Revive or buy new for 8 year old?

[p8md]

An RC track opened a few weeks ago in our town. I tooled around with my RC10 back when I was a kid so I thought it would be something my son (8 years old) would like. I took the kids over there during a practice session and his eyes opened up as soon as he walked in. He kept asking if he could “borrow” one.

I have two original gold pan RC10s stamped “A” that my dad bought me and himself one back in the day (around 1985). I beat mine up pretty good but my dad’s is almost NIB. His has just a few light scratches on the back of the pan by the motor and plenty of tread left on the original tires. Both still have the original MSC but I have a NIB Duratrax Blast ESC that was never installed.

I don’t want to spend a ton of money getting him started and learning. He may lose interest or get frustrated. He needs a trainer car. My question is this… would it be cheaper to buy a current model or try to revive the RC10? The RC10's both currently have a MSC, no battery, original NiCd timer charger, original Futaba Junior radios and receivers, and Futaba servos. The condition of the motors is unknown. Mine is probably shot buy my dad’s DID work and was barely used. Both are “Stock” motors.

I have been out of the RC world for 20+ years. I don’t have a clue about the newer cars (what is good or bad). Most of the kids at the track are running new Traxxas Slash’s. I’ve heard these were tanks and would take a beating. BTW, I don’t ever remember breaking much on the RC10, but its 25 years old now and I’m sure the plastic has aged.

Regardless, I would like to get the RC10 back up and running (for me), but I would like to hear your opinion on what I need to get for my son. If you suggest reviving the RC10, please suggest what I need to upgrade. Please be specific as I haven’t touched a car in 20 years. From what I’ve read recently, the ESC needs to be compatible with the motor and battery type. If you suggest buying new or slightly used, please specify the specific car and model and things to look for. I don’t mind wrenching, but I don’t want a bunch of downtime because an 8 year old can get impatient.

And no, I’m not selling the RC10’s. I also don’t want them to be shelf queens either.

[flipwils11]

I went through a similar debate and I went down one path so I can share my experience with you. My son is now 5 but we started bashing last summer when he was 4 (EMPTY parking lots are best!).

I got two so-so condition gold pan RC10's, one for him, and one for me. His had some frequent issues mostly with the 6-gear but also bent nose tubes. Some were car and age related, some related to his learning curve. Due to the scarcity of parts at local hobby stores requiring downtime and frustration both for me and him while I went on ebay or this board to buy stuff, I would not recommend it.

He still learned a lot and has gotten pretty good at driving. But even with the B3 I picked up last Fall and had him drive, it was challenging because the penalty for mistakes and hard crashes is so much more on the buggies and to him with the on/off style driving and speed (and usually no brakes), it just doesn't work. The solution was a RTR Traxxas Slash. They take a ton of abuse, are still quick and fun to drive (not as fun as the buggy in my opinion and don't handle as well either) but for him, it's perfect. And a local track has spec Slash racing which keeps his interest peaked. We've broken some rear hubs racing and they have spares on hand at the track and I had his truck going again in less than 10 minutes. It is the smart way to go to keep his interest high and minimize stress on you.

[tim.sanderson]

+1 on the Slash. Super-durable, and a nib 2WD rtr won't break the bank. Save the gold tubs fer yerself!

[8rad]

I wholeheartedly agree! My son is not quite old enough yet(2 1/2) but when he is I will buy a RTR off the shelf at my LHS where they have large stock of parts. Lets be honest, when they are really young do they know the difference between a RTR slash and an Edinger rc10? No, but Your wallet sure will when they slam into the curb at 30mph.

In order for our kids to enjoy the hobby it has to be easily accessible and above all FUN! Let them run their Traxxas into the curb all day long.

[Chris K]

+1000

There is a reason that the SC classes are so popular - they're durable, relatively easy to drive and look realistic.

My suggestion would be to get him started with a Slash (there are others 'almost' as durable but the Slash are well supported just about everywhere!) and then work VERY hard not to get yourself one too!! OK, not so much; the Slash and SC trucks are the favorites of pretty much everyone except for the elitist minority who feel that they're not worthy of attention. For every one of 'those' there are bunches of US who are having a BALL racing short course!

When your son developes interest and skills, he can help you restore the RC10s of your youth!!!!!

[flipwils11]

There is a reason that the SC classes are so popular - they're durable, relatively easy to drive and look realistic.

Funny, no one commented on my video in the other thread I started so here is the video again. Watch until the end and you'll see why I recommend the Slash RTR over a buggy (especially an old gold pan buggy).

