mike, why dont you sell..

[jnev]

I got my first rc car when I was about 8 or 9 years old. It was a stock RTR Rustler, however being who I am and always wanting to know how things work... I took it apart after 2 runs, and rebuilt everything.

squee - my dad taught me to do the same thing... "Buy the best and cry only once."

[JERRY2KONE]

I have always had an interest in RC vehicles, but just never had the funds to do anything about it. A few years ago my wife ordered one for my birthday not knowing what my response might be. It was an EMaxx and I had never seen one up close. I had no idea of the amount of "Hop-Up" parts that were available to us then. I am a very experienced Machanical engineer and I have worked on a whole slew of industrial equipment from diesel engines, to 10 stage pumps, high and low air compressors, to rollercoasters and animatronics at Universal Studios. When I stripped that first EMaxx it was a little strainge for me, but now I have 4 SuperMaxx's that I have built from scratch. I am having a ball working on them and have invested $$$$ into my collection. that is just the way that I was brought into the hobby.

The point is that I had no idea of what was out there. The RTR's, the kits, or the "Hop-Ups". It does not matter how any of us were first introduced to the sport. Sharing the stories is great fun. The fact is that we were introduced, and now here we are today discussing how others may or may not be introduced. Everyone has a different experience in this and we should respect anyone who is here or wnats to join us. If you want to yank your own chain that is great, go right ahead, but not everyone will get to experience this the same way that you did. Lets all just be happy for them for the fact that they are involved at some level and hopefully learning from this site.

[Hickoryhead]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

The point is that I had no idea of what was out there. The RTR's, the kits, or the "Hop-Ups". It does not matter how any of us were first introduced to the sport. Sharing the stories is great fun. The fact is that we were introduced, and now here we are today discussing how others may or may not be introduced. Everyone has a different experience in this and we should respect anyone who is here or wnats to join us. If you want to yank your own chain that is great, go right ahead, but not everyone will get to experience this the same way that you did. Lets all just be happy for them for the fact that they are involved at some level and hopefully learning from this site.

Well put Jerry!!! We all have to remember that at one point in time you could not even begin to think about putting out $100 for a little motor much less $100 for tires. Look at some of your junk bins. You have more money in Junk tires than you would think of spending for tires at Big O for your 1:1 cars. If you had to put $100 into your motor on that same car you would ask why. Yet most of us on this site don't bat an eye about purchasing $500 plus in RC stuff (motor, ESC, tires, rims, lipo's,...)for "1" RC. There has to be a beginning for us all. If an RTR is cheaper, than Mike has the perfect business. He lets companies like Traxxas put out an OK RC and moves in for the real money on upgrading it. If you hate to see RTR's I wonder what you think of people that give away RC's to get people into this hobby?

[squeeforever]

Yup, got that right...

[BP-Revo]

Yea...I first bought RTR's, which I really didn't mind. However, I saw and HATED the waste of replacing half the parts with better (actually more like proper) ones, and being left over with a bunch of parts (junk, really).

Now, I just build the truck with the best parts from the get go. Even certain parts that I see myself replacing in the future I'll just buy up front (like on my CRT.5, I just started out buying the CF center diff top plate and CF front plate and aluminum drag link and stuff).

The only exception to this rule, in my opinion, is motor systems. I really think its a stupid thing for someone who's buying their first RC to get a thousand watt brushless setup and have trouble keeping the truck on all 4's for more than 2 seconds. I slowly got myself trained to the power, and now I can drive just about anything without freaking out.

I started with a T-Maxx 2.5 and thought that was "really fast" and now I'm running 3S FlightPower's on a 1930 in my CRT .5 and I see it as powerful, but nothing scary...

I can't wait to run true HV hehehe...

[glassdoctor]

I saved up and got an original Kyosho Ultima in about 1986 right about the time when Joel Johnson won the ifmar worlds with it. So of course I had to get the world champ car... plus it looked sweet with the alum ladder frame chassis. Three speeds plus reverse rocked. Just don't touch the speed control resistors, lol. :D

I'm 35 now... and have too many r/c toys and have spent way too much money to even think about.

[supralover72]

I'm 35 now... and have too many r/c toys and have spent way too much money to even think about.

That's how it should be :)

And thanks for the great but unnecessary compliment sss :).

[ssspconcepts]

Originally Posted by supralover72

I'm 35 now... and have too many r/c toys and have spent way too much money to even think about.

