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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Biggest beginner mistake is underestimating the importance of suspension tuning. Small adjustments to shock preload and damping make massive difference in handling and durability. Watch some basic setup videos after purchase

Finally bit the bullet on a DEERC 9201E after weeks of research. Thing rips harder than i expected and hasn't broken despite my terrible driving skills. Only complaint is battery life but that's every rc ever made so 🤷‍♂️

hear me out: buy slighty used high-end vs new budget. $200 gets year-old traxxas/arrma models locally if patient

better car with few scratches > pristine walmart special

Join facebook rc groups before buying anything! Marketplace full of barely-used rcs from people who quit hobby. Got my rustler vxl for half retail cause guy "lost interest after a month"

Everybody want fast cars till they gotta replace parts weekly... speed costs money, how fast you wanna go? 😂 slower bashers survive beginner abuse way better than speed demons. Physics be physics

Word of warning: once you start, you WILL have 5+ cars within year. This hobby more addictive than the videos make it seem. My "just one truck" turned into entire shelf of different styles. Consider yourself warned lol