Buying your first RC car

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Buying your first RC car

Things to know before buying your first RC car

RC car collection is a fun hobby that has kept people interested for several years. Enthusiasts derive fun from speed, power, precision, and control. Are you also contemplating joining the bandwagon? Would you also like to buy your first RC car? Or you’d just like to make a kid happy with a new toy?

As exciting as it sounds, buying an RC car for the first time is still associated with some confusion. 

Here in this article, we will help you with some points that you need to consider before investing in your first RC car.

Below are the things to remember before you buy your first RC car:

  • Who is the RC car for? 

An RC car is suitable for all age groups, however, the uses vary based on the age of the owner. For instance, if you are buying it for a kid, they’d like something cool to race around. The RC cars intended for kids, thus need to be easy to unbox and start playing with right away. This will ensure maximum fun out of the purchase. If the purchase is intended for a hobbyist, you may look for cars that can run at very high speeds.

  • Budget

A good thing about buying an RC car is that there is one for every budget. You can choose based on the use as well as the age of the primary user. Young enthusiasts can fulfill their desire of buying an RC car for as low as $25. 

    This means that it is not too expensive to keep little enthusiasts engaged for hours. Hobby RC cars cost a lot more. However, true enthusiasts use their collectibles for a very long time and the cheap cars do not hold up as much as the high-end hobby cars do. This is an important consideration to make before buying an RC car.

    • Know the purpose

    It is important to consider if the car will be used only as a toy or is for a hobby. Many people do not know that there is a world of difference between a toy and hobby-grade RC cars. Hobby-grade cars are very high in quality as compared to toy cars and are manufactured using better and more durable materials. 

      Hobby-grade cars are modular enough so that individual parts can be replaced. This is not the case with toy cars.

      • Kit or RTR

      RTR cars are those that are ready to run as soon as you unbox them whereas kits come with individual components that you can assemble to come up with your RC cars. 

        Kids and beginners love RTR cars and hobbyists love dedicating time and effort to assemble their car. It needs experience and knowledge and hobbyists take joy in researching and learning. This choice will depend on the age and experience of the owner.

        • Brand

        Like all other purchases, the brand makes an important statement while buying RC cars too. Manufacturers that have been delivering high-quality cars for a long time manage to stand out from the rest who are still nascent and growing. 

          The best manufacturer will depend on need and purpose but some have already carved a niche in the market. You can browse through cars by top manufacturers and get your hands on the perfect RC car for your needs.

          • Model Type

          The choice of model depends on the intended use of the car. Serious collectors are often on the hunt for models with more features and options whereas beginners can do with basic ones. 

            They also look out for high speeds and power options. Models vary based on maximum speed, controllability, ability to move on tough terrains, etc. No one model fits all needs, it will depend on your purpose. Most people weigh control and handling ease higher than the other factors.

            • Power options 

            RC cars can be categorized into two primary types. These are electric and nitro-powered RC cars. Hobbyists love nitro-powered cars for the smell of gas and the noise of the engine as they race it around. However, the cost of fuel is high and needs to be accounted for while making your purchase. 

              People argue that it is just a small car, but you will need it up and running whenever you like and thus you will have to bear the gas costs. Nitro-powered cars can be customized better and are generally faster. Electric cars have certain limitations on power and speed but can be charged anytime as they run on batteries. 

              They do not make as much noise as the gas version but also have lower power as compared to them.

              • Availability of upgrades

              Most RC car hobbyists look for cars that can be customized and upgraded. Hobby-grade cars come with this feature. This makes it possible to achieve desired results by just upgrading the car. However, electric RC cars are mostly not upgradable but gas-powered cars are. 

                You can make changes to the gear ratio, weight, tires, engine, etc. This freedom and control drive the RC car hobbyists who always look forward to doing unique things with their car. The number of kits available is overwhelming and you could go on making cool upgrades to your RC car.

                Conclusion

                If you are looking forward to buying an RC car either for your use or for gifting, above are the factors that you need to keep in mind. All RC cars differ in all aspects such as power level and price. Choose based on the age and experience of the enthusiast and do not forget to focus on the budget and purpose. 

                Younger enthusiasts mostly need reasonably priced cars whereas serious hobbyists will look for high customizability. If you have enlisted the basic requirements, you can find amazing options to sustain your love for RC cars here.