The Inevitable Question......

andyem · The Inevitable Question......

After yesterday, it is pretty much a given that I will be racing again next season (actually completing meetings and everything), so now the debate begins.. What should I buy?

I'm not very technically minded, so I need something fairly simple, as the racing is far more enjoyable than the hours of tinkering (for me anyway). Budget is not a massive issue, but I have obviously got to get spousal clearance first, so the more money I have left over to buy her clothes, the easier my life will be.

I loved the way Ben's ZX-SP handled yesterday, very predictable and it suited my style (rolling round corners as opposed to barrelling in and the getting hard on the brakes). I don't know whether this is something that differs from car to car or whether every buggy has the potential to be like this with the correct set up, like I said, I really don't have a clue when it comes to trhe technical stuff.

I appreciate that this question has been asked and answered on many previous occasions, and that everyone will have their own views and favourites, but isn't that what a forum is for, a nice big debate?

Zipper

Maybe you can have a test drive of a few cars after a meeting and find a car that suits you best?

I take it you want to stick with 4WD so you can have a go at beating the Botch?

andyem

BenH

Wahoo - an opinion section whilst I have production cars and set up rants freshly squeezed and ready to pour!

My opinion is: Most cars including your XX4 are good enough to handle and enjoy like the ZX did for you if they are set up properly. Whether it's spacers, dremels etc etc.

Your XX was set up nicely - it suffered on electrics. Speedo didn't like the 2.4Ghz and therefore had the TX set so badly it was like a computer virus and spread itself through the car, into your confidence and back out into the track.

Remove maintenance on as much as possible. 2.4Ghz, Brushless system, good servo and LIPO's. This gives you more track time - no glitches, and the spare time at home to focus on set ups rather than annoying electrical issues - Touch wood I have never had these!

I think the car needs to
1 - Fit an initial budget. (For the rolling chassis)
2 - It must have decent electrics -
a/ Brushless system (Novak GTB is my preference) Also I have a complete system ready to go for you.
b/ Decent servo Lo-Pro S9550 as used by moi and the East. (He copied me Laughing

)
c/ GO LIPO! No maintenance!
Cool

Spend more on day one, spend less for the next 12/24 months.
3 - It must be an easy car to work on - (as above) but trackside assistance too and ones reliance on it. If high, this will mean a similiar or part sharing car with other members.
4 - Must be future proof. Base a car on two year life cycle. Will the parts still be readily available at the end of the season?

You could go BJ4. Zipper (BJ4), Myself (S4), Paul Newman (S4), Alex (BJ4) and AndyS (BJ4) not to mention the compatible Losi Parts Jim (XX4). But - Zipper will know better than I - are the BJ4 parts getting harder to get hold of now or am I imagining conversations?

Or

A few will be going for the D4 for next season - Jim, Ricardo, Sal. (Mr East, might still use the wing mounts for a D4 on his car should you break them. Laughing

)

Zipper

I wouldn't go BJ4. Bits are almost impossible to get hold of now. (You have to import directly from JConcepts and their shipping charges are very steep). You are welcome to have a go with mine at the end of the next club champs.

I also wouldn't run the ZX5, as you would be the only person running it and have no chance of someone helping you out should you break anything.

You have already had an XX4 and didn't like it.

So your options....

A B44? Like a BJ4 but parts being readily available. People have struggled a bit with them at LBC, but I'm sure with the right set-up they'll fly. (I think Ben C may be selling his and it has hardly been used)

A D4? No one really running one at the club at the mo (Andy East's D4 is NOT a D4!), although I'm led to believe a few may appear next season?

A Predator X11? I have never seen a Predator go that well at LBC.

Yokomo MR4-BX? Both Johns & Spikes fly! (Need a bit more TLC than most)

Tamiya? Too hard to source spares.

Aero? Nope!

X Factory X5? Steve T's goes really well, so a posability?

BenH

I have just read the D4 review on oople. It's got pictures! Very Happy

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/reviewhbd4/

In breif: High quality production, easy to put together, manual is very good, all parts are numbered. Best quality in plastic components they have seen.

Out of the box - it does look very nice. Everything in black and purple.

Fleabay - 160277834435 New in box £220.00

Or as the zipper said - BenC's B44 may be up for sale soon

Whether you want to go for spanky new. Or good second hand.

Zipper

ben

Being a bit of a frequent car changer (I know it makes no sense, but I just love getting a new buggy!) I would say....

You want low maintenance (preferably enclosed diffs & shaft drive) & LiPo batteries (you'd be mad not to if buying new batteries now) so that narrows your choice down a bit (unless you want to bodge the chassis to fit LiPos):

Schumacher CAT SX - Takes LiPos but is belt drive & is an unknown quantity. (It's what I'd get though because it looks cool & it's British)

B44 -Takes LiPos, easy maintenance but I've yet so see one go really well on our track.

D4 - Takes LiPos, easy maintenance but I've yet so see a NORMAL one go really well on our track. Better quality than the B44 in my opinion.

Predator X11 - Takes LiPos. You'd have to be mad if don't like buggering about with buggies though.

X5 - Not designed for LiPo and they break when you crash (Thurlbourne!).

BJ4 - As Zipper said - almost obsolete now.

S4/S44 - Not designed for LiPo but seem to handle very well - expensive if bought new - £500+

Aero - Spares difficult to obtain already.

Serpent - How patient are you?! We've been waiting all year (not sure about battery layout).

XXX4 - Struggle on bumpy tracks.

Yokomo - Handle well, strong & take LiPos but belt drive & diffs are very exposed.

Your welcome to buy my B44 if you want it - it'll be advertised on here & Oople next week.

Zipper

There are also a couple of "Plastic Fantastic" cars on the horizon from Yokomo & Hot Bodies, both shaft drive and cheap.

Don't know when they are out though?

Personally, I'd go for Ben's B44. Little use, so almost as good as new. I'm sure with Ben H's technical brain, he can help you get a good set-up.

John Myall

Zipper

Wiggles · B44

Hi All , B44 would be my call. Smile

Lots at the track and i have boxes of spares for them.
You could also upgrade To an Atomic chassis later on as you would have the base car.
Dan has been getting better with his of late just like phil.
Please buy Ben's or i will end up with it! Wink

You can have a go of our cars if we are at the track the same time as you.

BenH

On oople?

1 x Aero A1 (every mod available is on this car)
Complete with 2 x full set of Aero Shocks built to top spec.
Complete set of Aero Springs
1 x Extra full slipper assembly.
1 x Spare chassis.
Doubled up shock tower on the front for extra strengh.
3 degree in board toe in brace.
New machined diff.
Spare machined diff gears.
Associated 1 way ntc3 version.
LOADS of spares...... wishbones, front and rear hubs, gearbox casings, shock towers, cvd's, alloy front blocks..... loads!!
The car has competed at this years European Championships and all British nationals. There are nearly enough spares for a new car!!! Was British champion in 2007 and has made Multiple A finals this year...
Well over £700 worth of stuff...

Looking for offers around £350..

Good bad or ugly? Question

Zipper

Spike

Hey Andy, if you want a go of the yoke just so you can say you've considered it i should be up again next weekend, to be honest mine is fairly tame as I'm only runnng a 6.5 in it at the moment, but I don't think I really needed much more than that this week.