Best price: Surf-n-shop pay attention to shipping.
What to get all depends on you.
Kyosho Mini-Z
F1- Current status queen but unavailable, Kyosho actually ran out so until the new ones are released they are rare, once the new ones are out in a couple of weeks the old will be obsolete (just how the world works), Apex USA will be taking pre-orders next week with estimated shipping on 25 July 06. Funny but Apex is a surprisingly good US source for any Kyosho product but you can’t order on-line, only via email (
sales@apexrc-racing.com), phone (805) 922-088, or in person.
Racer (MR-015, or MR-02) –If you have access to a track and plan on racing MM MR-02 is the only way to go for a first Mini-Z, if not then what ever body floats your boat
. Large smooth driving surface required at a minimum, definitely not meant for the street.
AWD (MA-010) – Hmm how to explain; it will handle better on the kitchen and garage floor but if you randomly try to hop one of these up you will end up with an expensive broken pile of junk even with all Kyosho parts. Reality check if you don’t have deep pockets leave it stock except for wheels, tires and such, or leave it alone, oh yea and a Mini-Z is a race car not a tank so when you slam into a chair leg it will break.
Overland – No track? This would be my choice cheapest entry level Mini-Z with most driving options.
Monster – Small 2WD truck, can be fun but...
Iwaver
New IW-02M not out yet, supposedly soon but they haven’t made a scheduled release yet, anyone who wants can try holding their breath if so please take photo’s for the rest of us to watch. Could be a fun car to mod since it supposedly uses a standard three wire steering servo, I say supposedly because even though I’ve seen a driven a demo, until the actual retail model is released you never really know what you're going to get. Might work might not.
As for the rest of the Iwavers/Firlaps they’re fun to tear apart cut-up and modify on a budget, much cheaper than trashing a Kyosho, but I wouldn’t suggest one for racing. The steering is weak and the quality control falls into the pot-luck category.
Hop-up prices, and availability
Hey you get what you pay for but then sometimes you don't. Many are interchangeable all depends on what you want? For example motors are interchangeable and common, tires are to more or lees depending on wheel size, but wheels are specific to body style because of offset. Surf-n-shop, all you have to do a little research, if you have a specific question don’t be afraid to ask.
BTW that bit about there never being a stupid question is a lie, the truth is there are lots of stupid dumb ass questions. Problem is that when you find something you want to buy but have a question abut quality or compatibility you might as well ask anyway because not asking before buying a piece of trash or something that doesn’t fit would likely be even dumber, and dumber still would be believing everything you read, hear, or see so all answers are suspect
Suggestion on what to buy?
Easy; You should buy me one each of the new F1’s, and if you also buy me a video camera and editing program I might even make and post a video of me having fun driving them on my track. Speaking of the track, while you’re at it my current 2 wide-L RCP setup is nice but if you throw in an extra grand for a new larger tent and platform you could have even more fun watching a video of me driving them on a much larger track.
post to post salesman.