Top 5 4wd

[xx4 fanatic]

As we all know there really isnt a "best" 4wd but im curious what you guys think are the top 5 4wd.
In no particular order i'd say think....
s4
bj4x4WE
x-5/xx4
durango
x10 soon to be x11
if it was released the a-1 would be in the list.

[Lee]

I dont think the losi boys will be too happy with you.:D

[_sleigh_]

As we all know there really isnt a "best" 4wd but im curious what you guys think are the top 5 4wd.
In no particular order i'd say think....
s4
bj4x4WE
x-5
durango
x10 soon to be x11
if it was released the a-1 would be in the list.

If you're not including the A-1 because it's not released, then you can't really include the Durango. That was only ever produced for the chosen few and not for the mass market.

As Lee sorta says, the XX-4 should be in there, but where it's hard to say.

[NeilD]

In first place Phil!

[xx4 fanatic]

the xx4 is a great car no doubt about it. its what i run lol. but im kinda considering my list as x-5/xx4. and my list isnt in any order from best to worst.

[Lee Martin]

the A1 is being released in mid july.........

and too right, the durango wasnt

[bert digler]

the A1 is being released in mid july.........

and too right, the durango wasnt

wheres the zx5 it made all japan and worlds warm up final:o

[bert digler]

wheres the zx5 it made all japan and worlds warm up final:o

and the tamiya and hpi wtf u lot on:D

[Scouser]

Well I haven't had enough driving experience to post a list but I did wonder why the Yokomo MR-4BX never appears on peoples favourites? I have only ever seen one in the flesh but it looked top notch. Any ideas why this car is seemingly unpopular?
Sorry to take this thread off topic!

[bert digler]

not a clue charlatans:D

[Northy]

Isn't eh Durango "being released by a very well known RC company" or whatever Gerd said? :confused: :confused: ;)

G

[bigred5765]

if you did best 5 of all time that may throw a spanner in the works
hmmm
cat xls
lazer zxr
yok yz10
xx4we
pred

[NeilD]

The new Yoke is a bugger to set up.

[Southwell]

The yok is unbelievebly twitchy and i hate it in high grip situations, in the soaking wet at kiddy it was awesome though, go figure.

[jeroen206]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/PICT0632.jpg (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/PICT0632.jpg)

this one was the best

[jeroen206]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/11.jpg

after this one

[jimmy]

nice cars!

[trekkerkk]

very nice,
my xls used to look like that lol

trekkker

[_sleigh_]

That XLS, she is "HOT" :p

Always regret selling mine.... :(

[bigred5765]

awsome to see
eeeee that brings back memories

[NeilD]

Guys Jeroen has the best Schumachers around, apert from my ProCat - sorry mate.:D :D

[Northy]

Top 5 4wd's:

X10
P8
ETQ
Mitcham
XK98

[bigred5765]

Top 5 4wd's:

X10
P8
ETQ
Mitcham
XK98

i think he means 5 makes not all from one stable lol
northy you pred head

[Colinevan]

Hmm no one remember these 2.

The top force was a cracking car, the egress was a little brittle lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/col.evan.mil/PC200168.jpg


:cool:

[Chris Doughty]

Top 5 4wd's:

X10
P8
ETQ
Mitcham
XK98

the X11 must be rubbish then :p

[jeroen206]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/8.jpg

THIS ONE IS ALMOST AS NICE AS YOUR PROCAT NEIL

[jeroen206]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/10.jpg

OR MAYBE THIS ONE

[Chris Doughty]

those old cats are crying out for someone to make a 'durango' style 3+3 battery layout, or even a 2WD 'stick' pack layout down the centre...

[millzy]

Pred p8 with AE pistons
x5 with xxxcr rear end
xx4 worlds
A-1
CAT 3000

[Northy]

the X11 must be rubbish then :p

Not released yet! :eh?:

G

[sosidge]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/11.jpg (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/11.jpg)

after this one

Is this one an XL? Black wheels? Only Schumacher to win a worlds - helps when you have Masami driving though...

