I still have a my NTC3+, a Tamiya drifter (which actually helped learn real drifting) and a Hyper 8.5 Buggy... Luckily I stopped as I still wanted a truggy and monster truck.
Progress... Heading down the Tamiya Hornet bundle route I think, with upgraded bearings and batteries and a quick charger.What sort of run time are you with Tamiya kit getting per set of batteries?
Yes... This is how it starts... Already looking at upgrades and batteries. 😉
I must not go on ebay and start looking at RC's... 😳
Agreed. I used to race 1/8th IC on-road through late 80's and most of the 90's, reading RC car threads seriously gives me the itch to get going again. This is why I went to my folks to see if I could resurrect my old Lunchbox and Toyota Hilux to scratch the itch on the cheap as it might only be a passing fad!
Your dad threw the Hi Lux away - the box on eBay is going for £100!
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-Vintage-Toyota-Hilux-Empty-Box-/151440258436 ]forgot the link type text here.[/url]
£100 for a cardboard box? You could by a bike for that!
Good condition boxes seem to go for as much if not more than the cars themselves on ebay
Mine was this one though teadrinker:
[URL= http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i426/wilko1999/Tamiya-Toyota-Hilux-Monster-Racer-58086_zpse7c1a9b1.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i426/wilko1999/Tamiya-Toyota-Hilux-Monster-Racer-58086_zpse7c1a9b1.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Is that one of those "stadium racers"? I really want a new toy now. Must get back to work and stop you tubing!
Yeah it's that sort of thing, was great fun to drive but wore out rear tyres something rotten. I'm now watching 5 or 6 vintage Tamiya trucks on ebay in the hope of picking up a bargain 🙂
Anyone know the difference between a Rising Fighter and a Hornet other than the body shell?