Built used or new... What to buy?

[mrcox]

I am about to buy a decent crawler. I don't want to spend any more than 300 on the initial purchase. Upgrades down the road are acceptable. I know with big 1:1 4wheeling it is cheaper to buy a built rig than to build it yourself. Although you get a certain satisfaction when you build something yourself, it is just so damn expensive and at the end of the day you cannot sell it for half of what you have into it. Whereas buying one built or semi built is nice because it is ready to wheel, but there could be things that you would have done differently. I think buying something semi-built is the way to go, or something with the basic mods that are just a given that everyone does.

Does anyone have any good suggestions on whether or not to buy a new one or get a nicer used one off the for sale forum here?

I have a wally crawler from wal-mart, but that thing isn't really up my alley.

 

[boneskid1]

it kind of depends on what you are wanting to do scaleing or comp crawling building your crawler can sometimes be alot more expensive than buying an rtr for example the ax10 or scx10 from axial may be a good start you usually can find used ax10 comp crawlers for less than a 100

 

[Hyde802]

atta boy benny. Theres lots of good spots up here to crawl. Im sure CT is full of them too.

 

[Stinky One]

I say wait to buy off of the classifieds. When you get onto the classifieds you will find a lot of rigs for sale and if your patient, you can find a good deal. I waited and bought a built up AX 10 for a real good deal. I also bought most of the stuff for my rig off of this site and saved myself a lot of money.

 

[Greatscott]

Is this you first hobby-grade RC, or have you been around the hobby a while? If this is your first, I recommend buying new, you'll pay more for it, but you won't get frustrated trying to figure out someone else's problems. But, if you already have a handle on things like ESCs, TX/RXs, batteries and chargers, then I recommend buying used.

 

[squatch71]

I second the notion from "GreatScott" buy a star and look around the forsale section..you really can't go wrong there. If your handy and you know about RC"s, you can pick up parts and build your own. I got a complete car (from buying parts from different users here) and i have right around 225 in it...no radio or receiver or batteries...but everything else...it can be done and its a cool way to know your rig, and you get to learn on the way how everything works.

 

[tech126]

I always buy used.

You just need to know what to look for or have a friend that is in the hobby with you when you do the purchase.

I know that I will always replace parts so that is why I buy used.

Also buying someone else toy may be the route too. It may be alot cheaper that way.

 

[Nubster]

I like the idea of buying new and building myself but at the same time being limited in cash I will likely go the used route to save money. I am excited and I don't really care how I get into crawling as long as I can get into it. I think my 4 year old will really dig it too.

 

[Shawn M]

Go brushless from the start, new or used. Less drama and more torque.

 

[chromoly77]

i agree with the ones that tell you to wait for the classified adds im here and im waiting for that to.

 

[losichris]

Go brushless from the start, new or used. Less drama and more torque.

Brushless isnt as good as brushed unless you are running a losi

 

[bubbaskyjacker]

used all the way. my buddy paid less and his ax10 crawls better than mine

 

[bellbrandon83]

Brushless isnt as good as brushed unless you are running a losi

Why?

 

[asw27x]

it stall out at low speeds and is not good at low speed witch thats what crawlers do brushed it is smoother and has more torge
the reson people dont run brushed in the losi is because of the worm gears because they burn the brushed out unless its a traxxes slash motor

 

[bellbrandon83]

I see, good info!

 

[m0nster]

I went rounds with this same topic, I was going to buy an exceed or something along those lines, sub $200 mark. then I started looking and new rigs, $350+

I eventually bought a very nice used rig for a middleground $300 and I couldnt be happier with it. youll get the purists saying that bought vs built etc etc. but if you have rc experience there's nothing wrong with buying a used prebuilt rig. I plan on multiple future builds including a scaler and a tuber rock racer. so buying a prebuilt rig was the absolute best band for the buck for me. considering what the DMG Nemesis chassis mine has would cost $50 more than a complete exceed crawler.