I have a budget of around  28,000/-   

I want only a monster truck  . I shortlisted TT MTA4 S28 and Traxxas T-maxx 3.3

I had a tmax 2.5 before, but dont know about the new model.

I need a durable, easy to maintan, fast, Big and durable engine truck.
I dont mind a pull start, and i am good at tuning too  .

Only trouble is engine life, and durability factor.
I have future plans to modd the truck with intey and RPM but for now i would run it stock so need a durable truck .

Savage is outof budget and i dont like revo.

I intend to do both bash and race, but nothing much serious.
Please suggest me the better choice and the possible issues that i might face  ...

Any suggestion/reply is whole heartedly welcome... 

Whats that for?? I know what i am talking about....I have checked these links a thousand times before

Since you are considering a t-maxx which has the same engine as my Revo like to share my experience. I haven't experienced any problems in tuning it, but i've had the truck for only about 2 months. The idle is good and so is the performance. Will post a video soon so that you can take a look. Hope it helps

BTW thanks for ur consideration, i want no ELECTRICS!!!

But 3.3 is a small engine, so obviously it wont last long compared to a 4.6 engien.
Although it will rev more and will be faster but will wear out early if i am right.
I think the prob wont start before 2 gallons...

Both Revo and Savage are out of your budget. Need not waste your time choosing between the Tmaxx and S28. Just buy the Tmaxx. Its the best value you can get in that price band.

Actually no need for this thread. The choice is just too simple.

Both trucks are not extremely reliable like the Savage. They have their share of issues. Replace plastic parts on the Tmaxx if you are looking at extreme bashing. S28 is a gas guzzler. Heavy weight, but reasonably tough.

Tmaxx wins as per me, since its comes as a better package. But look out of a new engine after some time. It acts cranky after a while.

So in short which is more durable..?

I thought TT was less tough than trx

What durability are you referring to? Plastics, engine, gears?

There is nothing like TT less durable than TRX. I have owned both and both held well. But small issues occur. Forgot about all small issues. You buy a 20L car and you will have issues.

Durability lke parts breaking on jumps, gears, and engine life.

From whatever i've read on other forums, though people have had small niggles no one has complained about the durability of the engine or it dying after a few gallons. Like ajo said the choice is straightforward. T-maxx makes the most sensible choice. All the best with your decision !

Thanks but its physics, smaller engine revs more, wears out early

I've never heard of a 3.3 wearing out faster than a 4.6 or 5.9. There are 2.5cc engines that still run fine. Check the international forums for a clearer picture. It all depends on how you Run in, Run it, and After-Run it. Take good care of the engine and it will last you several gallons.

As far as the budget is concerned if I were you I'd get the best car I can for the money. Just the car. Perhaps over a couple of months I can get the rest of the stuff to make it RTR. Imagine its a kit and will take you time to build.

Or, you could save up for a li'l longer and get the car you really want. Not the one you can only afford. Its more satisfying that way.

But still everyone knows Ttr 4.6 is far more durable than trx 3.3

Well its a call you've got to take. If you have apprehensions about the trx3.3, wait for a bit and get something you're comfortable with.

ALL Nitro engines will eventually need an overhaul. They require routine maintenance. And whichever engine you get, it'll still last you several gallons before you need a proper overhaul. I'm sure your 2.5 still chugs along fine. So that should be enough testament to the 3.3's quality

But a bigger engine is more fun

i have been in touch with a LHS who had a revo 3.3 for  himself. He later started selling TTr, and he told me that 3.3 is a lot more faster but wont be able to life more than 8-10L since its very small and car is big.
I have seen 4.6cc engines doing over 20L.

I dont know who builds stories like this. This is purely nonsense.... Even a crap chinese engine will live longer.
I personally drove my Revo for more than 15L before I sold it. It still had great punch when I sold and it is running normally with the new owner.

It all depends on how you break in the engine and maintain it. I didnt cut any corners with break-in. Yes, it became a little messy to tune after some time, but no issues if you know what you are doing. Even the TT engine wears. I retired the same engine which came on my RC8 after a year of operation.

Hmmm.. You mean ten litres? or ten gallons? I don't think the TRX 3.3 will need an overhaul every 2.5 gallons man. Maybe that guy messed up his tune or something. If its ten gallons then I don't think you should worry cause that would mean a year or more of use assuming you run it every weekend. A full service and overhaul every year or so is not too much IMHO.

