RC nitro, im a newb to this

[Hit_N_Run-player]

im really new to RC gas cars and i have been looking around for a nitro car. I have seen these CEN CT4S which seem to be a really good deal for the price. Is this a reputable company? Im not looking for something blazing fast, but i want a nitro, 4wd, 50+mph, that is going to be fairly reliable. I dont really have any hobbys right now and i would like to get into this. What do you think a beginner nitro car like i described would be? Any info would help, thanks....

[mike@af]

Dont start with nitro if this is your first RC. Any reputable, intense RC racer would tell you that. I've said it a million and one times. If you search you can find all the reasons not to start with nitro, and all the reasons to start with electric.

[Hit_N_Run-player]

a lot of my friends started out with Losi nitro buggys, why is that bad? They dont have any problems

[mike@af]

Here are some quotes from other threads I've posted in about why you should start with electric, then if you want, move to nitro afterwards.

Nitro is definately more expensive to maintain. Also it requires more knowledge of how the RC works and how a real car works.Since you have never had an RC before, get an electric. Every person that I have talked out of getting a nitro for their first RC comes back and thanks me. Electrics are a lot less expensive, just as good, quieter (I had cops called several times from my T-MAXX), and a lot easier to maintain.

Quote: <HR SIZE=1>The first mistake you are making is wanting a gas. I tell this to all the people that are planning on getting into RC and want a nitro, then they come back later thanking me.

Go electric if this is your first real RC. Electrics can be/are just as good as nitro's. They are also less complicated, and less expensive. When one thing breaks with a nitro, sometimes you have to rip apart the enitre RC to fix the problem. A lot of people do not know how the basics of RCs work so they cant identify the problem resulting in major problems, then they just become $400-$600 dust collectors.

IImportSupra (Josh) was thinking about getting a gas car for his first, then I told him about it, and now he's going to stick with electric for his first.

I have raced both nitro and electric, the only difference I noticed is the cost, complexity, and noise. With my old T-Maxx I was having the cops called all the time because my truck was too noisy. <HR SIZE=1>

You also mentioned something where you can run until its out of gas and just fill her up again, thats never going to happen with a nitro RC.

Also, maintence is almost after every run with a nitro. They have to be super clean to work well and last long

When you are out, away from your house at a park or something, nitro is less convenient. You have to some times mix the gas, as well as perform maintenence and adjustments. If your far from all your tools, and one thing goes wrong you have to bring everything back home, rip it apart, and fix it. With electric, bring a couple hex-hed wrenches, a screwdriver, and your set if anything comes loose or goes wrong. Oh, dont forget the peak charger.

[Hit_N_Run-player]

how long would a tank of nitro gas last rather than an electric battery? this is one of the reasons why i dont want an electric because the run time always seems very low. And power output is the same?

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by Hit_N_Run-player

how long would a tank of nitro gas last rather than an electric battery? this is one of the reasons why i dont want an electric because the run time always seems very low. And power output is the same?

Power output is the same. It just depends on your setup, and how you want to race it. I have a drift setup on one of mine that is slow, but has a lot of torque and acceleration to slide around turns. Another one has a race setup and used to have an 8T double wound motor, and was fast as hell. A nitro tank usually lasts about 15-20minutes depending on the engine, how you run it, and the size of your tank. My batteries last just as long. I have a speed charger and another battery charging while I race. So as soon as a battery dies, I pop another one in. Takes about a minute to change batteries. Whereas with nitro you have to do some minor maintence after a run, and get it started again taking longer. Buying a speed charger and a couple batteries still ends up being cheaper than a nitro.

Take my two cents for what its worth. I have a buddy that is a professional RC racer, sponsored by several companies including Team Losi and Team Associated, he got rid of all of his NitroTC3's because they were a pain in the ass.

[Hit_N_Run-player]

what is a good electric car to start with? i would like to do some drift/street..

[mike@af]

Wanting to do drift requires electric anyway. What exactly are you looking for? RTR or a Kit and buy all the electronics. I'd suggest the HPI Sprint which is RTR. Many people start out with that car and can drift really well with it.

[Hit_N_Run-player]

So is this a good deal that would suit me? http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0161p?&I=LZ1306

[mike@af]

That is a kickass deal and package. Even though the Sprints are RTR's, once you have felt you are ready for upgrades there are plenty out there for that chassis including CF parts, faster motors, longer batteries, and more.

[Beached420]

I know i dug up a old one. Does anyone know what Mike meant by CF parts in his last post?

[pre98zetec]

Carbon Fibre.. A light, insanly strong material