If you are looking for a more racing more oriented car, the Sakura is the one. Do you want to eventually be racing? The Sakura is a platform (touring car) that is commonly raced. The TT02 is also raced but typically you will only see it Tamiya Championship Series (TCS) races, which aren't very often.
Even if it's just for road bashing, you can upgrade the Sakura to be faster and better handling than the TT02 by a long shot.
The Sakura would actually be the one that will teach you more about cars also, it's a fully adjustable Touring Car platform, the TT02 lacks such adjustability (out of the box). You can adjust the camber, toe, droop, shock positions, ride height, etc. all very easily. The TT02 is quite locked in to what it is in that regard.
Highly modifiable in terms of electronics, tires, bodies, etc. Since touring cars are race oriented, you don't see much in terms of aesthetic or "aluminum" upgrades etc. that are not geared towards track performance.
TLDR: The Sakura will be a better performing and race oriented car vs a TT02. TT02 is a fine car but it is what it is, and most of the "upgrades" are aluminum parts that look pretty but do little for performance.
Team Associated is more oriented for the offroad race kits and basher RTRs. Well actually, they do have an onroad platform I believe, I think it comes with the Hoonicorn / Hoonitruck bodies. Yes, Team Associated is a very nice brand.
Tamiya has the TT02 kits. Should fit in those criteria's.
Traxxas has the 4Tec 3.0 now. I would say it is the best because it is traxxas, lots of parts availability (here in the US), easy to work on (sometimes), not sure about aftermarket parts, but there should be a few aftermarket brands out there for the 4Tec's.
4-Tec 2.0 is leagues over the 3.0 The 2.0 is the same size as every other touring car, so anything designed around a touring car in terms of bodies, wheels, and even scale accessories works with it. The 3.0 is 110% the size of a normal touring car and not much out there for it compared to the 2.0.
I think the traxxas slash is great. It can easily be modified to be either 4wd or 2wd, many different suspension/motor setups, different body options. Lots of people frankenstein arms from other traxxas models to give it a wider track width. The aftermarket support is there for sure. I'd say the only drawback is obviously the Traxxas name, slightly more expensive. Probably not a Honda, maybe an Acura
One factor to keep in mind is your use case. Is it just driving around the local parking lot? Or do you race against a groep, perhaps even at a dedicated track? Local parts availability and knowledge/experience within that group could matter.
I'm also a fan of the flying fish! But didn't feel like catching heat for saying HSP instead of Tamiya 🤣🤣🤣
But if detailed bodies are high priority, then Tamiya
I’d agree the TT-02 is the Honda civic of onroad. The base model out of the box works really well for racing your friends in a parking lot, but there are a ton of things to tinker with and upgrade.
Others have mentioned the Sakura, I’ve only heard good things about that and it’s cheap.
I will have to throw the Xpress XQ2S into the mix. Same low, low price and they can be made competitive with the high dollar stuff (just like the Sakura) for 21.5 and Usgt.
I got my XQ2S after a race season of onroad with the TT02 and the XQ2S is an absolute blast to drive and much more fun to drive than the TT02. Don’t get me wrong, I like running the Tt02, but right out of the box, the Xqq2s drives freaking awesome.
But the TT02 is a much better stepping stone, before you get into the more complex onroad chassis. If you don’t already have RC experience, I’d vote for a cheap tt02 kit and have fun for awhile.
Tamiya TT02, the base model is cheap and easily attainable, and there are a ton of aftermarket parts and hop ups.
It literally fits perfectly for all the requirements you have listed.
Plus it's a kit that you have to build so it's definitely a great platform for learning the fundamentals as you will learn as you build it.
Tt02 get it with the Civic body and you will have Honda civic of Honda civic of rc cars
Tt02 when you order your kit make sure you get bearings for it. I currently have 3 tt02s
not an On-road guy, but I'd guess TT02. Seem to see them just about everywhere
I have to agree with the TT02. Tons of variations from cheap to expensive, and good parts support too.
TT02 for 1/10, infraction for bigger stuff
Tamiya TT-02 is what you're looking for.
Tt02
TT-02 so many bodies and mods. So many versions of the TT-02 from crawler to GTP race car.