That's how it should be :)

And thanks for the great but unnecessary compliment sss :).

No...you made a very good point that too many folks don't get now days...whether you are talking in the context of RC or some other widget...the mentality is lets buy it cheap and lets buy it already put together....and forget about the kids, we can just medicate them and put them in the basement so they don't bother us.

[supralover72]

Originally Posted by ssspconcepts

No...you made a very good point that too many folks don't get now days...whether you are talking in the context of RC or some other widget...the mentality is lets buy it cheap and lets buy it already put together....and forget about the kids, we can just medicate them and put them in the basement so they don't bother us.

Amen to that and I lmao'd when I red that last statement, lol. Sad thing is it's true.

[ssspconcepts]

Originally Posted by supralover72

Amen to that and I lmao'd when I red that last statement, lol. Sad thing is it's true.

Yeah its true...and we can laugh about it...as long as its not our kids!

[mwry13]

i see that there are people here that are talking bout RTR's being good and bad at the same time... I work at a hobby store in Southern California (Hobby People) and can tell you from experience why RTR's are good, but in there current form are bad for the hobby imo

I couldnt agree more... RTR's are a good way to make a quick buck and are very "user" friendly to the first time buyer. BUT in there current form ( IE: being pre built, put together, ready to go ) are bad for the hobby in the long term. In my experience the people who Buy RTR's are the people who dont ever want to work on there own stuff. They want to pay up to 30 dollars an hour to fix cars ( damn i wish my boss let me charge to work on cars ). I think the RC8 is a fair compromise between the two breeds of "hobbyists". It gives you the convinence of having a pre built car. but also makes you work on your own stuff because you have to install all your own gear (motor, servos, battery, reciever... etc)

I think RTR's are good, but i think having a pre - built "kit type" car is better... thats what I'd hope to see from mike if he ever did something like that.

Jus my 2 cents

[t-maxxracer32]

Originally Posted by mwry13

i see that there are people here that are talking bout RTR's being good and bad at the same time... I work at a hobby store in Southern California (Hobby People) and can tell you from experience why RTR's are good, but in there current form are bad for the hobby imo

I couldnt agree more... RTR's are a good way to make a quick buck and are very "user" friendly to the first time buyer. BUT in there current form ( IE: being pre built, put together, ready to go ) are bad for the hobby in the long term. In my experience the people who Buy RTR's are the people who dont ever want to work on there own stuff. They want to pay up to 30 dollars an hour to fix cars ( damn i wish my boss let me charge to work on cars ). I think the RC8 is a fair compromise between the two breeds of "hobbyists". It gives you the convinence of having a pre built car. but also makes you work on your own stuff because you have to install all your own gear (motor, servos, battery, reciever... etc)

I think RTR's are good, but i think having a pre - built "kit type" car is better... thats what I'd hope to see from mike if he ever did something like that.

Jus my 2 cents

you got it.

when everything is ready to go..just plug n play... its not that good for the person in the long run. like you said once somethings goes down they have NO idea what to do to fix it.

although they are nice for the first first time users. gets them into the hobby with no work needed.

[t-maxxracer32]

I'm 17 now... and i think i have spent too much money for my age on them!! ive had just about every traxxas vehicle (minus the sport, Npede and E4tec)
each one ive learned alot and the MAINNNN thing ive learned is to screw any nitro vehicle.

they are just WAY to messy for me.

[ssspconcepts]

To all,

I have really enjoyed this thread...a lot of great ideas being shared here. On another note...somewhat similar to what we have been talking about...

Today I received my RC Monster extended Jammin CRT.5 chassis kit from Mike...I am impressed to say the least. $150 buckaroos well spent. The packaging and components are top notch quality. This is the type of kit I spoke about earlier in the forum...now all I have to do is buy the car kit (its on order) install my electronics, and I am ready to go. I still get to enjoy the building experience...but the experience doesn't eat up too much of my time. I know we talked about the other two extreme ends of the spectrum (RTR and essentially building from scratch) and they are both very good options, but for me this is a perfect happy medium.

Good job Mike.

[t-maxxracer32]

Originally Posted by ssspconcepts

The packaging and components are pure quality.

its funny when i read that i read it as "the packaging and components are poor quality.

i had to reread it caue it was shocking to me

i dont think mike knows how to produce any poor quality items.