[NeilD]

those old cats are crying out for someone to make a 'durango' style 3+3 battery layout, or even a 2WD 'stick' pack layout down the centre...

Are you the man to do it Chris? (i hope so)

[NeilD]

Jeroen you know i really like your Schumachers. Post a pic of the best TopCat in the World!!:)

[Chris Doughty]

Are you the man to do it Chris? (i hope so)

I can't do it personally, but get in contact with Atomic-Carbon, im sure its possible to get something sorted...

would make an interesting back-to-back, cat old style vs cat old style with new battery placement... ?

[NeilD]

Chris, how feasible do you think it would be to do?

[trekkerkk]

is it me or does the xls just look like the best buggy ever,
its just so sleek,


trekkker

ps anyone going to sell me one:)

[NeilD]

And it won every major race in 1986/87 all over the World.

I've just sold mine.

[trekkerkk]

doh:(

[NeilD]

Get one off ebay and do it up. It's really rewarding although it took me around two years to do mine. www.racing-cars.co.uk (http://www.racing-cars.co.uk) is the place to go (hope this link is ok Jimmy?) Jeroen will always help out and theres Jimbo (now he's finally back online) and Bormac as well. All my schuey parts are now used/sold but if you need any help with things just ask.:)

[trekkerkk]

cant get link to work,
thanks for the advice,
could you double check it please,
or it could just be mr lol

trekkker

[NeilD]

Sorry, www.racing-cars.com (http://www.racing-cars.com) then click on the forum link on the left hand side.

[NeilD]

My XLS http://www.racing-cars.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6160&PN=5

[NeilD]

And ProCat http://www.racing-cars.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5973&PN=9

[GRIFF55]

.com, not .co.uk works!!

[GRIFF55]

sorry, hadn't refreshed:wtf:

[NeilD]

At least your sorted now.:D

[trekkerkk]

some seriously nice cars

trekkker

[Chris Doughty]

Chris, how feasible do you think it would be to do?

from looking at the pics it seems perfectly feasible, just need a custom cf chassis with the battery slots in a different config.

would proberbly need more material in the rear where the gearbox mounts to it, just need to fillet or chamfer the 'empty' bits below the motor and the oposite side.

in fact, thinking about it, other than the belt having to run under the chassis it would be a pretty perfect 4WD elecs layout!

[Northy]

The belt runs under the chassis on the Bosscat ;)

G

[sosidge]

I think you would tear the transmission to bits with modern power through an old CAT transmission, not the finest quality components, fine pitch belts and no slipper.

[jeroen206]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/34.jpg (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/JEROEN206/34.jpg)Jeroen you know i really like your Schumachers. Post a pic of the best TopCat in the World!!:)




look here http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=51541&id=15092

[Welshy40]

My five best cars ever in no particular order

Schumacher XLS (Worlds winner)
Lazer ZX (Worlds finalist)
Lazer ZXS (Japanese title winner)
Yokomo YZ10 (Worlds winner)
Tomy Intruder (Cracking design)

But for nowadays it has to be

The Tamiya TRF501X
Yokomo MR4BX
Losi XXX4
X Factory X5 conversion
MRC Team Academy SBV2 Pro


jeroen206 - seriously nice top cat, brings back memories.

[terry.sc]

I think you would tear the transmission to bits with modern power through an old CAT transmission, not the finest quality components, fine pitch belts and no slipper.
Depends what you have in the gearbox;) Wasp high torque conversion in mine:D Sorry it's not spotless but mine are runners not posers:D

[NeilD]

Hi-torque belts are still available from Schumacher as well. Bormac runs a 5.5 in his BossCat with no ill effects.

