Buy Rustler from Pep Boys ?

[MarkV]

I'm new to hobby level R/C (just have owned cheap junk as a kid). I'm considering overbuying on a car or cars for my kids. Options are cheap junk or something a bit better like a Stampede or Rustler. Cheap junk may win since they're not really ready (8 and 4), but I dread having to deal with the issues associated with the cheap junk.

Pep Boys seems to be the cheapest I can find it in a local shop. Amazon seems to be more expensive and google seems to show most hobby stores are quite a bit higher.

Any thoughts on better options? I suspect I will feel the $ pain short term, but be happier in the end.

What's the minimum amount of space one should have to run these at half power?

[tyler13]

are you going to buy a vxl or brushed? if i were you i would go vxl. they are faster(for when you want speed) and easier to maintain.
were will you be running?

[Redsawacs]

Pep boys has the XL-5 versions and I think they are $199.00. I looked at them yesterday - same as you will get anywhere. You will get the support anywhere you got for those models as they are traxxas models.

I just looked at getting a rustler VXL vs. the XL-5 and I personally went with the VXL because they had more upgrades on them for the money. Of course its $100 more.

I think you will be just fine with the regular rustler/stampede from Pepboys. Just make sure you pick up a quick charger somewhere. Onyx makes a fast charger that you can charge 2 batteries at once...2 kids, 2 batteries charging. happy times happy times!

[macz]

Go thebarnfloor.com I got a vxl updated TQi radio $306 shipped..they're good peeps even call u if need help!!

[Emaxx2.0]

Towerhobbies is a great place to buy a vxl BC you will get the updated radio, membership discount and you can do a easy pay option.

[mark c]

If you buy xl5s be sure to look up how to break them in and DON'T run them till you put 16 tooth pinion gears in them. Running on grass with the included 19 tooth will kill those motors quick. (Motors are 20 bucks pinions are 2 to 3 bucks each). There is more maintenance involved in caring for the brushed motors but if done right your young boys will be fine with them.
You don't neeed a 3 acre area to run them in but these are going to smoke a radio shack or wal mart junker. I would almost say get them brushless and run them in training mode but I know an extra 100 bucks times 2 is a big factor.
Bear in mind the rustler and stampede have botth been around almost 20 years each so they're not throwaway toys; your sons could keep these and update them as they like for YEARS.
If you feel you don't have room for them at home make it an occasion where you can all spend time together at a park or something going thru a couple packs in an hour or so and head home. Its a great way to spend time with your young dudes and teach them some responsibility. Involve them in some cleaning and maintenance. It really is not that time consuming.
I would definitely start them the first time in a big area so they can get a feel for things though. Pick up some extra steering and castor blocks @ 4 bucks a pair) because with new drivers of any age front collisions are likely.
There are a lot of great people here who will be more than happy to help you and your sons into this hobby check with us any time. Leave the nikko junk behind or just send me the money you spend on them because either way its a waste compared to these IMHO with the exception of the 1/24 stuff for rainy days inside. Good luck whatever you decide and keep us posted.

[mgbrandy]

+1 on what emaxx said i always do easy pay lol 3 months to pay

[MarkV]

Pep boys has the XL-5 versions and I think they are $199.00. I looked at them yesterday - same as you will get anywhere. You will get the support anywhere you got for those models as they are traxxas models.

I just looked at getting a rustler VXL vs. the XL-5 and I personally went with the VXL because they had more upgrades on them for the money. Of course its $100 more.

I think you will be just fine with the regular rustler/stampede from Pepboys. Just make sure you pick up a quick charger somewhere. Onyx makes a fast charger that you can charge 2 batteries at once...2 kids, 2 batteries charging. happy times happy times!

Thanks for all the replies. This is quite a helpful and friendly forum. Pep Boys is $199 - $20 so $180+tax which I suspect is hard to beat.

$180 + TQ 2.4GHz ($90) + Velineon 3500 ($120) + potentially a lot of other things - wheels/bearings/etc - vs $319 (towerhobbies) or $294.49 (thebarnfloor) (assuming the two are identical - haven't gone through the options to check)

That's 1.5x the base Rustler/Stampede. That's starting to be a slippery slope!

Someone asked where - likely backyard which isn't that big (maybe 100' x 50') - has some concrete, some grass, trees. Otherwise, we'd head out to an empty parking lot somewhere.

Any reason not to set these up with a lesser tooth pinion to slow them down a little more at first? How low can I go ? Do the pinion and spur gear have to be at a specific ratio or can one mix and match without ill effect?

From reading, it sounds like Rustler/Stampede is a coin flip. I don't see us "racing" in the near future...

I think the alternative is probably something like the Air Hog Hyper Actives for $50. I'm sure that made a couple of you sic up on your keyboards. Or for inside some radioshack/toysrus thing that will work for 2 days before it's only able to turn one way in a slow circle (oh wait, that's how some of them come stock)..

