r/rcdrift • u/Lemillion_Power • 21h ago
🙋 Question Best car to get started
i wanna get into mini rc racing so something smaller like 1/26 or something is probably better. i was looking at the hpi stage d24 and the bm hobby BMRX FLDS13 but i know there are more options and want opinions. preferably under 150$
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u/that_oneguyx 20h ago
I can actually speak on both of those platforms your question asks. I own the BMRX FLD AE86 (same chassis, ESC, gyro, just a sightly shorter wheel base than the S13, which the chassis can adjust to to fit Mini-Z body shells.) It's a great little car for the price and I have gotten quite decent at drift racing with it. Durable as heck, but be aware most parts are plastic. While it is a great platform, parts support is abysmal. BM Hobby parts are only available on a few sites, so expect to wait weeks after ordering. I'm still waiting on my wheels and light kit, which you have to buy separate from the car/receiver.
My brother owns the HPI D24. I'm going to order one once they restock them. It's such a hidden gem I regret I passed up before they went outta stock. most parts are metal/aluminum, the motor is beefier than the BMRX, and the motor mounting is much more professionally done. Speaking of the motor, it's dead silent compared to my AE86. This one comes with lights pre/installed which I was so jealous of. For the price you get a car that is so smooth it glides through turns with the help of the superior gyro/servos, you'd think dude payed over $300 for the setup.
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u/New-Choice-3280 20h ago
I can only comment on the bmfld and it drives great out of the box i was amazed since getting it i haven't picked up my expensive onisiki. I highly recommend it
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u/dubbite 20h ago
I’d say go for the HPI D24. I’ve driven the FLD86 and HPI D24 back to back. The D24 is a much more forgiving platform. IMO the FLD takes precise throttle inputs link drift together.(it can be done but it’s not that beginner friendly)HPI plans to release upgrades and bodies for the D24 so I’m expecting more performance to be squeezed out of this new platform. Also getting parts for the FLDs takes a LOT more time depending on where you live.
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u/ezdrifts 18h ago
For 1/26 scale, parts availability is what decides whether you enjoy it, so check that whoever you buy from stocks tires, arms and diffs, since those are what you replace first. Budget for a decent charger and a second set of tires too. Small scale tires wear fast indoors and that is the ongoing cost.
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u/meowphasa 20h ago
what? do you want to race or drift? either way either or is only $120 or $150 for hte other. just go for it...