Basher for a 7 year old...

[druz]

Finally got into the R/C world after 30 years of drooling and dreaming (still going to grab a Tamiya Grasshopper because it was the first one I wanted as a kid...)

My uncle got my son a Dromida M/T, so I grabbed one as well... Fun little trucks for the short course around the garage... Eventually he gave me his old Traxxas E-Maxx (2002 era)... Replaced a few broken parts and I was hooked...

Grabbed an Axial Yeti and a Helion Select Four S/C truck... and I love both of them...

Little man is wanting "his own" and being a sentimental guy, don't want him trashing the E-Maxx.....

Thought about snagging a ARRMA Granite Mega or two for some bashing fun for the both of us...

Any other recommendations? Price point is around $200 give or take $50...

Thanks!

 

[EZCompany]

Probably should avoid Arrma right now... Hobbico filed bankruptcy last week and parts could pretty hard to come by in the near future.

I'd look to Redcat Racing. That's what my 7yo runs and he really enjoys it. And so far it handles all the abuse he throws at it.

 

[TheLetterJ]

It's hard to beat a brushed 2wd Traxxas Slash/Rustler/Stampede for low(ish) budget bashing. Parts are cheap and readily available (usually have it repaired within a day of breaking anything), aftermarket upgrades abound, can convert to brushless with a $30 ebay special when he's ready for more speed. If you already have batteries you can get a Rustler for $149 (I'd skip the $139 Bandit buggy.)

My older son got a brushless Dromida for his 6th birthday and it was fast for sure, but fragile, and almost useless in anything resembling offroad. That car nickle and dimed the heck out of us, so for his 7th birthday we got him a 2wd Slash that has been converted to brushless. Honest to goodness, the Slash is cheaper to keep alive, and breaks much less often than his 4.18 and he has not showed it any mercy jumping it off of dunes and bmx jumps. I wish that I had just started him with the Slash, he can race it around our culdesac, run it at our local track, bash it around dirt lots, run it in the dunes (with paddles), and it does just fine everywhere. I think the Rustler's shorter wheelbase, wider track width and fatter tires make it the better choice for bashing, so if you don't plan on racing at tracks, I'd steer you that way.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Traxxas Slash 2WD. You can't beat it. Inexpensive, durable, easy and cheap to fix, parts are everywhere, and the body protects most of the suspension components so it can take extra hits before breaking.

Arrma isn't Traxxas. They don't have the presence in most LHS, they don't have the aftermarket support and the bankruptcy says their future is up in the air.

 

[Jim85IROC]

The 2WD Traxxas vehicles are always a solid choice. They're extremely durable, save for a couple parts that the aftermarket has improved on (steering knuckles).

That said, another option is the ECX line of 2wd trucks. In my opinion, they're more durable than the Traxxas stuff, and are cheaper too. You can go with the Ruckus/Torment/Circuit trucks, or if you want to save a few bucks (especially if you know you're going to upgrade later), you can go with the Amp MT. I've got all of the above except for the Torment, and they're stupid-durable. Parts support is excellent online, and equally as good if you have a local hobby shop that carries ECX. The aftermarket isn't as robust as Traxxas, but there's still plenty available.

From a driving perspective, I like the Ruckus better than the Stampede because the longer wheelbase makes it more stable. If you prefer a wheelie monster though, the Stampede is a better choice. In terms of looks, it's awful hard to beat the Traxxas Bigfoot trucks, especially with the old school body.

I started my son on an ECX Circuit when he was 3-ish (or was it 4? I honestly can't remember anymore). He's still got it (he's 8 1/2 now) and still likes it. I've upgraded the motor/esc a couple times, painted up a few bodies, and changed wheels/tires a couple times too. He's still not bored with it.

I started my daughter on an Amp MT last year at age 4. She's less into the whole RC thing than my boy is, but it's been a good starter vehicle for her. It's still all stock.

Dad and my father in law both got Ruckuses (Ruckusi?). Father in law's is all stock because he can't even handle that much power as well as my 4 year old can. My dad's has a nice brushless Tacon/Hobbywing setup that makes it a boatload of fun to drive.

Of them all, my Dad's Ruckus is the most fun to drive from my perspective, though it really needs a servo upgrade.

I've got reviews of all this stuff on my youtube page if you're interested. Rather than flood this post with a million videos, here's a link to my main page if you're interested:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2jfegrv5SbfMpi8eO9OKhA/featured?disable_polymer=1

If you go to the videos tab and scroll down you'll see all of the ECX vehicles.

 

[Topher Builds]

The big foot no 1 can take a good beating (traxxas 2wd stampede) and like everyone else has said you can’t go wrong with a brushed slash as a starter. Parts everywhere, knowledge everywhere, and you can upgrade it easily as he gets older/more skilled.

If you’re looking for cheaper, the new bandit/rustler is a deal if you already have batteries and a charger.

 

[druz]

Thanks everyone for your replies....

Looks like I will be getting a couple of Slash's for us to beat up...

 

[Teng]

The new kings of brasher are here now. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kECAvK9nsd8

Pro Scale 4wd Unlimited Desert Racer and E-Revo 2.0. https://www.bigsquidrc.com/3-new-traxxas-vehicles-at-nuremburg-toy-fair/