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powerlift

powerlift April 6, 2025, midnight

Decent 4x4 rc car under $200 that won't break immediately? Help a noob out!

So impulse bought a cheap amazon RC car last month that literally fell apart after 2 days and now I'm hooked on the idea but want something that actually WORKS this time lol. Been watching YouTube reviews but every video seems sponsored and they're all like "this $500 car is ENTRY LEVEL" 🙄

Got about $200 max to spend (already pushing it with the wife after wasting $40 on that first piece of junk). Mainly wanna bash around the dirt field behind my apartment and maybe take it to the beach when we visit my in-laws next month.

Definitely need 4x4 since I tried my buddy's 2WD and it got stuck constantly. Also need something that can take a beating because I WILL crash it... a lot. Prefer ready-to-run cause I'm not patient enough for assembly kits yet.

Anyone got recommendations from actual experience? Stuff that's held up over time? Oh and I need it to be fast enough to be fun... my 7yo nephew already roasting me about my "baby car" that broke lmao

zorg2012dg

zorg2012dg April 6, 2025, 3:13 a.m.

hit up local hobby shop before amazon! bought my first rc there 15 mins of actual advice > hours of internet research. got a slash 4x4 for $220 (guy knocked off $30 seeing i was new). three years later still running weekly

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lgsx

lgsx April 6, 2025, 11:09 a.m.

Check out WLToys 144001 - $120 range on amazon but stupid fast for price. Chinese but huge community support. Buy extra A-arms tho, they snap if you send it too hard. Better than saving forever for high end stuff you're scared to actually drive

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hgafsd

hgafsd April 6, 2025, 10:22 p.m.

Whatever you pick - spend $30 extra for decent batteries!!! Like putting premium gas in a ferrari vs regular in a honda... completely different experience. 2S lipo minimum, 3S if motor can handle it. stock batteries = weak sauce

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Kinder)

Kinder) April 7, 2025, 4:14 p.m.

idk why everyone acting like you need $$$ to enter hobby? My kid brothers been thrashing a $120 rc for months with zero issues. Just don't bash it into concrete walls repeatedly and most 4x4s fine these days lol

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Suvo

Suvo April 8, 2025, 8:05 p.m.

Took a chance on that HAIBOXING 1:18 Scale 18859 when my kid's birthday hit. Honestly surprised how much abuse this thing takes for the price. Been through mud, grass, gravel... even survived the neighborhod cat attack incident we don't talk about lol

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кпеереур4

кпеереур4 April 9, 2025, 11:42 p.m.

First week: don't immediately upgrade anything. Learn how rc handles stock, then identify weak points. Everybody loves suggesting instant upgrades but you don't even know what you need yet

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fenixstuf

fenixstuf April 10, 2025, 12:56 a.m.

needed this advice 3 months ago lol. Spent $50 upgrading motor before learning to drive properly... immediately burned up ESC. Lesson learned the expensive way 💸

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yfnfif01

yfnfif01 April 10, 2025, 3:17 p.m.

ayo beach driving = death sentence unless specifically sealed electronics. sand gets EVERYWHERE. if beach running important, budget for cleaning supplies or prepare for sad times ahead

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Lotosss

Lotosss April 13, 2025, 7:01 p.m.

Forums lie about speed man. Them 35mph claims = 35mph if driven by Dale Earnhardt on perfectly smooth track with tailwind. Realistically knock off 25% for actual backyard performance

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(* *)

(* *) April 17, 2025, 11:35 p.m.

rc hobby shops vanishing faster than blockbuster video... buy from places with good return policies. Defective electronics super common in budget segment. first esc i got literally smoked on 2nd battery. Amazon sent replacement next day tho

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