So my boys (9 & 11) both asked for 'good' R/C cars for Christmas. In the past they have had the $30-50 ones that worked ok for awhile, but seemed to break too easy.
It seems there is only junk, or $400+ models
Any OG'ers know of something decent in the $100-200 range? They are not gonna be competing or spending days at a track. They will most likely be racing each other around the driveway and backyard. 
you can get a classic Tamiya Frog for about $150 I think. The Grasshopper is cheaper, but not as good. (You may need to buy the controller/battery separately)
I used to be into it when it was gas powered, I guess everyone is going electric these days.
Here is one for $189, Traxxis is a good brand that I remember.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/TRA370541T1?KPID=TRA370541T1&CAWELAID=320011980000222066&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=37462622311&CATCI=pla-262867455528&gclid=CMahle2WztACFZaEaQodg6kKfA
forrestfan - you can get a classic Tamiya Frog for about $150 I think. The Grasshopper is cheaper, but not as good. (You may need to buy the controller/battery separately)
I owned a frog when I was a kid. It was great, and he's right, it's better than the grasshopper. The slingshot was a very good 4wd car.
Do do they still make them?!?
Ask away OP, I'm huge into R/C cars
my recommendation would be to get them electric cars. Buy each kid 2 battery packs and buy one Traxxas EZ Peak dual charger. Both kids can drive at the same time and charge their packs while driving for almost nonstop action
R/C has expenses... the hobby models can go at a scale 500+ mph with wicked crashes and such (50+mph actual speed)
ask them what kind of vehicles they want; buggy, stadium truck, scale model truck, car, etc. report back with what they are after and I'll throw out some great recommendations in your price range
remember.... $250 now can save you hundreds later in broken A-arms, knuckles, hubs and such as the quality jumps fairly quickly from the $150 to $250 range.. the kids wanna have fun, not be broken down sitting on the curb watching their brother have all the fun
Later
Awesome!! Will find out and report back!! Thanks and VTFU!
I've played with RC cars/trucks off and on since the 80's, but really haven't done much for the last 8 years or so. When I looked recently, there have been some HUGE changes
I'd start off by checking local hobby stores and RC racetracks. At times you can find used set ups for REALLY cheap. If nothing else, you can see which cars the local shops support, so you'll have an idea of which models you can easily get parts for when stuff breaks (you WILL break stuff!).
Check eBay too. I bought a Losi XX dune buggy with carbon graphite and titanium upgrades, radio, charger, batteries,... the dude had several hundred dollars invested in the set, and I got it for about $100.
A GREAT father-sons activity is putting new bodies on these. There are all sorts of different bodies you can buy, and they all come clear. You paint them yourself, and you paint the inside instead of the outside - the clear body works like a super-thick clearcoat. Picking out the body, designing the paint job, actually doing the painting - great bonding time with the boys.
Start off with electric, and with stock-type motors. As driving skills improve, you can get better/faster motors.
Traxxis Rustler is what I got my son last Christmas Great car! This Christmas he wants new tires, a roll bar, motor, and tool kit for it. Quality fun!
As far as a driveway/backyard basher go I would recommend a Traxxas Stampede. $200 ready-to-run, its a 2wd monster truck (sort of) that has great clearance, great speed, is very durable and replacement parts and upgrades are readily available everywhere. It comes with a decent radio, great electronics and it's a very popular truck. I own one and while not my cup of tea the thing is durable and fun, it would be great for any kid that's around 10 years old
Bluegrass -Traxxis Rustler is what I got my son last Christmas Great car! This Christmas he wants new tires, a roll bar, motor, and tool kit for it. Quality fun!
The Rustler is the same truck as the Stampede with a couple small differences. Utilizes lower profile shock towers to drop the stance and it's equipped with different A-arms and tires to fit into the "stadium truck" category instead of "monster truck"
i would recommend the Stampede for younger boys. A bit more clearance and more backyard friendly as far as derbying over grass and gravel and through mud and shit
Get a maisto for $30... works fine
Pig Bun - I've played with RC cars/trucks off and on since the 80's, but really haven't done much for the last 8 years or so. When I looked recently, there have been some HUGE changes
I'd start off by checking local hobby stores and RC racetracks. At times you can find used set ups for REALLY cheap. If nothing else, you can see which cars the local shops support, so you'll have an idea of which models you can easily get parts for when stuff breaks (you WILL break stuff!).
