Hey Turtle I've been drooling over a new rally kit to build. I've never been a big fan of belt driven cars or trucks, but I do like the XV-01 chassis layout to over look the belt drive. I've decided against HPI's WR8 KB Flux as it's not really scale rallying off-roading except for gymkhana which isn't my thing for rallying.
The belt drive had me pretty worried in the beginning and still does on occasion, but the car drives so good, that it is worth the extra maintenance that comes with owning a belt drive. While I would prefer the front motor design to be a shaft driven one, I just can't emphasize how well the XV-01 drives.
So I've narrowed it down between the XV-01 or the Kyosho DRX VE. Both are neck and neck but I am leaning on the XV-01 because it's a kit and the DRX VE is an RTR with none of the electronics I plan on using. Also the Kyosho being an odd ball 1/9 makes the body choices limited as well as tires/wheels. I love my DF-03Ra's and I run Sidewinders in them with 4600kv 2pole Castle motors with slipper clutch and heat sink bars as the only upgrades along with scale lighting.
Both are really great cars, the scale of the DRX allows the car to be very versatile, but it is surprising how good the XV-01 is. I honestly think (now that I have a lot of drive time on the XV-01) that I can drive it faster then the DRX on the Colorado rally tracks. Not to mention that 10th scale rally is a class that can expand if guys in your area decide to race, whereas the DRX is in a class of its own in the scale size aspect. And yes Kyosho generally calls it 9th scale, but it is more like 7th scale if you measure it. Also if you love your DF03ra you will be blown away by the XV-01, yes it is hands down better then the DF03ra.
Should I look into the XV-01 or the XV-01 Pro IF compaing to the Kyosho for $400? Or is the pro version not really necessary if I'm just playing around? the only option I plan on getting at the moment is the slipper clutch. It kinda depends what body you want to run.
If the body you want is supplied with the kit, then yes get the standard XV01. The other determining factor would be how much you can find it for. If you can track down a XV-01 pro for 230.00-ish I would go for it. I heard rumor that someone is selling it for that. I used to believe that the Pro kit was not worth the price, since to me it didn't really come with anything I wanted to upgrade besides CVD's, but if you can find it for 250.00 or less I would go for it.
Planning on running a MMP w/Tekin Pro4 4600kv or MMP w/1410 3800kv 4pole. Would this be too much for the XV-01?
The XV-01 would be great with either of these motors. However my personal choice would be for the 4600kv with a MMP. I run a 5700kv and while it is debateble if the car can handle it it drives well enough to stay under control with the power.
Tamiya plastics, alloys, and "steel" although strong always worries me!