[CaptCarnage]

get the vxl rustler. The speed control has "training mode" that keeps them slow enough to control safetly and still have fun. almost no maint and waterproof. Upgrading the power later is much more expensive if u dont know what to buy. Keep reading before and after the purchase you will learn alot. Get other opinions before u upgrade anything as some people just spend $$ and end up with junk. The stampede is a good truck also but is very high center of gravity (top heavy) and flips easily if your not careful. the rustler sits lower and is very durable.
IMO get 1 try it then get another if u like it.

[WildCard]

i agree with every one who recommends the VXL. i know your kids are young but you can put the VXL in training mod if they cant handle it at full power. also you can gear it down for reduced top speed and keep some TQ for kicking up dirt ect. the big advantge will be no matanince on the motor. much better for new users and younger people. you will prob end up makeing that extra 100$ back by not needing to replace brushed motors when they wear out. as long as they downt over heat the verlinion the only thing you have to really worry about is the motor bearings wich from what i hear last a long time and are easy and cheap to replace. plus with the VXL it will give them more room to grow so to speak. when there ready you can take it off training mod. upgrade to lipo ect and have a really powerfull RC.

[mark c]

Wild card and capt carnage both bring up good point and honestly I've seen 4 yr olds handle my brushless trucks quite well on training mode. An 8 yr old would have a tough time turning the truck on alone. Its not hard it just takes a bit of a "touch"most kids that age don't yet have-its not a simple on off switch.
Really Mark if you do a little homework this can be a very enjoyable way to spend some constructive and fun time with your kids. And unlike the box store toys these can get out and move on damp days cold weather etc. And not just on carpet or in your driveway.
Stampede vs Rustlerersonally I like the pede better but it requires more restraint driving and has nowhere near the stability of a rustler. They share a lot of parts-perhaps the pede for the 8 yr old and rustler for the 4 year old lol.
If you get an xl5 the gearing is just too high for that motor in most any driving condition a kid will put it through. Yes if you buy the smaller pinion just install it and set the mesh right. The stock spur will be fine I can't recall if its an 86 or 90. The xl5 can go in training mode too for the young guys to acquaint themselves.
I would love to see them both have vxls as well but with a fast charger and extra batteries you're talking @700 bucks plus at least without knowing if either of your boys will care at all a year from now (I'm sure they will,but....)
If you get the smaller pinions and break them in right they should be happy quite awhile. You might be the first one wanting a brushless system

[mes882]

I think you should get the traxxas vs the walmart brand. At least when it breaks you can get parts fix it and your off again. You can upgrade every piece on the truck if you want. Paint your own bodies. It is really what you want to spend the vxl is a better deal upfront. The xl5 is a good start to a fun hobby. You could watch the market place and get a used one. I will be listing a stampede xl5 in the next couple of weeks with some upgrades.

[68rocks]

I got my Rustler VXL from rcsuperstore.com for $294, am so glad I got the vxl

[RC-Fan]

I got my cars from towerhobbies, join their super savers club, and get $50.00 off with free shipping you can´t beat that deal.

[WildCard]

also im just throwing this out there to make sure your aware, these RC's can be defined as toys, and really when u get down to it they are. But you can kind of say the same for a 400hp sportcar lol. any way the point im getting at is these cars/trucks are a hobby more so than just cheap toys to use and throw away when they break. the price should def have suggested this . Any way no matter what brand or model you get, at some point something is going to wear out and or break and need fixing. traxxas from what iv seen and heard is super great about this. lots of parts support and the rusty and pede are relativly simple and easy to work on and again relativly cheap to get parts for. its easy to find the parts for them as well both stock and tons of upgrades, local hobby shops, on line vendors, in fact at the top of the page you will see a buy traxxas link wich takes you right to there online store. The help on these forums is top notch with a great comunity that will help if you need it.

Also be aware that you will prob want to get a few extra things along with the car. the cars can def be run with what comes in the box but i would def suggest at the verly least geting a faster charger. at this stage with such young kids useing them i would not bother with any kind of complexe charger or lipo battries ect. a simple fast wall charger for the NIMH batteries that comes with the car will be fine and cheap. the stock charger take about 7 hours to charge 1 3000mah NIMH wich is horrible IMHO. a faster charger should cut that down to about 1-2 hours. and you can find them fairly cheap. iirc iv seen them for less than 20$ here and there. Also a couple extra batteries would not be a bad idea. And they dont have to be top of the line race aproved bats eather. of course you dont want super cheapo junk but a deceant NiMH will do fine. ask around on the forums for what people recommend and be sure to metune thats its for your kids so they know not to suggest any thing to complexe ect. you prob want your kids to be able to charge them there selves with out worry as to them burning the house down .

[MarkV]

Hmm, couldn't find the $50 off for Super Saver Club on towerhobbies. $20 for $150/more + $10 "gift card" is what I can find. If you know more, let me know.

I'm sold on the VXL. Just need to figure out how I'm going to justify $700 to go play more with my kids RC cars were the coolest thing growing up. I don't think things have changed enough that they'll be bored with it in a year. I know I won't be.

Thanks again for all the help!

