New Car Shopper

[Top End]

I've been a serious on & offroad racer for about 5 years now. I have raced touring cars, 2wd trucks, 4wd buggies and in spec classes. Now I am looking for a new touring car. I have been driving a Schumacher sst2000 for the past 2 years. Because parts are hard to find on hand locally for the Schumacher, I am looking into the TC3 or RS4 Pro2. Partly because I have heard good things about both of these models, and also because my LHS keeps parts in stock for both of them.

I would like to hear from guys who have raced both of these cars, and get your opinions on them. I know that I would probably like either one, I just need some feedback before I make a purchase.

Or, should I hang onto my money and wait to see what is coming out next spring? Anybody heard any rumors about new models?

Thanks for the help guys!

[Twisted Fate]

I have a Pro2, I haven't raced it yet, but I like it a lot. The Pro3 is supposed to come out next year. Check out www.hpiracing.com (http://www.hpiracing.com) and go into the Electric Touring forum then look for the Pro3 thread to get a few details about the car. I have heard that the TC3 is kind of fragile. I don't have first hand experience with it though.

[Z10_Integra]

Does your LHS carry Losi parts? Because their new touring car looks sweet. I dont know anything about performance, look for that. But between your picks, I would get the Pro2.

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I spent an extra long time painting the back of my car just for you.

[Need4Speed]

I would also say Pro2, ive raced both of the cars and i would say HPI all the way. It might be because the TC3 doesnt fit my driving style but it mostly depends on YOUR driving style and how you can handle the car. But still i would say PRO2 cuz well its different than a TC3 and depending on where you are HPI parts are usually more available since TC3 parts fly off shelfs everywhere.

[Top End]

Yeah, the LHS carries Losi, but I don't really like Losi that much, I've driven their trucks, tc's and 4wd buggies, and I didn't really didn't like them at all. they just don't seem to have the same quality as Associated and others. I would definitely have to spend some track time with a Losi car before I would buy one. On the other hand, I've driven both HPI cars and other Associated vehicles (not the TC3), and liked them both.

Anybody else have any suggestions?

[cc488]

http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/cool.gifI have driven both, and the TC3 is far and away an easier to set up car. The RS4Pro I had would NEVER http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/mad.gif track through a corner, it always wanted to oversteer http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/eek.gif

The TC3 needs a larger front bumper, that will keep accidents from breaking the front a arms. It also needs a metal geared steering servo. It fits my driving style better,my style? FAST http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif heheheh

[cc488]

sorry, I got carried away with the smilies....

[mega01]

I had a TC3 and it was awesome. They're only fragile if you ram into curbs, but I believe all RCs have that problem, no?



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-Mega01.
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Win RC Prizes for sharing your RC knowledge!

[Need4Speed]

I dont find it has too much oversteer.
Tuning is really easy on that car and its very effective.

[Top End]

Boy! You guys aren't making it easy to decide! Sounds like both the PRO2 and TC3 are pretty good cars. I wish I could drive them before I bought one. Anybody willing to ship me their PRO2 or TC3 for a few weeks? http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Need4Speed]

Hehehe my cars in like 100 pieces right now

[Need4Speed]

Well there two totally different cars. Ive driven both and they seem pretty evenly matched performance wise. Personaly id go whith the Pro2 but thats just my opinion,maybe go with the one thats more readily available in your area. Good Luck!!!
http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[cc488]

http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/cool.gif Okay, then take it to the next level, what does everyone else at your track most have, what are parts most readily available for? http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Top End]

Well, the LHS has plenty of parts available for Losi, HPI and Associated. As far as what is at the local track, it is pretty spread out, there is a mix of HPI, AE, Losi, Kyosho, Tamiya, Schumacher. A lot of the guys racing don't mind driving 60 miles to buy parts, but I would rather not. I'll drive 2 hours to race, but not just to pick up an a-arm!

[Need4Speed]

Than go with the Pro 2!! http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif

[mike]

I have a pro 2, i've driven it for about a year on concrete tracks and parking lot races(hobby shack races), i had gotten a really good deal on it, thats why i bought it. but it has allways been a difficult car to setup,(the car i had before was ofna z10)but it is very strong,my hpi nitro 2 which has much of the same suspension was much easer to set up and handled better. my son has a street weapon, my brother a yokomo mr4tc my friend a tc3, i drove all them and felt all three were beter then the pro 2, i bought a yokomo mr4tc and its been a much easer car to setup and i have gotten a lot faster with it. But i don't think any of these cars espically the tc3 or the yokomo are as strong.if i was to chose betwwen the tc3 or pro 2 i would grab the tc3, another thing to look at is that the pro 2 might be replaced in less than a year.

[Twisted Fate]

mike - the Pro2 will not be replaced in less than a year. It will upgraded to a Pro3. There are still plenty of racers using the original Pro, so I don't think you will see the Pro2 fading out any time soon.

topend - not to make your decision any harder, but I just read a review of the new tamiya TAO4, it looks very nice, a good upgrade from the TAO3.

[Top End]

I read on the HPI forum that HPI is planning on releasing the PRO3 in spring 2001, and that almost no parts will carry over from the PRO2, DrDiff said probably less than 20% carry over. I know that there will still be a lot of PRO2's out there when HPI replaces it with the PRO3, but I would hate to buy a PRO2 right now, have it for 5 or 6 months and then it starts becoming obsolete! I might just hang on to my money and wait until spring and see what is out then.

Anybody have any other suggestions? You guys are helping me quite a bit.

[mike]

fate-if they are going to a pro 3 then they are replacing the pro 2, weather it is just a update or a whole new car the pro 2 will be discontinued.
From what i have read on the web it is more then just a simple upgrade. The pro 2 was more then just a simple upgrade over the pro.
I don't think you will see them totaly disapear when the new car gets here ether, but for sure you won't see as many as you do now.

[mike]

Top end- thats a good idea to wait cause not only is the pro 3 coming but you have the TA04, and maybe the new losi car to chose from to.

[atm92484]

I personally haven't owned either of the cars but i do plan to buy the nitro tc3 when it is released. I have however owned 2 associateds and 1 hpi. The hpi just wasn't build as well as the associateds. I think the hpi was a waste of 400 bucks.