Slash video

[CamplinP]

Do you plan on getting back into it as well? If you do you might think about getting him the same thing. I was not thinking a few years ago when I bought myself a T4 and my son a Duratrax Evader ST. He did not wreck it much but it was in constant need of repairs, especially the transmission and CVDs. I spent so much time on that POS that I could not run mine. It may seem like a cheap solution in the short run but in the long term it was not worth it. I soon bought another great condition T4 from the bay and put a brushless system in it. Maintenence is almost a thing of the past. I now need half the parts stock since we share them, tools are the same, etc. Buy good stuff right off the bat and save the headache.

[Kaiser Q]

I'd have to agree.A 2WD Slash would be a perfect backyard basher/weekend racer for a little guy to get started with.Fun to drive and they take a serious beating.Plus the RTRs are fairly "waterproof" right out of the box so a puddle mishap won't fry the electronics.Save the gold pans for yourself or for him when he's older.JMO

btw great video flip

[m_vice]

I debated this for a long time; my son was 3 and was asking me to get him a car like mine. After rebuilding and restoring many RC10ns I decided to look info finding a nice used one for him to play with and run (or destroy). He would occasionally go to my study and work on a pile of parts I have set a side for him at the same time that I was working on my cars so I was thinking, why not.

I found a nice used Original RC10 with a stealth and long front arms for a very reasonable price, Though I might keep it but the previous owner gave it to me ready to run with Novak ESC and Futaba radio and My son went crazy with it, he did not want to let the car go so now he had a RC10.

This is the story.
http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12084


He still runs it occasionally but not all the time like the first couple of weeks.
I am thinking I eventually will get him a Traxxas to run and end up restoring his first RC car even, the one like his Dad's.

[besty22]

I Bought my son a Tamiya Rising fighter for his first car and that worked out well. He drove it well but it was too bouncy. So I painted a new B44 body for my Baja King and gave that to him for his bday (among other things)
We took it to the track and he turned it into a brushless ballistic missile.
(Yes I saw the error of my ways installing that system but only after he crashed)
Sanpped the front clean off. Luckily spares are cheap so I am sticking to that car for now.
After a few more trips to the track I may upgrade him to something a bit more driveable if he gets more interested.
I reckon cheap and common is the way to go for first timers and gradual upgrading to something better.
Besty

[fordtransman]

I bought my Son a Slash RTR several years ago. I personally cannot break it even with 10 foot jumps. I think the only thing we have had trouble with is keeping the motor pinion engaged to the spur... Landings are killer on the transmission at WOT (Wide open throttle)

[p8md]

Thanks for all your help. Looks like you have all swayed me towards a Slash. I’ll probably start going that route and looking for a Slash.

SO… to change the subject a little. I still want to revive the RC10 and “modernize” it a little. I don’t want anything wild but something that would initially keep up with the stock Slash’s on a dirt oval but retain the vintage feel. Like I said in the 1st post, everything on the RC10 is stock, circa 1985. What upgrades would you suggest while remaining on a budget? Keep in mind, I still have to buy my son a Slash now. One place I need to start is batteries to see if this thing even runs.

Thank for all your help.

[PBR Allstar]

just start reading posts, you'll find all you want to know about bringing your '10 back to life.

As far as the slash decision, that is by far and away the best route, it's great for the parking lot, the yard, etc. and almost every track has a stock spec slash class should you want to try racing. The only thing you may want to pick up for the truck (the only part my 12 year old has broken on it with countless laps of the racetrack/yard/snowbanks etc.) is a set of RPM rear hub carriers as the stock ones are a little weak. Another great point about the slash that I didn't see mentioned, is it's very water resistant, a good thing because most kids somehow find the water at one point or another with their first RC.

[flipwils11]

Another great point about the slash that I didn't see mentioned, is it's very water resistant, a good thing because most kids somehow find the water at one point or another with their first RC.

Yep, great point and I forgot to mention that in my post. The water resistance has been great to keep my son driving as our hard MN slowly thaws and there are situations where it is a nice enough day to be out but melting snow creates lots of runoff in the parking lot.

[p8md]

Ok... I have some sad news. Not for the faint of heart. I'm already hearing the "I told you so's". I haven't had enough fun money to buy my son a slash. So I started restoring my old RC10. I had an ESC that was never installed. I installed the ESC and charged an old battery just to see if the old RC10 had any spark left in it. It ran great. I let my son drive it in the street. We ran it for about 10 or 15 minutes and he was really getting the hang of the steering. He went down the street and turned the wrong way and ran it in the ditch. No big deal I thought. He ran to get it out of the ditch and his face dropped. He said "WATER DAD"! Still I thought no big deal, well it was a real big deal. It was perfectly sitting in about 4" of water. It found the only water in the neighborhood! I turned it off immediately but it probably sat in the puddle for 20-30 seconds before we got to it.

I sprayed most everything with WD40 and then the air compressor. I'm going to let it sit for a couple of days and dry out. I have a duplicate of almost everything but the ESC. What's your opinion... Is everything electrical ruined? Anything else to be concerned about? Thanks.