[WildCard]

yea there fun for sure and i think as long as you have the mony the VXL is the way to go. And im sure in the years to come when both u and your kids look back on the great times spent togather it will be well worth it. may even turn out to be a big time hobby for you guys. Also if u had fun back in the day with those old toy grade rcs you are going to flip out over a vxl rusty. like compairing a rideing lawn mower to a V8 sports car......o wait its the VXL so that would mean a super chargerd V8 sports car with 100 shot of NOS lol :P. But a last word of worning, when u start running it with out training mode get a temp guage "there cheap" and keep a check on motor and esc temps. they can over heat when running full blast off road with to high of a gearing

[mark c]

Whoa. Somebody's gonna be coolest dad on the block for awhile. Good deal. Keep us posted.

[JoesStampede]

Good choice on bein sold on the VXL option. Whilst its a lot more initial investment you will find it cheaper in the long run if you stick to the hobby. A VXL combo here in the UK is £170 which IMO is a huge amount and just too much but they are waterproof which is a big bonus as not many ESC's are waterproof.

I just wanted to give you some info on the p2de (2x4 stampede) vs the rusty (rustler). While they are very very similar there are some key differences between the two, mostly theae can be seen from an overhead shot of the chassis, but some are more subtle. For instance a rustler has a steering bellcrank system in it, the p2de doesnt the p2de is simple links to a servo saver to the servo. For that reason (an one or two other minor differences) i personally think that the p2de is a much easier truck to work on maintenance wise than the rusty, but even still the two are very simple to repair or upgrade, especially after a few times of takin things apart and rebuilding.
The drive style between the two has been touched upon but again i wanted to expand a bit. The p2de is a true basher, it will jump over HUGE mounds and go 20+ foot in the air and land asking for more - i landed such a jump in mine the other day, all on the rear (UK) drivers side and all that happened is my shock poped off its ball link - clipped back on in seconds and off i went. So for throwing about and big jumps, extreemly bumpy terrain and to some degree grass longer than half an inch the p2de is the truck of choice.
The rusty however will do IMO about 30-40% of what the p2de is capable of doing but its lower chassis is a big hinderance, i find mine bottoms out on landings a lot more than the p2de even with the big nitro 1/8 scale shocks i have on the rear (these are a lot lot lot stiffer than the stock shocks). But for near my house i have very little to entertain the p2de apart from 2 big mounds of dirt and a flood plain that is at the moment 60% under water (my p2de is drawn to water ). Mostly i have very very large gravel, tarmac and dust surfaces that are far from flat and smooth but they just gently undulate with a few awesome potholes. So i want speed and stability over there - that is where my rusty build comes into play - over there 'smoother' surfaces the rusty outperforms my p2de any day and is much much more fun to drive, due to its lower center of gravity, smaller and more 'on-road' tires and more powerful ESC/motor combo.

So there is a definite difference between the two and they both have their place, which is why i have set up both. I would suggest doing some thinking if where you will spend most of your time and what that type of terrain is like, also what you two children may prefer to do. Also there are the looks, sleek speed looking demon of the rusty or the defeat all massive look of the monster p2de. The p2de will wheelie and roll over more, but practice can help tame that out and it comes with a wheelie bar to stop it backflipping all the time, plus with one simple mod you can take out the wheelieing if you want.

Hope thats some food for thought here . Welcome to the forums and i hope you and your children join us all here

[Cipher_Jones]

4 years old is too young for any Traxxas RC to be safe, its as simple as that. I love RC'ing but I love my kid more. Also, IMHO, the 8 year old will figure out how to bypass training mode quicker than you, and the first time you turn your back he likely will.

Previous experience with radio control models is recommended. Models require a higher level of setup, maintenence, or support equipment.

[MarkV]

4 years old is too young for any Traxxas RC to be safe, its as simple as that. I love RC'ing but I love my kid more. Also, IMHO, the 8 year old will figure out how to bypass training mode quicker than you, and the first time you turn your back he likely will.

Yea, I've thought about this a bit. It will require constant supervision and some pre-planning to be safe - no spectators and a raised platform to keep them and me out of the path of the vehicle in case of accidents. Both kids are going to need separate handholding at first either way. I'll probably pick up some cheap junk for the 4 year old until he gets older any way. That way I get my own Stampede or Rustler...

The first time the 8 yr old bypasses training without permission, he loses driving privileges for the day. The second time, he loses them permanently. At least we know it won't happen three times.

[mark c]

Good on ya Mark. I think you've pretty well covered the bases. If you're buying 2 brushless rigs might look into some extra or upgrade castor blocks and steering blocks. If you live near a pep boys you probably have a hobby shop too, so maybe don't worry about it till you need something.

Congrats and keep us posted.

[JoesStampede]

Thats a very sensible method of looking at it, you have to be careful with the younger generation and these trucks! Safety first for sure! (id like to blame my younger brother and his rustler for a few bruises on my shins!!)

Out of interest - im not sure what the LHS's are like in the US - but here we can end up with a little discount - i spend £110 not long ago and got £10 off the price, brought the items down to web prices minus the delivery which was awesome! So im wondering what may happen if you walked into your LHS and asked for a p2de a rusty and a few bits and bobs such as a decent charger, castors, carriers or whatever you were thinking of - you could end up with a nice discount on it all, especially if you asked and dont forget the trump card 'oh well i guess ill just order them online...' mwhaha!