A gallon lasts me two months easily. But I don't run it every weekend.

Catch up with the ton of members on here with Revos and T-Maxxes. They love the 3.3!

Those are the magic words!

It finally depends on how you maintain it. A guy may have used it for 20L but if you dont maintain the engine it will die soon.

So thing about it and get what you really want and not what others want you to have

After what this guy said i did a full research on the Trx 3.3. Seriously haven't come across any thread in the first page of google search results where users had to dump their engines after a few gallons/litres because of the engine being faulty. It was ALWAYS the users at fault. Not properly tuned truck, lack of maintenance and also wrong fuels costed them their replacements. Do not go by hearsay, get in touch with some real owners who know how to maintain nitro engines and get their opinion on it. Anyway whichever truck you get, i'm sure it'll serve you well if you don't abuse the engine

and as far as part breakages go - everything breaks. just depends on how you use it.

for example:-

i have a couple friends here who recently got RC's and we all bash together.

My E-Maxx BL
A Revo BL
A Exceed Mad beast
A savage flux.

Now till now the only parts that have been damaged on my emaxx is the front skid. landed straight on a protruding rock.

as for the savage and the mad beast both of them broke on the same jump. landed on the rear end from a height of approx 15 feet. both broke their rear shock towers. and the savage bent a shock shaft, broke an arm and ripped out one of the battery boxes..

the revo on the other hand is handled extremely rough. the guy pretty much does not care. and till date has never broken a part.

does not mean the savage is any less than the revo or the mad beast. just depends on how u can handle ur RC.

I have done 4 gallons ( 16 litres ) of fuel on my revo 3.3. It still runs fine...
I'm sure traxxas doesn't make engines which will last for 8-10L.
If so they would have been out of business by now!! Lol

It is just a highly biased opinion of folks who don't like Traxxas.

This only misguides a beginner, with such blind and biased statements!

Its just your perception,
I love traxxas, but got confused due to the LHS guy....that dosent mean you should tell that i am misguiding and fooling beginers.Kindly refrain from making such personal remarks.

I have always said that i have heard of the trx 3.3 being les durable, i never said it is less durable...

Ok, lets chuck it,

Coming back to topic again,

Build quality of which truck is better.

@himak: The post was not meant for you alone!
             It also goes out to people who have told you such stories.
             You being a fellow RC folk, you should refrain from publishing everything you hear

            Post anything out of your own experience.
            Also, please note i have not made any personal remarks. Its a general comment.

Coming to build quality, I have used Traxxas cars and have given it maximum possible beating. Haven't broken any parts other than exhaust coupler. They can take a lot of abuse.

Regarding TT, i have no personal experience.

Cheers

Ok, i have seeen some revo's and erevo's , they are pretty tough, slash is extremely tough, but i have heard mixed comments from tmaxx owners (i talked with 4-5 owners).
Everyone said, after rpm upgrades its ok, otherwise it will break a lot.

You said you've owned a T-Maxx 2.5. Why do you need others to tell you about durability. You know it yourself! The 3.3 is not that much different from the 2.5. The main differences are a new slipper clutch (revo) , redesigned transmission/stronger gears, larger bearings (revo) upgraded brakes and drive axles (revo), and of course the bigger engine. The chassis is stronger/rigid at 4mm. It also has optidrive. I'm sure there are other changes but these are the major upgrades.

And I've never heard of TMaxx guys breaking stuff a lot because they didn't upgrade to RPM. That's hogwash.

I guess you need to get back to doing more research and reach a decision yourself. People can only tell you what they feel about a particular car, not how you will feel about it!

I have T-maxx 3.3  4908. I have spent more than the truck costed me itself. But i still love it.

You just need to spend money on metal :-

Bulkheads

Center cvd ( Traxxas dont make cvd for 4907,4908 model. Look for MIP 9138)
http://miponline.com/store/mip09138.html

Bigbore Shocks (If you Are into heavy Bashing)

   Should get you through preety much fine.
 

You can only break stuff by crashing it, So it'll be your fault not the cars. so upgrade your car as you break it.

