noname227 March 19, 2025, 4:48 p.m.

Which best rc car under $100 actually survives more than one battery pack?

Just blew through THREE supposedly "durable" RC cars from Amazon in less than two months. Each one dead in different ways - first motor burned out, second stripped all gears, third just... stopped responding completely?

Starting to think this whole under $100 category is disposable garbage designed to break. Kid next door has same cheap-looking car for a year now with zero issues so clearly SOMETHING in this price range must actually work.

Seriously considering giving up and spending 3x as much on hobby grade, but figured I'd ask here first before tossing more money away. What budget RC car has actually lasted for you people? Ideally something that can handle dirt/grass but at this point I'd settle for "survives basic use" on any surface.

Madrahim March 19, 2025, 9:41 p.m.

What surfaces u driving on? Concrete eats plastic wheels faster than anything. Cheapest fix = tennis court surfaces = smoother than pavement + less wheel wear + longer car life

↪ Reply

- ♥ 1 +

Dptvgxlkk March 20, 2025, 6:01 p.m.

lmao welcome to rc purgatory. the $100-150 range is literally the worst. either go super cheap ($30 toys u expect to break) or save for $200+ actual hobby grade. nothing between worth owning

↪ Reply

- ♥ +

qqqq March 21, 2025, 10:17 p.m.

pics of broken cars or didn't happen

my $60 truck survived roof drops for tiktok vids

maybe operator error????

↪ Reply

- ♥ -1 +

Titanic March 22, 2025, 12:53 a.m.

um hello... maintenance?? these aren't apple products that magically work forever

clean motors after runs
proper battery storage
tighten screws regularly
lube moving parts most "$50 car broke immediately" complaints = zero maintenance users

↪ Reply

- ♥ 2 +

Gogle March 22, 2025, 3:01 p.m.

!! water destroys electronics !!

!! sand destroys gears !!

!! concrete destroys tires !!

!! children destroy everything !!

↪ Reply

- ♥ +

qwertyuiop[ March 23, 2025, 7:46 p.m.

Finally smth i know! Our scout troop runs HAIBOXING 1:18 all terrain car. 8-10yr olds absolutely TORTURE them weekly. Only parts needing replacement = shock caps when they jump from picnic tables. Reasonably priced, shockingly durable

↪ Reply

- ♥ 2 +

Marta March 25, 2025, 7:37 p.m.

Nobody mentioning batteries???? Stock batteries = always garbage. Car itself fine probably but included batteries = fire hazard + performance killers. Upgrade batteries first thing

↪ Reply

- ♥ +

dibo March 26, 2025, 12:55 a.m.

TRUTH. Stock battery = maybe 20% capacity advertised. Car struggling to move = motor strain = burned electronics. $25 zeee lipo pack completely transforms budget cars. Night/day difference!

↪ Reply

- ♥ 1 +