Desert Gator - any thoughts good or bad?

[bertberr]

Hi, I'm looking at getting back into R/C cars having had various tamiya models in the 80/90's, and think the Desert Gator looks like a fairly good bet, based on spec for the price.

Anybody on here got one / had one? Good points / bad points please, need help to make a decision...

[jon kedge]

Welcome back to racing,don't bother with tamiya, if you are looking for a good cheap car i would go for the ansmann madrat 2wd as it's race ready and only£50 new,it is more race ready than tamiya and all it needs is ballracing,also available as ready to run,several people race these with great results.Seen alot on e-bay and model shops.:thumbsup:

[DCM]

Hi, I'm looking at getting back into R/C cars having had various tamiya models in the 80/90's, and think the Desert Gator looks like a fairly good bet, based on spec for the price.

Anybody on here got one / had one? Good points / bad points please, need help to make a decision...

what do you want to do with it, race or bash?

[bertberr]

Good point, does have some bearing on suitability...

Initially, just bashing around the park / garden / road etc, would like my young son to take an interest though it may be a little early, he's only 2.

Want something I can build, and possibly race in the future, though at this stage I'm not sure how serious I'll get again. So probably bashing will be main / first use.

[DCM]

if you have any inclination to racing, then I would suggest the B4, but if you don't intend to, the Desert Gator will be nice and tough for you.

[super gripper]

Hi, I'm looking at getting back into R/C cars having had various tamiya models in the 80/90's, and think the Desert Gator looks like a fairly good bet, based on spec for the price.

Anybody on here got one / had one? Good points / bad points please, need help to make a decision...

I would forget the Ansman car if i were you. 'cheap' being the obvious word !

rubbish is the other word for it !

i have seen people attempt to race them on tracks and they just fall apart......

if you are looking at the Desert Gator (DT02) I would say say for not much more money have a look at the DT02MS

comes with all the bits you need for racing and it will save you a packet in the long run

[bertberr]

OK, I hear what you're saying re the DT02 chassis and racing, from looking at other sites it appears this is a dead end alley even in MS form (which I can't find for sale anywhere - possibly discontinued?) if you want to be competitive racing.

But as I said this is for bashing first and foremost, though with oil dampers and full ball races, I would have thought that the Gator would at least be suitable (if not necessarily that competitive) should I decide to have a go at racing in a beginners class. Of course if I really caught the racing bug I would probably either just sell the Gator / Mad Rat or give it to my son for bashing and buy a second hand B4 or RB5.

So what I really want to know is why the Mad Rat is "rubbish" (I know it's cheap), what specifically are you referring to? Is it easy / cheap to sort?

Equally, why should I "forget" Tamiya? Which aspects of a Gator let it down?

Cheers

[DCM]

The Gator is a good car, I have owned one, and it does handle 'ok' on a track, but for bashing, it is ideal, and for your little trooper, ideal, and as you say, if you did get into racing, chances are you would buy a new car anyhows.

The Mad Rat, we got 3 at our club, and they are regularly breaking plastic parts, I didn't run mine enough to get to that, but these are young boys with stock motors.

[budgio]

The Desert Gator has no slipper clutch and a plastic none adjustable motor mount.The only reason i,d go for the tamiya DT-02ms is for the looks alone.;)
Madrats are not "rubbish" they are good budget club level racers.I ve been running mine for 6 months every week at the PDA and only broke a few parts which are cheap as chips to replace and easy to get hold of.I,d like to see some one run the DT-02 chassis but i havent seen any at any tracks ive been to.
Did i mention ive made the A-final at the pda with one for the last 6 weeks on the trot? :thumbsup:

[nottmboy]

hi my two daughters aged 9/11 have run these cars for over a year now and anyone who has seen them race will know they are virtually bullet proof:woot:
the only issue we have had were the front shock towers, which broke easily. this was solved by using a brace across the top of the tower.
the standard speedo is only good for sealed can motors (we run 20t in ours).
don't expect to make the next 'A' final with it and accept the level it is aimed at and you won't be disapointed.

