Convince a moron to buy a mini-z

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:26 am

alright - on more than one occassion I've been thinking about getting a mini-z.
I'll be honest and say I really don't know much about them, I know alot of you pimps out there know more than I do so I'm looking for some guidance here.
I know there's a shitload of variations I could go with, but that really doesn't help my quench my thirst.
I want a fast, small, affordable, non-dookie, hard-core, r/c that can take a beating. I want to be able to drive like betty (on the roof), jump like evil knievel... basically I want it all. and I don't want something that's a money pit - it shouldn't cost a shitload and I shouldn't have to buy replacement parts all the time to keep it running.

so - school me, what's up on the mini-z's?

Sdog · Post by **Sdog** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:47 am

Sounds like you described an xmod to me.

sg219 · Post by **sg219** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:51 am

CaboWabo wrote:I want a fast, small, affordable, non-dookie, hard-core, r/c that can take a beating. I want to be able to drive like betty (on the roof), jump like evil knievel...

Get a Xmod.

I don't have a Mini-Z, so I won't give you any BS on them, but I think they are way overpriced for what you get and the durability of them. Enough there.

The Iwaver I have, I had out only one night with Bird, Hog, and me. I was jumping it off of curbs, cripple ramps, and roof slides too. I broke all kinds of shit!! The switch broke, the battery casing, the knuckle, and it also started to act funny electronicly. It just couldn't handle the abuse!! It's meant more for racing and level shit, just like the Mini-Z.

The Xmods I've run have taken SHITLOADS of abuse from me!!! From jumping them down 10 steps, to flipping them, or rolling it 10 times and still get right back on the track or pavement. I can surely say that an Xmod is way more durable for what your looking for in a 1:28th. Stop past my video page for some Xmod action!!

http://www.sg219.com/Download.html

Then there are all the other 1:28th's, the Monster-Z, and the Overland-Z. Neither of which I feel will live up to your "$$$$ to bash" ratio unless you want to spend the $$$ on parts and repairs.

If all else fails, get a MINI-T!!!!!!!!!!

Edit:While I was typing my post, Sdog posted his thoughts and I totally agree.

Sdog · Post by **Sdog** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 12:56 am

sg219 wrote:Edit:While I was typing my post, Sdog posted his thoughts and I totally agree.

Yeah...but you may have a good point about the mini-t....eventhough its a bigger scale. Probably could take a lot more bashing.

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:05 am

okay, shit.. I was kinda biased against the xmod, but...
so can ya give me difference between mini-t and xmod?
from price to parts, durability, yada yada yada?

sg219 · Post by **sg219** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:22 am

The Xmod....$49.99 is a starter kit
Incudes Controller, Chassis, Body and everything you need to run except batteries. I recommend Ray-O-Vac IC3's which are $14.99 for 4 AAA's, you would probably like to have two sets on hand depending on your use. They only take 15min to charge. You will aslo need the charger for them, which at last I heard was going for $29.99 at Wally World and comes with 2 AA's, which I use in other stuff. Don't forget your 9volt battery either, thats for the controller.

So to get up and running fith an Xmod...

Starter kit
Batt Charger
2 sets of AAA's
1--9 volt batt.

Total of $112.96 + tax

Upgrades will hurt the pocket a little, but for the most part all you need are the bearing and a motor which can be found on Ebay real cheap. The bearings from IrvingMan on Ebay can run you about $10 shipped (sometimes less, sometimes more depending on how you abuse the Ebay system), where as RS will charge you $20!! A motor, depending on where you go, will run you $14.99 for 4 Stage 2's at RS and then if you decide to shop online....its all about where you choose to shop.

The Mini-T...1:18th scale.....Cheapest I've seen it is $119.00, but I suggest buying one from a friend or someone online. You'll almost always get a GREAT deal. (Thanks Ahh5hit!!)

The Kit comes with everything you need to get up and running I beleive. I don't think you need anything else. I didn't buy mine new so i'm not exactly sure on if they come with a stock battery pack and charger or not. Either way they aren't that bad to buy aftermarket.

I don't know if you've been keeping up with LordDevo's and My Mini-T's in the "Oh, No, Look what I went and did thread..." There you will see some pretty good Mini-t info.

Then the must have upgrade of bearings and a motor.

I hope this helps.

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:31 am

dude it does for sure, you don't know how much... thank you

I'd buy somefin from Ahh5hit any day - you can tell the dude takes care of his shit.

ahh5hit - you reading this? you got another mini-t I know - you got like 10 of everything cool. lol

I might be in the market, you wanna entertain it?

sg219 · Post by **sg219** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:40 am

He might!! The one I got didn't have a spec of chrome or bling on it.

