New to r/c

[Twobitt]

My kids are wanting their own r/c cars since I won't let them drive my Revo as much as they'd like. I'm curious if you guys would recommend the Stampede as a good starter car for a 14 year old boy. Looking for something that is very reliable and easy to maintain they like the driving aspect of the hobby but not the maintenance part so need something that is pretty durable. Actually considering the Rustler or the Stampede so am going to post in the Rustler forum as well to get some opinions on each.

thank you in advance

[SS Pede]

The Stampede (like all vehicles) has a few minor weaknesses in stock form. If you upgrade to bearings you may want to use 5x11's, for example. Shock caps could also pop off from big jumps. The tranny's idler gear could strip if you get a powerful enough motor.

HOWEVER these weaknesses do not necessarily become a problem right away, and they are very easily fixed if they do. The Stampede is a real workhorse. It doesn't require any more maintenance than any other vehicle. It's easy to keep it running. It is also a tank once you upgrade a few minor things. I'd say it would be a good beginner truck. It's my first hobby-grade vehicle, and it has worked out great. It's a simple design that is easy to understand and work on.

[gian5823]

I would really recommend it for a 14 year old, Im 15 and I got it when I was 14 and to tell you the truth, i love my stampede. Very easy to maintain, as they get more involved into the hobby they can start with hop-ups.
As SS Pede said that it is a easy design to work with, very simple and not complicated.

[stampede720]

I'm 14...I'd go for the Rustler. I don't really think the age of the person has much to do with the decision, but maybe more the maturity.

I prefer the Rustler, because of it's lower CG and better handling, and yet it's identical offroad ability (compared to the 'Pede, naturally) with the same size tires. The Rustler flips less, and wheelies less (they do get annoying).

[jumo kong man]

I personnlay would go with a pede. My friend has a rusty and the pede has more off-road capability's (SP) and to me it seems alot more reliable

[monsterpede13]

i gots a pede and rusty. My pede gets more attention. It was my first hobby level r/c (got it when I was 13), and it is fairly easy to maintain. Its not to fast for beginner, but also not that slow(some will disagree though). I say go with the pede. Wheelies are fun, so is offroading, which imo is better for the pede. I say get the pede.

[batjerk]

I'd say go with the 'Pede. I have an Associated RC10B2 and a Stampede. I love the 'Pede waaaaayyyyy more. The buggy is a lot faster, if you drive it on nice level dirt or pavement. It is more stable, but I doesn't handle the grass, leaves or rough ground nearly as well as does the Stampede. I realize a buggy is not a stadium truck, but the chassis has to be about the same level as a Rusty. Even if you put the larger tires on a Rusty, the chassis is still lower and more of it will rub the grass than the Stampede's will. Also, it's pretty tough to high center a Stampede, its breakover angle is really good. The approach and departure angles are sweet too.

[hoppy6698]

I have to agree with most people in here. I'm 29 and just starting the sport. Most people recommended the Pede (easy to maintain, tough as a rock, cheap to fix, etc). Plus, I could always pass it down to my son when I move up in the world.

To date I have ran full throttle into walls, stairs (the bottom ones, lol), cars (parked), and landed from 4-5 ft jumps in height on the top of the body. Damage? No body posts have ever broken, body still in one piece, and only cracked the chassis after a friend repeatedly hit the bottom stair full throttle. That only took $7 to replace, well worth the fun had, lol.

One tip, for learners, GET THE RPM WIDE BUMPER! It would have spaired my one chassis from damage. Other than that, plenty of parts to upgrade, so the truck will grow with him. And Rustler, Swami has a list of parts that would make a Pede into a Rustler using stock Traxxas Parts - Total conversion was about $30 I think. Look here - Pede / Rusty conversion

Hope that helps with your decision. Have fun!

[Twobitt]

Thank you all for your help. It seems after reading all the responses that either truck would be a good choice for them. I think I will try to pry a little more to see what style of truck they prefer and go with that. Of course I will try to push the Stampede a little since I prefer monster trucks

[nitetrain2002]

stampede good choice i like monster trucks too thats why i got it

[newfrontier45]

Either would be a good choice. The Pede is a little more off-road worthy due to its higher center ground clearance and taller tires. Where the Rustler is better for more "prepared" surfaces. They can be made pretty durable without spending too much money. I still think it's a good idea to start with electric, then they'll be in a better position to decide if they are ready for the hassle of nitro. Even for beginners, do not waste your money on cheap battery packs and a timed charger. Buy quality packs and a decent peak charger to avoid buying twice.

[hoppy6698]

I have to agree with Newfrontier on the battery/chargers. I paid about $30 for a set of two 1900mah NiCds, when I could have gotten a set of 2 3000mah NiMHs for about $35. And my charger was a cheap Pirahna, instead of doing the research and getting something like the Superbrain 959 for about $44.

Since I started (about 3 mos ago), I have bought two more batteries (2400mah), but am still limited by my NiCD only charger.

Now Im just going to get a 959 Superbrain so I can use both types of batteries. Nimhs cost a little more than NiCDs, but the extra runtime is well worth it imo. I hated the sub-10 min runtimes with those 1900s.