[bert digler]

My five best cars ever in no particular order

Schumacher XLS (Worlds winner)
Lazer ZX (Worlds finalist)
Lazer ZXS (Japanese title winner)
Yokomo YZ10 (Worlds winner)
Tomy Intruder (Cracking design)

But for nowadays it has to be

The Tamiya TRF501X
Yokomo MR4BX
Losi XXX4
X Factory X5 conversion
MRC Team Academy SBV2 Pro


jeroen206 - seriously nice top cat, brings back memories.

tomy intruder:D now dont forget ayk radiant that was shite too:D defo all time cat xls just leagues ahead of its time modern cars i dont know perhaps the bj4 on performance but for sheer engineering the tamiya has it

[NeilD]

XLS and YZ10 then BJ4WE and Losi XX4.

[matt]

Mine would be
BJ4we
Cougar 2000 95 team
B4
Cat 2000 EC with the carbon tub chassis
Losi XX with the schumacher S.A.C.S front end.

[HKP]

The belt runs under the chassis on the Bosscat ;)

G
Not on mine G...

It runs in a plastic cover above the lower chassis plate :yawn:

[NeilD]

He's thinking Pro.

[BradR]

But for nowadays it has to be

The Tamiya TRF501X
Yokomo MR4BX
Losi XXX4
X Factory X5 conversion
MRC Team Academy SBV2 Pro

So, the BJ4 Worlds Edition:

current IFMAR World Champion
current EFRA European Champion
current and back-to-back ROAR National Champion
current and back-to-back Cactus Classic Champion

It doesn't even make your top five for nowadays?

[Chris Doughty]

but the xxx4 does... brilliant! :o :rolleyes:

[Lee]

But for nowadays it has to be

The Tamiya TRF501X
Yokomo MR4BX
Losi XXX4
X Factory X5 conversion
MRC Team Academy SBV2 Pro




You cannot be for real?

Losi xxx4 its a tourer with big wheels, any sign of a bump and it falls over.
Yok BX, is only really competitive in the hands of superstars like masami and cragg and you academy idea is a joke im sure

You haven`t even added the current world and european champ as others have said:mad:

Are you here just to waste bandwidth?

[jimmy]

lol, now now, everyones allowed to have their own idea of what's good or not - no matter how random! :)

[Lee]

Opinions are fine but lies are just wrong:D

[Welshy40]

So, the BJ4 Worlds Edition:

current IFMAR World Champion
current EFRA European Champion
current and back-to-back ROAR National Champion
current and back-to-back Cactus Classic Champion

It doesn't even make your top five for nowadays?


BJ4 is a great car dont get me wrong, and I was in the list for the top two hundred when they decided to sell it.

But for ease of use the Academy beats it hands down. Better chassis layout with a lot more options available to any driver who buys it. Its a shaft but it gets my vote as you are not set to the standard cell layout design.

[Lee]

BJ4 is a great car dont get me wrong, and I was in the list for the top two hundred when they decided to sell it.


Did they decide not to sell it to you?
You say the academy is better laid out which in turn means its faster?

So how many titles has this academy won?:o

[Welshy40]

You cannot be for real?

Losi xxx4 its a tourer with big wheels, any sign of a bump and it falls over.
Yok BX, is only really competitive in the hands of superstars like masami and cragg and you academy idea is a joke im sure

You haven`t even added the current world and european champ as others have said:mad:

Are you here just to waste bandwidth?

Hehe funny. Losi is easy to use and is ok. Just because it doesnt work for you doesnt mean it doesnt for other people.

My opinion on the Academy is the design and thought that went into the car is much better than anything else on the market. You are not fixed with one layout for the batteries, as well as the options you get with the kit as standard make it a good car, and they are competitive as well. Yes its a shaft, but no ones perfect.

Besides Masami and Crag dont drive standard cars do they so they dont count, but in my books (thats what these threads are for - opinions) these are the cars I would buy.

[Welshy40]

Did they decide not to sell it to you?
You say the academy is better laid out which in turn means its faster?

So how many titles has this academy won?:o

How many titles have belts won compared to shaft. shaft lose big time.

Im talking about a good design, who cares about titles as its down to the design that makes you buy it, not because someone won an event with it.

If you did then as you said earlier, great drivers can make a shed go quick, so you may be buying rubbish. Besides titles mean diddly for the beginner.

Oh yeah I decided not to buy it as it wasnt a design that I really liked.

[GRIFF55]

I can see this thread ending up like the schumacher protoype one!!:(

[Welshy40]

I can see this thread ending up like the schumacher protoype one!!:(

Nope, Lee does have a point, but its his opinion and I have mine. Not a problem. I kindof understand where he is coming from, but designs are why I buy a car and not down to a named driver like Masami driving them.

Besides, none of the cars being sold nowadays, well with exception of Tamiyas 501 is up to my standards, so I am sticking to my ZXS

[Lee]

So if the xxx4 works so well why did the whole uk team revert back to the xx4

The academy may have cell options but is that because they couldn`t find the optimum layout?:rolleyes:

And yes Craggy may have a different shock tower here or there but what the team use now is what we see in 6 months time if it works.


Belt cars have won more titles but how many top class shaft cars have been around to challenge that, i seem to remember the pred being pretty quick with Kev moore, mitcham, craggy and drescher driving?

Does design really make you buy it?
I would say the cars performance on the track would gain more peoples votes hence race wins and titles. And generally a quick car is a car that is easy to drive quick, which means its predictable and pretty stable and inspires confidence.

Someone correct me if im talking out my @sre?:D

[PaulRotheram]

Im talking about a good design, who cares about titles as its down to the design that makes you buy it, not because someone won an event with it.


apparently you care about winning events..

the ZX5 hasnt won the big titles, so it isnt as good as its predecessor

[Lee]

Besides, none of the cars being sold nowadays, well with exception of Tamiyas 501 is up to my standards, so I am sticking to my ZXS

That is the best quote i have ever heard:D

Im sure mr atomic carbon, mr aero, jconcepts, etc will build a car just for you.

And wasn`t the ZXS a sport version:rolleyes: :D

[NeilD]

If a car is well designed won't it win the bigger races?

Why doesn't Masami run an Academy? Cos it's shit.

[Lee]

Why doesn't Masami run an Academy? Cos it's shit.

2nd best quote:D :cool:

[Welshy40]

apparently you care about design..


Yes and the design of the ZX5 is not good. Looks very much like the other shafts, whereas the Academy is a breath of fresh air.

I didnt realise Craig Dresher raced a Pred, I know kev did and won the champs and billy but craig I thought drove for schumacher, well he did when I was pitting with him and Jon tucker at the nationals. I know Kinwald raced a Pred for a while, and yes it was a good design but Lee, you are missing the point. The reason for this thread is everyone is putting their own opinions down for what they feel is the best 4wd. I have, deal with it.

Lee you crack me up, the ZXS won the Japanese nationals ages ago (somewhere between 93 to 96 and was only ever sold in Japan. Only 500 copies ever made and the designs are still being used in newer cars today.

i will post a picture if your interested, you may not like it but what the heck.

[Welshy40]

A Lazer ZXS standard car

[Richard Lowe]

Why doesn't Masami run an Academy? Cos it's shit.
Let it out Neil, let it out :D

James, the Academy is made of rubber; how do you even remotely consider it to be well designed if they couldn't even get their materials right?
The XXX4 is pretty poor and always has been, the only reason it did so well was at the time it was just about the only race spec car that had good support, so everyone ran it.

Yes and the design of the ZX5 is not good. Looks very much like the other shafts, whereas the Academy is a breath of fresh air.
What exactly do you want, motor mounted on the end of the wing mounts?!
By your logic any car that slightly resembles another car in layout or whatever is automatically a load of rubbish, then you go and say the Academy is great despite the origonal being a carbon copy of the first gen shaft drive cars and the new one a carbon copy of the BJ4WE :confused:

You do know the prototype 501's used BJ4 suspention, then for the production models Tamiya just made their own moulds of parts but kept the geometry?

[NeilD]

Christ Rich don't give the man ideas!!!!

[NeilD]

Prototype 501's were actually Yokomo BX's:D

[Welshy40]

I like the design, doesnt mean im going to buy one but its a nice design. Yes they may be fragile but I like it, even tho its a shaft, but it looks refreshing and the car comes with a lot more so as far as im concerned its in my list of nowaday top five cars.

Masami would chuck it without opening the box but who cares as he could drive it into a worlds A with ease if he wanted to. He could do it with his toes if he wanted to.

I also know about the prototype tamiyas using other parts from other manufacturers, but the drive train is a belt design and I prefer that to shafts.

[NeilD]

Do you still wear platform shoes and flares? Just to complete the retro look.

[Welshy40]

Nope, but can still disco hehehe.

A lot of people seem to be missing the point,

The thread is for the what we think are the best 4wd cars and what we think are the top five. End of!!

Mine are listed and I dont recall having ago at everyone on this site just due to what they chose, so if you dont like it isnt any fault of mine.

[Richard Lowe]

Masami would chuck it without opening the box but who cares as he could drive it into a worlds A with ease if he wanted to.

Hahahahahahahaha :D


























No

[NeilD]

Nope, but can still disco hehehe.

A lot of people seem to be missing the point,

The thread is for the what we think are the best 4wd cars and what we think are the top five. End of!!

Mine are listed and I dont recall having ago at everyone on this site just due to what they chose, so if you dont like it isnt any fault of mine.

It's a public forum where comments/views are discussed.

[Funkymojo]

The SB Pro was shit..the materials used were horrible, but the SB V2 was a lot better...chassis still flexed like crazy though...:D One of my mate's just got himself the SB V2 Pro...for the price he paid i would have to say it's a great buy. The arms and shock towers are moulded with a new stronger material and the metal parts like the outdrives, cvds...etc are tougher too...Even the carbon fibre used are of better quality...for the price..it's really a bargain..but i still do not like the shocks...As for the Lazer ZXS...it's really a great designed buggy...the Japanese Kyosho team ran the prototypes as early as 1994..the first production model was released in 1996 followed by the ZXS EVO in 2002...ZXS were used by Japanese team Kyosho drivers all the way up till late 2004...and in every Japanese national..there are always ZXS making into the A main...Overall the ZXS is a great buggy. Most of the current stable of pro spec 4wd buggies in the market are great buggies...i like all of them. Some have condemned the ZX5...i had one before...it's a pretty good buggy, the only let down were the materials used...but for that price..there's nothing much to complain about. Personally there is no such thing as the best 4wd buggy, the best buggy is the one that works best for you.... :D

[Lee]

Sorry welshy when you said ZXS i thought you meant the sport version of the zxr from the 90`s. Im not a kyosho guru like yourself.

But i still find it very hard to take you seriously:D

[bender]

Well I'll chime in with my opinion, excuse me if my choices are not quite as random as some ;)

Best 5 of all time (listed chronologically). I consider them the best simply because they were the dominant 4wd's of their time. They all had/have features that stood out from the rest.

1. Kyosho Optima
2. Schumacher Cat XL/S
3. Yokomo YZ10
4. Losi XX4
5. BJ4

As for the top 5 currently, I would say all of the BJ4 WE style buggies would have to be pretty even - the BJ4 WE, 501X, HB D4, Yokomo etc

I think there's a possibility that the "slim" versions of the BJ4 (Durango, Aero, Atomic) may be even a little better, but until they are actual production cars available to the public, then I think it's not right to include them.

[Lee]

I think everyone agree`s that the pro cat and the xls have a legendary status along with the optimas.

The YZ10 looked so cool at the time, it was super flat. I remember always thinking that was the car to have back then. ( i was only 11)

I have heard people talking about the old PB cars, i dont know much about them but some rate them very highly

[P_B]

I'll have a go then.

