stickboy007 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:27 pm
The CAT XLS is a better racer, but will certainly require more attention to detail and more finesse when driving it. Schumacher's jankiness makes AE look quality by comparison The Javelin can also be very fast, especially on low grip tracks, but you may find it is not quite as adjustable.
- For the money, you're better off finding a CAT 2000, restoring it, and getting a few spares. Both the 2000 and 2000 EC are quite good on the track, and easier to work on than the XLS.
- If money is no object, get a '95 YZ10 and a repro '97 upper deck with the YR4 M2 center spring unit. Much stronger than a CAT and just as fast, although the front is not quite as adjustable.
- A great middle ground would be a Lazer ZXR. Not nearly as expensive as the Yokomos, but almost as strong. As adjustable as the CAT, and the sharpest handling in any 4wd buggy I've driven. Needs some work to get it to jump well, but it's possible.
I assume you're not quite looking for digging up vintage cars, though, and are more interested in building a re-re. In that case, you're probably better off with a Top Force than either of the Javelin or XLS. Putting the diff spline issues and lack of slipper clutch aside, they're dynamically very good and parts are plentiful. Just don't put a crazy motor in it and you'll be fine.
Thanks for the suggestions - No doubt your recos are better performing cars - but anything after 1990 is just not retro enough for me
My first and only RC car is/was a Tamiya Porsche 959, given to me for my 12th birthday by my generous parents in 1987. I was torn between that, a BigWig, a Javelin or a Schumacher Cat. Went with the 959 as I thought it would be the easiest build for a beginner. My best friend got an RC10 which I though was cool but didn’t want to have the same car he had LOL.
So this is really about getting a car I couldn’t have back in the day - I remember drooling over the Javelin and Schumacher boxes - but ultimately leaving with the 959.
I have since restored the 959 and my son and I have had so much fun with it that I want to take the next step. I want to move away from all the plastic Tamiya parts and try something more durable and fast, with a real racing pedigree.
I see, so in that case I think you'd have more fun with the Javelin. It's a stronger car for fooling around with, and in my view it looks way cooler than the XLS.
Can anyone tell me whether the parts for the Schumacher Cat, Cat XL and Cat XLS are the same? Also, there appear to be various parts listed on EBAY with part numbers beginning with U. Does anyone know whether I can locate a list which sets out which...
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Obvioulsy, that's an open invitation to anyone who can help me out with getting hold of NIP parts or a NIB kit..... :wink:
The CAT XLS was an upgraded version of the Cat XL, which itself was a long wheelbase version of the original CAT (Competition All Terrain) buggy. Distribution in America was initially handled by Trinity as can be seen in this ad from 1988:
this is one of the other resto's i was able to complete this month. Thank you for all the great scans on the CAT (remember the design?) and hints on diffs. The color combo is that flashy i nearly wasn't able to capture it properly. Also...
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Yeah it ought to be, I built it! LOL
Grrrrrr :) But i diasassembled it and replaced all the plastic parts with new ones :) And i put in new diffs and such, and wide track and a quicksilver motor and.... - whatever! Thanks again for supplying me...
I have been meaning to post some pics of my NIP CAT XLS build for a while now. So here we are. The build started with being one which was about 95% nip with the remaining parts being good condition second hand. However, I have since managed to...
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Charles,
Absolutely gorgeous build. Can't wait to see some pics with a painted shell. Definitely a cool looking buggy.
Well i was in my basement the other day looking at all my vintage cars and noticed my cat that was hanging from the rafters. Yes i would hang my old car i retired from my rafters dirt and all. It looked lonely so i pulled it down and broke out all...
Hey guys, I thought I'd throw up some pics of my modded Shumacher Cat XLS runner. I've had this car for many years now and it has proven to be a great fun super aggressive car to run. These things corner like nothing else, even making a XX4 look...
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Yep that's me, no worries. :)
Haven't really done anything with my Cats in a while. I keep getting sidetracked with my RC planes. These days I find driving RC cars somewhat dull and boring, lacking in dimension, though my brushless lunchbox is...