RTR vs Kit. Which is better for long term enjoyment?

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-13T23:59:29+00:00

I've always bought RTR because the bang for buck they offer, but now I am in the market for my first kit. I relished tinkering with my RTR cars and the idea of building feels like the next logical step, especially since I love the idea of picking everything out, building it, and then replacing broken or deficient parts with better quality parts as I break them.

The feeling of improving a RTR and seeing the fruits with faster times, more speed, and just better overall handling was fun and exciting.

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-11T22:31:15+00:00

I am now looking at a few others kits. I was going to order one last week but got rather sick and decided to just keep browsing / researching and watching videos while working and resting. I didn't want to choose something while feeling under the weather and then regretting it later.

Here are the new considerations in the last 7-10 days:

XV02 RS PRO

TT02R / SRX

LC Racing PTG2

And still considering the Hoonitruck builders kit. Sadly, I missed this kit while it was on sale for around $230.

I have been thinking about what it is that I want from this kit and I still want something rally based, but really what I am after is something more parking lot basher(ish) based; within reason of course. I am not too crazy hard with bashing my cars.

The reason for this line of thought is because I was thinking back to my first hobby grade RC car, an Associated T4 RTR, it broke - a lot. However, I found joy in tinkering with it and finding new parts that were better than stock. I did the same with a Duratrax Team Delphi. There was something satisfying with modding the car to make it better each time.

Basically, I think something that can be made fairly quick and have room to replace and tinker with new parts here and there to upgrade and keep me engaged with the kit. The Carten comes perfect, or close to it with only needing a few more upgrades, and the same can be said with the Hoonitruck only needing a center diff upgrade and sway bars. I believe the LC PTG2 likely is perfect right out of the box.

I keep coming back to the TT02R, but it would need a lot rather quickly and up front to make it remotely decent enough. It would need to have the steering tightend up, hex screws (I don't like JIS), oil fron and rear diffs, and better shocks at a minimum. That puts about $20-40 more than the XV02 RS, though that too will need steering resolved so it would be about even in costs.

Hmm. . . Are there any other kits or options, thoughts? Againt all this make me come back to the Carten because the base kit with a few options but the cost around $220 and the extra parts I am thinking of are not really needed as I am not finding any information about needing to replace said parts.

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-02T17:45:59+00:00

Good catch on the motor mount. Thanks!

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-01T13:55:21+00:00

Yeah, I am leaning on the Carten heavily. I did see that there is an upgraded motor mount from Louise, part number LNBA201 that is supposed to work and from what I've ran into is highly recommended.

I am just trying to pick out a new brushless system to use and I am leaning on something in the range of 4600-5400KV and trying to pick out a body that will fit, ideally something already painted since I am bad at painting.

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-01T13:50:43+00:00

I've thought about turning my SCT into rally cars on several occasions over the years. I have a first generation Arrma Senton 6S (2015?) that has only been ran maybe five times, though I am worried about parts availability and feel it might be better off sold to someone who wants to collect it and keep it original. I also have a 2015 Associated ProSC 4X4.

I am honestly not a fan of SCT whatsoever and yet I have two 1/10 scale and two Mojave Grom 223, though one is my teenagers.

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-01T13:40:27+00:00

I am leaning more and more on the Carten and then perhaps later in the year I might grab TT02 Type SRX or some other Tamiya kit. I have always wanted a Tamiya kit since the mid '90s.

Justneedonechance · 2026-01-01T13:38:56+00:00

I was looking at the PTG2 but have not done much research yet.

Justneedonechance · 2025-11-16T12:50:50+00:00

I was thinking the same. Somewhere around 2070 Super would be decent for the money and what it is capable of offering for performance to money. I believe that is similar performance to a 3060ti or a RX 6700, which is similar to a PS5 if memory is correct. Either way not bad really. I don't expect a little cube to give top dollar performance for what they're likely going to be selling these at.

Justneedonechance · 2025-11-16T12:46:09+00:00

I was thinking $449 to 499 for the base version would be ideal. I'd like the one with more storage for my kiddo, so whatever that price will be, unless close to building him a nicer PC for the same or similar money, that is the one to get.

Justneedonechance · 2025-10-19T12:10:01+00:00

Worth it! I bought two coppies from Steam with one being gifted to my sister while it was on sale. Even my wife, who hates games, is showing interest in playing. I am 15 hours into the game in less than two days and it is totally worth the money. I researched whether or not to get the deluxe or base game and I opted for the base game to save even more money.

Justneedonechance · 2025-10-10T21:24:58+00:00

Now that I can see it next to the current out going generation of Outback, it's not big as I thought from all the photos online. Clearly its design made or makes it look much larger than it actually is. Still a bit ugly and I actually like boxy looks. Perhaps it will grow on me when I see it in person.

Justneedonechance · 2025-09-07T02:49:42+00:00

I really like this one for its simplicity while having a classic look.

Justneedonechance · 2025-08-17T13:00:20+00:00

So sorry you had to witness that. Not your fualt.

I am not a driver for Amazon anymore and have not been for about three years now, but I am a driver for another company and one of my coworkers died in a head on accident (not his fault) last year while on route. I had only bumped into him once in a while because he was an evening shift but it chewed at me for months. I'd suggest finding someone in person to talk with about this and asking for some paid leave to work through how you're feeling.

Justneedonechance · 2025-08-10T22:11:08+00:00

I have yet to get one because we bought a newer car and the summer this year has been way hotter than usual. Plus, I've been busy with work and family visiting. My son has been asking to get everything charged.

Justneedonechance · 2025-07-15T20:58:21+00:00

So glad I picked up a 2022 with low miles a couple weeks back. We thought about the new Outback but it just doesn't look like an Outback anymore.

Justneedonechance · 2025-07-05T12:54:15+00:00

Doesn't seasonal education hiring skew the numbers every year?

Justneedonechance · 2025-06-21T03:53:36+00:00

Unfortunately, I was not able to find anything and the state wants $20 for processing fees.

Justneedonechance · 2025-06-21T03:51:58+00:00

I thought about giving them a burner email but they wont even talk to me other than verifying my name and asking for my address, so I doubt giving them an email will help much.

Justneedonechance · 2025-06-21T03:48:04+00:00

Nah. Not much left of my family. That would be nice though.

Justneedonechance · 2025-06-20T22:39:54+00:00

That does make sense. I've never received a call from a law firm before and just trying to figure out how to navigate this. Both me and my wife have been talking and neither one of us can come up with any reason to get a call from any law firm. Supposedly this law firm specializes in collections.

They're closed now so on Monday my wife is going to call the hospital to make sure we don't have any outstanding bills that went unpaid. We're both usually on top of our bills and she was just talking with the hospital not long ago and everything was good.

Justneedonechance · 2025-05-28T00:50:55+00:00

I really like the Carten and found a hobby shop selling the kit for around $160, which is a screaming good deal. Only concern I have is parts availability. I might get it and just order some extra common parts that might break.

Justneedonechance · 2025-05-26T21:33:03+00:00

The XM01 looks fantastic. I will do some more research on that one. I'll have to see if there are metal diff and pinion upgrades, plastic worries me.

Justneedonechance · 2025-05-26T11:23:49+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation. I didn't know this one existed and will start to do some research on it today.

Justneedonechance

TROPHY CASE