Ripmax Dingo RTR 1/18 Electric 4WD Truggy 2.4GHz C-RMX0030

This little RC truggy goes like a rocket, and handles really well for such a relatively small model. It goes great on both rough grass and tarmac, holds the road well and doesn't flip, and takes knocks and bumps in it's stride. It's the first RC we've had so I can't compare it to others but I'm more than satisfied and highly likely to buy another now so that we can race them against each other. The only disappointment (too strong a word really) is that you dont really have throttle control, it's either full on or off, but this doesn't affect play very much as no-one wants to do anything but go flat out anyway. Battery life is so-so - maybe 10 - 15 minutes on a full charge, apparently this is par for the course though.

I have quite a lot of experience with radio control cars and even worked in a radio control model shop when I was younger. That said, I am very impressed with this car. I bought it for my 7 year old son and he regularly takes it to the skateboard park and leaps it 7 feet into the air off the ramp down onto solid concrete again and again. Despite this, it continues to work perfectly and the only damage it has suffered in the past year was a bent 'pin' holding the wheel arm and a snapped body mount. The pin straightened with pliers and re-used and a twin pack of body mounts bought for less than £2.Considering that this model car is the same price as a good 'toy' car (for which you can't purchase spares) and far superior in speed, durability and sheer fun, I think that it is a bargain for around £60. We do also own a different brand 1/18th car and though this is also very durable and good, the Ripmax has a slight edge over it in cost and durability.Spares and upgrades are easy to get online and cheap with items such as drive shafts, suspension towers, spare motors and the like costing between £1.50 to £3.50ish. That said, with normal use ( ie. non-skate board ramp, 7 foot concrete drops) I doubt you will need to buy spares.Note that Ripmax also do the Jackal and Husky which is pretty much the same car with different bodyshells and also the Coyote which is based on the same parts but a more detailed body and working lights.Get one, you won't be disappointed.