He's holdin' onto the blingin' one...

betty.k · Post by **betty.k** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 4:39 am

i've found the xmod far more durable than the z's. i've ditched the z's altogether. only real setback is the low clearance.

if you're gonna think about 1:18 offroad then check out the duratrax mini quake. 4wd, 8 oil shocks, bb's, impressive package.

Sdog · Post by **Sdog** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 9:24 am

Bwaaaaahahahaa! this thread is all about messing with cdub's mind....decisions, decisions. I think the 1:18 offroader is the way to go if you really want to bash. Then again, I don't have one...but it makes sense to me. If you are looking to go in to 1:18 scale you may also want to consider the fact that Associated will be coming out with 1:18 Stadium truck like the mini-t, except it will be a bit more hopped up out of the box and will come with 4wd instead of 2wd like the mini-t. I know payaso has been drooling over it. Its the RC18T and you can see it here:

http://www.teamassociated.com/shusting/ ... kit18t.htm

I think the up-side to getting a mini-t is over some of the newer 1:18 scale ST's is that it has been around for a little while. As a result, there are already a shitload of hop up parts out there....just type in mini-t on ebay and you will see what I mean. There are also quite a few kick ass bodies that you can get for the mini-t. This also means that you can probably get a better deal on a used mini-t than the other trucks that are just starting to come out.

I'm sort-of in the market for a larger scale offroad rc myself. The mini-t is looking good. I'm still trying to decide if I want to go 1:18 or 1:10....bit that is a whole other thread...

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 10:52 am

gawd! lol
I can't make up my mind.
I'm pretty sure I don't want to hop up to 1:10.

thanks for all the info pimps, now of I got more thinking to do.

payaso · Post by **payaso** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 11:17 am

Here's my take on the whole dealy bob, and these are just my opinions.

I don't own a X-Mod so I can't comment on that.

My Mini Z Overland kicks ass, and the only thing done to it is the X speed motor. I've jumped it off curbs, and basically drive it on it's roof, and have yet to break anything except the side mirror.

Tough ass little truck, and the electronics are nice in it. 4 AAA in the car, and 8 AA in the TX. The TX batts last a friggin lifetime.

The Mini T by Losi is indeed a cool stadium truck, but it needs love right out of the box to be a competitor.

Whe I got the mini T they averaged around $150. That's bone stock. mine had a Trinity monster motor, and bearings all around, wich knocks the price up to around $190, and min overland would litetally dance circles around it.

I'm not saying I don't like it, or other 1/18 R/Cs, but just that it takes a pretty penny to really wake them up.

They are a bit wider, and longer than the Zs being 1/18 and all, and have a larger turning radius, so I got more use out of the OL being able to drive it in the apartment.

I think you get a great deal with chrome on his OL he has for sale in the Fo sale section.

I know CW, and he don't really like X Mods, and I know if he wanted to put the cash into the Losi Mini T, he's probably just revive his 1/10 scale vehicles.

I'd say if you want to stay small, and have kick ass car go with the Kyosho, or maybe even an Epoch.

Just get something for cripes sake.......lol

That there ain't just some sliced cabbage either. It's coles law

silla

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 11:20 am

payaso wrote:That there ain't just some sliced cabbage either. It's coles law

lmao, you're cooked.

well you know me better than most so I think you might have something there.
I'm gonna need a conference call.

SuperFly · Post by **SuperFly** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 2:43 pm

I have an xmod, an iWaver, a couple Mini-z MR01s and a couple MR02s. Out of those, if you want to bash, I'd probably go xmod. If you really want a high-performance racer for a reasonably decent racing surface, the MR02 is worth every penny. I won't be investing any more money in MR01 stuff.

Hue and I raced last night, and I had a brand-new (literally, took it out of the box after we set up the track) MR02. Usually we add a bunch of upgrades before ever driving the car, but this time we tried something different. We raced my completely stock (with the exception of some different tires in back), out of the box MR02 against one of hue's hopped-up MR01s. The MR02 more than held it's own, in fact, it may have been the better performer between the two.

But, the Racer series Mini-Zs (or the equivalent iWavers) aren't meant for jumping or off-roading. The xmods aren't either, but they're a little tougher. The thing is, though, that xmods are substantially heavier which amplifies impacts. Mini-Zs aren't built as tough, but because they are so much lighter they don't seem to break as often when you crash them.

From the description of what you want to do, it sounds like an Overland is the minimum you would need, and perhaps one of the trucks is a better plan.

Definitely invest in some Rayovac IC-3 batteries. That is still by far the best accessory/upgrade I've got. You can charge them faster than you can use them up, so if you get two sets you'll always have freshly charged batteries ready to go.

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 4:13 pm

excellent man - thanks.

I'm kind of leaning towards the mini-z overland.
it just seems to sit with me better.

all your guys' info is helping me tons - thanks guys!