[bertberr]

hi my two daughters aged 9/11 have run these cars for over a year now and anyone who has seen them race will know they are virtually bullet proof:woot:
the only issue we have had were the front shock towers, which broke easily. this was solved by using a brace across the top of the tower.
the standard speedo is only good for sealed can motors (we run 20t in ours).
don't expect to make the next 'A' final with it and accept the level it is aimed at and you won't be disapointed.

Hi, are you referring to the Gator or the Mad Rat???
Cheers
BB

[Migs]

the MS was discontinued ages ago, there arent many/any around, Tamiya really could have made a car worth having a try with in the gator, but silly limitations like the motor plate really let it down as a potential race car

[DCM]

it was never designed as a race car, I had one to evaluate, but just the way it goes together, rules it out. But that doesn't make it a 'bad car' just not a 'racing car' but it is robust and easy to maintain.

[nottmboy]

Hi, are you referring to the Gator or the Mad Rat???
Cheers
BB

gator

[Pablo668]

I got my youngest kid a Sand Viper (same car isn't it?) christmas before last as I wanted to get them into the hobby.....cause I enjoy it and I figured they would too.
It is damn tough and handles well, especially as a basher.
Since you are going to just bash with it I think it's fine, but if you keep an eye out on evilbay you could pick up a B4 with spares and radio gear for about the same price or even cheaper.
Just a thought.

[5POINTSTAR]

Gator/Viper for bashing, not familiar with the Madrat. When/if you want to race, go for a race buggy like the B4 etc..

Question- why 2WD, not a fan of 4WD buggies?

[bertberr]

Always liked the simplicity of 2wd buggy's, and the ease with which you could slide out of corners and fishtail up the road! Probably a bit biased too as I grew up with 2wd, never driven a 4wd in anger, just imagine them having too much grip (from an enjoyment point of view)...could be totally wrong there of course :confused:

[B44&501xRacerEX]

Yeah I heard the gator isnt very good on the track.
Hence it's cousin the DT-02MS.
Although it does come with bearings and is priced right.
Maybe good for club racing, just not world calibur races.

Ahem, no slipper as it's an option for it.:(

[shanks]

Get a traxxas slash for bashing pal

they don't break - lad will love the looks etc as it's a truck

more use than a madrat or tamiya as it can be used on far rougher terrain

have a look on you tube plenty of videos

[Fat Corgi]

Desert Gator (or sand viper) will be a good choice. Relatively tough, and perfect for your criteria. If you love it, the little one can inherit it and you can upgrade at a later date.

Pretty cheap too
http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/tamiya-110-desert-gator/

[Albertini]

I raced my Gator at the weekend (just sold the b4 and waiting far a cougar) with a 19t motor and different tyres. True the shocks are rubbish but I had so much fun racing it I'm tempted to take it again.
Long term I think it might shake itself to bits before anything actually broke as its all self tapping screws holding it together.
True I was mixing it with perhaps a lower heat than normal but it was up against B4's and it kind of held its own.:thumbsup:
Only thing is it seems to be alot dearer now than it used to be. It wasn't that long ago that a kit without speed controller (standard one is for 540s only anyway) was going for about £60-£70. Not now though.

[TonyV2382]

Unless you want to constantly replace parts, I wouldnt go with a B4 or anything totally race level. Despite what some will say the B4 I have breaks so much that I dont even take it out of its box anymore, and no its not the driving skill, the car's materials are just not up to par. Ive had better luck with my Losi XXX-CR which surprisingly has only broken 1 plastic ball end on the front camber link.

If I were you I would most certainly go tamiya Gator or rising storm whichever you prefer. Its a good way to get back in without breaking your wallet and those buggies are tough enough for your son to eventually take it and have fun with it and withstand some abuse. Traxxas cars are garbage dont even bother...nuff said on that one. Although the slash is tough the materials are so...eh...ghetto :yawn:.

Tamiya plastic is awesome and unparalleled in terms of durabilty/quality. Go with the gator or the MS dt02 and who cares if its not "race spec". Upgrade parts are available on ebay and are plentiful. So you can enjoy building/upgrading on the cheap without having to worry about constant maintenance. Ive seen races on youtube with DT02's, they do look a bit off on a race track but looks like a buttload of fun!:thumbsup: