What to Buy: Used or New? Ready to Run, Lower Price, Mid Price, High End?
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:50 pm
This article is not finished yet and is still in process - date reviewed 10/11/2022
*** First of all I would recommend taking some time and reading the Beginners Guide in this forum. Don't be tempted to jump in quickly and do remember we have club cars that you can book for 5 minutes or a whole meeting - try before you buy! ***
We would always recommend purchasing a 2wd class buggy where possible. It's the most popular class, great fun to drive, quick enough to scare you and easy to look after compared to other classes.
Seriously consider a good used car if it's from a known source. Ask at the club and let us know you are looking for something. We might be able to help and give you some options. Normally you can get everything you need for around £300 as a used price. You might want to buy some stuff used and some used - it's really up to you!
Definitely pop down to the club and chat with us. In the winter when we aren't racing outdoors we have Wednesday night socials at East Kilbride Sports Club after 6.30pm which is the perfect time to ask questions and learn about RC over a coffee, tea or a drink from the bar. Its very relaxed and we try and keep it fun.
Example of a NEW Ready to Run level grade 2wd buggy:-
If you are looking for something you dont have to build, the RB10 is a 'Ready to Race' buggy with racing heritage and worth looking at. RTR cars wont be as good as a decent competition buggy, so the price reflects it. If you are feeling flush and want to go for a competition kit route either new or used (Our recommendation), have a look and have a chat with us before so we.can figure out what might be best for you. https://www.associatedelectrics.com/tea ... /RB10/RTR/ - These are about £300
* A few of our racers have these and we are starting a post on Ready to Race vs Used competition buggies looking at the pro's and con's. Will post a link here...... *
Example of a good used competition grade 2wd buggy:-
All prices approximate, you may get it cheaper or may be a few £ more.
Example of a good NEW competition grade 2wd buggy with a few used items:-
Example of a good NEW Mid Price competition grade 2wd buggy:-
Example of a good NEW High End competition grade 2wd buggy:-
So what is the difference in the different price levels here? In reality you can have fun and great competition at every level. We would recommend ideally starting at the £400 area if it is possible. We have people competing at Scottish championship levels with this level of car and they do very well indeed! Competition kits tend to be more robust, are faster and designed for the speeds and impacts that RC racing can sometimes deliver, so in the long term you will be replacing less breakages than you would with an entry level RTR car.
*** First of all I would recommend taking some time and reading the Beginners Guide in this forum. Don't be tempted to jump in quickly and do remember we have club cars that you can book for 5 minutes or a whole meeting - try before you buy! ***
We would always recommend purchasing a 2wd class buggy where possible. It's the most popular class, great fun to drive, quick enough to scare you and easy to look after compared to other classes.
Seriously consider a good used car if it's from a known source. Ask at the club and let us know you are looking for something. We might be able to help and give you some options. Normally you can get everything you need for around £300 as a used price. You might want to buy some stuff used and some used - it's really up to you!
Definitely pop down to the club and chat with us. In the winter when we aren't racing outdoors we have Wednesday night socials at East Kilbride Sports Club after 6.30pm which is the perfect time to ask questions and learn about RC over a coffee, tea or a drink from the bar. Its very relaxed and we try and keep it fun.
Example of a NEW Ready to Run level grade 2wd buggy:-
If you are looking for something you dont have to build, the RB10 is a 'Ready to Race' buggy with racing heritage and worth looking at. RTR cars wont be as good as a decent competition buggy, so the price reflects it. If you are feeling flush and want to go for a competition kit route either new or used (Our recommendation), have a look and have a chat with us before so we.can figure out what might be best for you. https://www.associatedelectrics.com/tea ... /RB10/RTR/ - These are about £300
* A few of our racers have these and we are starting a post on Ready to Race vs Used competition buggies looking at the pro's and con's. Will post a link here...... *
Example of a good used competition grade 2wd buggy:-
All prices approximate, you may get it cheaper or may be a few £ more.
- Chassis £120 Team Associated B6.1D (a few generations old but a really good car)
- Motor £35 Any brand brushless 7.5t to 13.5t
- Servo £35 Savox 1257/1258 is a good strong accurate servo
- Speed Controller £45 New Hobbywing Quickrun BL120 or similar
- Batteries 2x Shorty 2S £25 to £35 each pack. Buy new if possible
- Transmitter - £40
- Wheels & Tyres - Free to £30 Sometimes club members donate part worn tyres and wheels for new racers
- Transponder £50 Available new from www.atomfire.com
- Charger £30
- Tools
Example of a good NEW competition grade 2wd buggy with a few used items:-
- Chassis £359 NEW Team Associated B6.4D
- Motor £35 Used Any brand brushless motor 7.5t to 13.5t
- Servo £35 Used Savox 1257/1258 is a good strong accurate servo
- Speed Controller £45 New Hobbywing BL120 or similar
- Batteries 2x Shorty 2S £35 each pack. Example.....
- Transmitter - £40 Example.....
- Wheels & Tyres - £30 Example.....
- Transponder - £45 Available new from the GlasgowRC Trackside shop.
- Charger £30 Example.....
- Tools
Example of a good NEW Mid Price competition grade 2wd buggy:-
- Chassis £359 NEW Team Associated B6.4D
- Motor £55 surpass v3 brushless 7.5t
- Servo £55 Savox 1258TG is a good strong accurate servo
- Speed Controller £45 New Hobbywing Quickrun BL120 or similar
- Batteries 2x Shorty 2S £40 each pack. Example.....
- Transmitter - £100 Example.....
- Wheels & Tyres - £30 Example.....
- Transponder £50 Available new from www.atomfire.com
- Charger £50 Example.....
- Tools
Example of a good NEW High End competition grade 2wd buggy:-
- Chassis £359 NEW Team Associated B6.4D
- Motor £90 Any brand brushless 7.5t to 13.5t
- Servo £55 Savox 1258TG is a good strong accurate servo
- Speed Controller £180 Hobbywing XR10 Pro G2S or similar
- Batteries 2x Shorty 2S £50 each pack. Example.....
- Transmitter - £270 Example.....
- Wheels & Tyres - £30 Example.....
- Transponder £50 Available new from www.atomfire.com
- Charger £100 Example.....
- Tools
So what is the difference in the different price levels here? In reality you can have fun and great competition at every level. We would recommend ideally starting at the £400 area if it is possible. We have people competing at Scottish championship levels with this level of car and they do very well indeed! Competition kits tend to be more robust, are faster and designed for the speeds and impacts that RC racing can sometimes deliver, so in the long term you will be replacing less breakages than you would with an entry level RTR car.