Not really rated on success, design or near-religious fanaticism, just a personal list in no particular order:

1. Cat XLS - looked great, went great, end of.
2. MIP 4WD RC10 conversion - great adaptation/engineering, got to admire the patriotic Yank determination to make their RC10 a 'one-size-fits-all' application.
3. Tomy Intruder - bit of a Lazer copy, but I like the way it arrived straight out of left-field and took a few people by surprise.
4. Losi XX-4 - competitive longevity of the design speaks for itself.
5. PB Mini-Mustang - innovative single-belt, well-sealed box chassis and uniform length front/rear suspension have all since been taken and improved upon, showing the fundamental design ideas were all good.

4WD is a interesting now as it has ever been and there are lots of great recent designs kicking around. Based on success the BJ4WE deserves a mention and for sheer good looks the 501X. Perhaps they'll make it onto my slightly sepia-tinted list in due course?

[GRIFF55]

How about the PB maxima, that drove so much better than my mini mustang, loved that backbone layout as well. But not a patch on these
Cat XLS(oooh i loved these)
Optima Mid
Yok Dogfighter
XX4
Can't pick a fifth as there are soo many to choose from, all good cars!
D4,501x,BJ4,Pred and the list goes on!!
I remember that MIP RC10(chain drive), didn't jamin jay have one at the 87worlds?

[Nick Goodall]

Purely based on the cars i raced over the years (not today's cars):

Predator - Cornered so fast and so rewarding to drive

Cat 2000 EC - Just a great all rounder, especially in the mid 90's when nearly everyone was racing it, great car.

Cat 2000 - Again as above although only raced it for a while until the EC Conversion came out

Bosscat - I had Andy Shaw's Ex-Factory car with the shocks mounted on the rear of the rear shock tower and it was fantastic and got me into racing properly doing the RRCi Series (standard class) when i was about 12.

Lazer ZXR - Although always had problems with dumping back in the early 90's

[RLGfx]

Lazer ZXR - Although always had problems with dumping back in the early 90's



you can get pills for that you know... or prune juice does the trick... :D

[kaszal]

Depends what you have in the gearbox;) Wasp high torque conversion in mine:D Sorry it's not spotless but mine are runners not posers:D

Hey, whatever happened to this gearbox? Were these good to race with?

[tyrone77]

Hiya,
The XXX4 is almost eight years old, and yes I know everyone thinks its a joke, but this car still goes strong with all of the Losi drivers here in Perth (Australia).
It still offers that competitive edge amongst the B44 and Kyosho.
I still race with two of these buggers and will not change until something new comes out of Losi`s door.

[Miggers]

Well I'll chime in with my opinion, excuse me if my choices are not quite as random as some ;)

Best 5 of all time (listed chronologically). I consider them the best simply because they were the dominant 4wd's of their time. They all had/have features that stood out from the rest.

1. Kyosho Optima
2. Schumacher Cat XL/S
3. Yokomo YZ10
4. Losi XX4
5. BJ4

As for the top 5 currently, I would say all of the BJ4 WE style buggies would have to be pretty even - the BJ4 WE, 501X, HB D4, Yokomo etc

I think there's a possibility that the "slim" versions of the BJ4 (Durango, Aero, Atomic) may be even a little better, but until they are actual production cars available to the public, then I think it's not right to include them.


I'd go with that too,though I raced the fabulous Optima Mid Custom:lol:and loved it.
Mine had two years of hard racing and never broke down once,they were/are superb machines.
The Schumachers were also fantastic,it always seemd to be us Kyosho pilots dicing with the Schumacher pilots.I always wanted a CAT,but never managed to get one.

Now,I know folks are going to laugh,but can I just slip in one Tamiya?.
Nope not the much vaunted Hotshot,but the Boomerang:blush:.
It got me into rc cars and 4WD racing.
At beginner level it was a good solid design that performed regularly
and consistantly every week.

Hithankyou.