Recommendations for a child's first car?

[chucksolo]

A good first car would be a Traxxas Rustler in a truck or a Traxxas Street Sport in a sedan. Both are very durable, reasonably fast and can be hopped up easily as he gets better at controlling it. The best part is they won't break the bank.

[BrahmaBullSQ]

i recommend the traxxas rustler too. ig ot mine with a radio and everything for $180. i really enjoy it.

[JoeTheShmoe]

I would also have to go with the rustler. I have had mine for a while, and the biggest thing i have done it it was bent the front drive shaft because it hit the garage too fast. (not my fault!!) heh.

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win:1.To achive victory or finish first in a competetion. 2.To achive sucsess in an effort.
Lose:1.To be unable to find. 2. To be deprived of. 3. To be unable to maintain or keep. 4. To fail to win; be defeated. 5. To fail to take advantage of. 6. To let (oneself) become engrossed. 7. To rid oneself. 8 To cause loss of. 9. To suffer loss.


What do you do?

[tadium54]

I would recomend a Tamiya Wild Willy 2. It was relatively cheep, fun,qiuck and easy to build, easy to modify, good instructions, can wheelie and do some good tricks, etc. if you can get a hold of th January 2000 copy of Radio Control Car Action, theres a review of it.I have one and im saving up money for upgrades.It took me like 7 hours to build it(i have ADD, so it was pretty good time for me)

[Orange Pedeanaut]

Anything Traxxas. They are very good and user friendly. I have a Traxxas Stampede. A little fast for a six year old (18 mph)but like you said hell grow into it http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Stampede chassis, Juggernaut 2 tires, Orange lifted body. Any questions???

[R_C_MAN]

I'd say get a Electric Rustler. They are tough and can be hopped up later. The stock 20 turn would probably just the right speed maybe a little faster. If you dont want the speeds to be that insane just dont get a low turn motor. And possibly gear it so it wont be fast that way he will also get lots of run time.

[mjdewitt]

My son who is 6 really wants an RC car. Rather than buying one of the toy cars from toys-r-us, I figured he would be better off with a real rc car that can be repaired when it breaks and that he can grow into.

In looking through the magazines, I'm just not sure what to buy, and what is important and what's not. This car would be used in neighborhood parks which means an off-road type of truck would be more useable.

Also, it occurs to me that a speed governor would be desireable though I haven't found this feature mentioned anywhere. but perhaps this is just an obvious feature of trimmming the speed control to limit the top speed.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this and would like to keep the cost less than $200 if possible.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[mjdewitt]

Thanks to all for the advice.

Mike

[Twisted Fate]

mjdewitt - Go with the Wild Willy good starter vehicle for that age. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to start a wonderful hobby with your son. Be aware that if you are not already in to RC's, that it is addicting and you will not be satisfied just helping him with his car, you will have to have one of your own(yeah, like just one is going to be enough)

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Twisted Fate
What do you mean 4 feet in the air is not what you meant by "off-road"?

[GTman]

If you have a hobby shop near you, I'd go there and see what they specialize in or stock most of. That way they would be more inclined to help you and if something breaks you don't have to wait for it in the mail.

[Top End]

How about the Kyosho Mini-Z ? Comes with everything you need, plus you don't have to mess with maintaining NiCD's or NiMh batteries, just use AAA's. Plus he can run it on the kitchen floor just as well as in a parking lot. It isn't very fast, and it has a transmitter just like he would use with a 1/10th scale car, so he can get used to that. Only $149 and your ready to go.

[COLIN]

WEL MIKE, ALL I CAN SAY IS LISTEN TO THESE GUYS, ITS ALL great advice, especially the addictive part.
haVE FUN

[john]

Mike - I would recommend the Traxxas Stampede. Has big tires (won't get stuck in high grass), takes ALOT of punishment, most LHS's stock parts(check with yours!). I believe for @200 you can get a RTR one but you lose half the fun which is building it together. Most Kids LOVE monster trucks (adults too). As far as limiting speed, don't do it http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif, stick with a stock motor, he'll get the hang of it! Or just go to a smaller pinion.

Good Luck!