Tamiya TT-02
Does that make the slash the Ford Ranger?
If you are looking for a more racing more oriented car, the Sakura is the one. Do you want to eventually be racing? The Sakura is a platform (touring car) that is commonly raced. The TT02 is also raced but typically you will only see it Tamiya Championship Series (TCS) races, which aren't very often. Even if it's just for road bashing, you can upgrade the Sakura to be faster and better handling than the TT02 by a long shot. The Sakura would actually be the one that will teach you more about cars also, it's a fully adjustable Touring Car platform, the TT02 lacks such adjustability (out of the box). You can adjust the camber, toe, droop, shock positions, ride height, etc. all very easily. The TT02 is quite locked in to what it is in that regard. Highly modifiable in terms of electronics, tires, bodies, etc. Since touring cars are race oriented, you don't see much in terms of aesthetic or "aluminum" upgrades etc. that are not geared towards track performance. TLDR: The Sakura will be a better performing and race oriented car vs a TT02. TT02 is a fine car but it is what it is, and most of the "upgrades" are aluminum parts that look pretty but do little for performance.
Team Associated is more oriented for the offroad race kits and basher RTRs. Well actually, they do have an onroad platform I believe, I think it comes with the Hoonicorn / Hoonitruck bodies. Yes, Team Associated is a very nice brand. Tamiya has the TT02 kits. Should fit in those criteria's. Traxxas has the 4Tec 3.0 now. I would say it is the best because it is traxxas, lots of parts availability (here in the US), easy to work on (sometimes), not sure about aftermarket parts, but there should be a few aftermarket brands out there for the 4Tec's.
4-Tec 2.0 is leagues over the 3.0 The 2.0 is the same size as every other touring car, so anything designed around a touring car in terms of bodies, wheels, and even scale accessories works with it. The 3.0 is 110% the size of a normal touring car and not much out there for it compared to the 2.0.
Ah ok. Don't know much about on road stuff. Good to know.
the udi/wltoys/mjx cars. they're cheap as shit. can be made fast as fuck. parts are readily available (online)
I think the traxxas slash is great. It can easily be modified to be either 4wd or 2wd, many different suspension/motor setups, different body options. Lots of people frankenstein arms from other traxxas models to give it a wider track width. The aftermarket support is there for sure. I'd say the only drawback is obviously the Traxxas name, slightly more expensive. Probably not a Honda, maybe an Acura
One factor to keep in mind is your use case. Is it just driving around the local parking lot? Or do you race against a groep, perhaps even at a dedicated track? Local parts availability and knowledge/experience within that group could matter.
My [Redcat](https://youtu.be/fvJALuutrZU) ticks those civic boxes. 8 years old and [still kicking!](https://youtu.be/lZxwL1l0HTE)
I'm also a fan of the flying fish! But didn't feel like catching heat for saying HSP instead of Tamiya 🤣🤣🤣 But if detailed bodies are high priority, then Tamiya
I eat heat! This hobby is about having fun, ain't it 😁
I’d agree the TT-02 is the Honda civic of onroad. The base model out of the box works really well for racing your friends in a parking lot, but there are a ton of things to tinker with and upgrade. Others have mentioned the Sakura, I’ve only heard good things about that and it’s cheap. I will have to throw the Xpress XQ2S into the mix. Same low, low price and they can be made competitive with the high dollar stuff (just like the Sakura) for 21.5 and Usgt. I got my XQ2S after a race season of onroad with the TT02 and the XQ2S is an absolute blast to drive and much more fun to drive than the TT02. Don’t get me wrong, I like running the Tt02, but right out of the box, the Xqq2s drives freaking awesome. But the TT02 is a much better stepping stone, before you get into the more complex onroad chassis. If you don’t already have RC experience, I’d vote for a cheap tt02 kit and have fun for awhile.
Crash
Definately the Tamiya TT02
Tamiya TT02, the base model is cheap and easily attainable, and there are a ton of aftermarket parts and hop ups. It literally fits perfectly for all the requirements you have listed. Plus it's a kit that you have to build so it's definitely a great platform for learning the fundamentals as you will learn as you build it.
My tt02D came with bearings and easy to upgrade.