I personally have

Cvd drive shaft, Rpm True-track A-Arm conversion, Integy 7075 Universal shock Tower Fr/RR, Rpm 3 Pcs skidplate, Rpm Bulkhead Brace, traxxas metal Bulkhead,
Mip C-Cvd, Traxxas Diff-lock Fr/RR, Traxxas Metal Bumper and more stuff.. 

Any engine will perform only as well as the Tuner. If the person knows what he is doing its abreeze to break in and tune any engine whether it is chinese or italian. That being said there are engines which are of inferior quality that will need a rebuild sooner than others or do have higher displacement and less power.

My Experience: Since we have broken in and tuned countless engines of all sizes, brands I can tell you that the F4.6 engine from HPI is the easiest to tune and will last the longest if taken care of properly. Some engines have run over 8 gallons and have shown no signs of compression loss. Also the TRX 3.3 (you need to know how to tune it) can outperform most of the bigger engines (when used on the revo chassis), it runs 60 minute hardcore races and doesnt cross 220F at any given point in time. I have close to 4 gallons on my personal TRX 3.3. So if anyone tells you otherwise, i can tell you that they have no experience with engines.

Get the monster truck that appeals to you most.

Nice suggestion Sid, My bro loves you now..

Thanks for reminding what i have and what i dont.

And please dont force me to learn that my perception about tmaxx is wrong/right.
I had the 2.5 for some months, then sold it fue to lack of time. Now i wanna get back in this hobby again.

And FYI Tmaxx has no optidrive and reverse like revo so pls do your research.

wHY DONT U TRY THE LOSI LST2

Its old model sir, plus u cant get it in india..HK cant ship it..and new LST XXL is $$$$$$$$

Let xxl is much more of racer than a basher. Heard kapil jolly is losi dealer in india. 9897088877

Sorry, but XXL is a do everything car.
And definitely those XXXL size shocks are for bash

But again it all comes to $$$$. I can afford only upto 30 k max now. Any new advices?

arent u interested in jato 3.3
it is a pretty awesome offroader

Jato is more of a softroader. I have seen the Jato more at home on tarmac. A friend has one in Chennai and wasnt running that great offroad.

I need only monsters pls

Why not a electric truck like the MT4-G3 it will be faster,handles pretty good since it has a center diff.
It has bigger tires then a savage.Its built like a tank. Its even basher approved http://www.bigsquidrc.com/thunder-tiger-mt4-g3-18-electric-monster-truck-review/
I was a nitro fan but with nitro you can't run your car in the neighborhood,since they will complain about the noise.
In play ground or the street it attracts unwanted attention.Only place you can enjoy it is in a track.

If u really want monster truck it is best that u go to the higher end version . Or else its just better to buy the best of some other category

MT4 G3 is a ST-1 with Monster wheels. I have the ST-1 in electric and is very tough car, the best from TT. This with truggy wheels can be raced too. Nice option, but not nitro so doesnt make sense here.

Thaks ajo, you replied what i was about to reply.

Only nitro MT is my option.
M more inclined towards MTA4 S28 now.
I hope it will be a good buy

Chk out the Hpi Racing Bullet MT and Bullet ST 3.0cc. They also will be in your Budget.

Regards.
Rahul

They are good cars for what they offer, but no where near the cars being discussed. They are basically archived HotBodies models.

What is the scale of these cars...?

The Hpi Bullet MT and ST are 1/10 Scale.

http://www.hpieurope.com/kit-info.php?partNo=101401&lang=en

http://www.hpieurope.com/kit-info.php?partNo=101400&lang=en

Regards
Rahul

Sorry,
i need- 8th scale, nitro, and monster truck. No deviation possible.
And i cant a 1/10th vehicle for 25-30k !!!!

So the TMaxx is a 1/8 scale? Its technically a 1/10. Dont worry much about the difference between 1/10 - 1/8. Get the one that works well for you. I suggest you drive both and decide.

Its called 1/10th but actually its 1/8th in size so thats why i included it in my list.
I took it out for spin, it handled like a small 1/10th. Not much difference from a 1/10th in size.
So i am more keen for MTA4

Guess what!!The LST XXL is coming to India.

oh..but its too expensive for a 4.6cc car. Atleast expensive for me

Oh,didn't see the cost