Check eBay too. I bought a Losi XX dune buggy with carbon graphite and titanium upgrades, radio, charger, batteries,... the dude had several hundred dollars invested in the set, and I got it for about $100.
A GREAT father-sons activity is putting new bodies on these. There are all sorts of different bodies you can buy, and they all come clear. You paint them yourself, and you paint the inside instead of the outside - the clear body works like a super-thick clearcoat. Picking out the body, designing the paint job, actually doing the painting - great bonding time with the boys.
Start off with electric, and with stock-type motors. As driving skills improve, you can get better/faster motors.
Yup a lot of this.. I'd be hard off recommending a used truck to anyone not already into the hobby though. I've owned over 30 vehicles, used, new, kits and trades and a lot of the used ones had small issues I wouldn't want to deal with as a beginner/fun kid just wanting a "good" but easy to maintain hobby grade R/C car
jacktripper -Get a maisto for $30... works fine
Yeah, don't do this
make your kids happy, not pissed off
Re: used kits. I would not buy just any kit used. But ones like old aluminum tub RC10's are nearly bullet proof, and I would think a great starter car (even used).
My FIRST was a Tamiya Falcon. It was good, but no where near as sturdy as an RC10.
I had a Tamiya Blackfoot for years, and had it set up for the beach (paddle tires, a "filter" to keep sand out of the motor, etc.) I later sold it to a coworker, to give to his son for Christmas. But I went through it, replaced parts, fresh paint job, etc.
Start simple, though. I bought one of the first T-Maxx trucks, about 15 years ago. BAD ASS truck, big, fast, loud, SUPER cool & fun. But if I had not had prior RC experience AND gearhead knowledge on tuning carburetors, that truck would have been a nightmare.
You can get a Traxxas slash, rustler or stampede. All around the 189-230$ range. Tons of parts and hop ups. They aren't going to Win any championships but kids love them. King of the bashers.
RabidCracker - You can get a Traxxas slash, rustler or stampede. All around the 189-230$ range. Tons of parts and hop ups. They aren't going to Win any championships but kids love them. King of the bashers.Finding parts locally is a big deal. Mother of not all shops have Traxxas parts. My money would go to the slash. The wheels are in line with the body and the bumpers are big as shit. Of you've got two the wheels won't hang up on one another. Same Cars mean you share parts. So any spares will be compatible. Many different body choices.
RabidCracker -Most if not all* sorry I'm full of caffeineRabidCracker - You can get a Traxxas slash, rustler or stampede. All around the 189-230$ range. Tons of parts and hop ups. They aren't going to Win any championships but kids love them. King of the bashers.Finding parts locally is a big deal. Mother of not all shops have Traxxas parts. My money would go to the slash. The wheels are in line with the body and the bumpers are big as shit. Of you've got two the wheels won't hang up on one another. Same Cars mean you share parts. So any spares will be compatible. Many different body choices.
RabidCracker - You can get a Traxxas slash, rustler or stampede. All around the 189-230$ range. Tons of parts and hop ups. They aren't going to Win any championships but kids love them. King of the bashers.
Yea Traxxas has the market cornered as far as "ease of play" goes. They are ready to run, mostly waterproof and very durable. Parts are readily available at a majority of hobby shops and the trucks take a beating
for 10 year olds I would go with a Stampede. Over 4" of clearance, just about as fast as the Rustler, handle rough terrain and grass etc much better and just a great basher truck. The Slash and Rustler are course trucks with lower suspension, the slash being a short course truck. Both can get bogged down running through grass of any depth and neither will go over rocks or logs very well (then again any independent suspension 2wd truck will have trouble there)
Another vote for Traxxas. If it becomes to slow to them get a new motor and speed control.