Latrax and Traxxas's motivation for bringing it back part 1

Well there has been a lot of chatter about the new Traxxas brand Latrax and there LaTrax Rally – 1/18 Scale 4WD Rally Car and the purpose of this new brand is pretty well summed up on the about Latrax page.http://latrax.com/about.htm

Now the important part to me of this mission statement if you will is this : 

Today, LaTrax is powered by Traxxas and is staying true to its heritage by offering fun, high-quality, radio-controlled models that are backed by world-class Traxxas customer support, and priced under $200. LaTrax delivers the perfect combination of great value, leading performance, ease of use, and award-winning support that make radio control fun for everybody.

Now this statement has lead me to wonder if Traxxas is planning to use this line to retire some of the older Traxxas models and rebrand them under the Latrax name as they fit in this category and would be a easy way to fill the lineup. I mean you can't have a RC brand with just one RC.

Now bear with me here some of the vehicles that I think would be retired are some of the most popular RC's of all time but most are some of the oldest RC's still in production today, only being beaten by several tamiya models.

The vehicles I'm referring to are the  Traxxas Bandit , Rustler , Stampede 2wd , and even the Slash 2wd .

Now why do I think these fit in the Latrax lineup: The Xl-5  Bandit currently has a Suggested Sale Price of $199.99 the Rustler XL-5 is currently at $224.99 the Stampede is currently at $229.99 and finally the 2wd Slash XL-5 is suggest at $209.99. A $30 dollar price cut is all that would be required to get them under the $200 price limit and as I count it this would add at least 13 part number to the Latrax vehicle lineup. 

Then comes the question why make a whole brand just to move a few models .Well the simple answer is the most obvious the cars still make a lot of money for the company and as they have a huge following because of their reliability and aftermarket support this makes them the #1 recommendation for the first time hobbyist . All this makes taking them out of production a bad business move even if there replacements are just as good or better there will be public outcry. 

So you're asking yourself why not keep them under the Traxxas name . Well Traxxas has slowly been changing their image over the years and It seems they are taking new technology and racing more seriously  and the big 3 don't really fit in to this  image well . Now I'm not saying  any of their other cars are top of the line race machines but most are or were at the top of their Category . 

Now to those of you who disagree about the taking Racing seriously all I can say is just look at the LCG Slash 4x4 conversion kit . If they didn't care about racing it wouldn't exist let alone the Slash 4X4 Ultimate or the Slash 4x4 platinum edition Granted they may not be the top of the line racer but they are competitive.

Now if nothing else you should be able to admit Traxxas has always kept themselves

in the spotlight or right at the edge of it and its always been a mixture of  innovative / inventive products that have kept them there . 3 new vehicles from traxxas would be a huge deal 

I really do mean every word I have Typed hear as I love Traxxas and I really do see this as possible direction and motivation for Traxxas to bring this brand back .

So if you have read this far I'm sure you are wondering what I think the replacements may be .

All I feel I can predict on this matter is that the Stadium truck would probably be based loosely on the Traxxas Jato  as most of suspension would already be in production and the front bulkhead would be easy to adapt. A replacement for the slash would probably be similar but with a stretched chassis and new control arms .For a 2wd buggy I could see using the jato front bulkhead with new control arm found all the way around and new shock towers . As Losi has brought aluminum chassis back to 1/10 2wd racing I could see Traxxas implementing one also on the new models . When it comes to the Transmission I don't claim to  know what they might do but i would like to see quick differential removal like the Jato has as I think that would be a nice addition .

Now on the new vehicles I don't see brushed power at all . I see a RTR Vxl brushless powered trucks and buggies and hopefully some highly optioned rollers similar to the Slash 4X4 Platinum Edition some time after the RTR releases.

Granted they have always specialized in RTR models in the early years they were also successful at producing competitive off road racers . Can you imagine if Traxxas had a win in a Nationals championship today with a buggy or stadium truck . It would probably be the biggest news of the year . If you want a small history lesson and to look at some of the old Traxxas ads referencing different wins follow this link.http://www.rc10talk.com    

Now you're thinking I left the Stampede out and to be honest I'm not sure they would add a new 2wd monster truck. To me a 2wd monster truck is a beginner RC and it really wouldn't fit into the Traxxas line up any more as the remaining Vehicles would be targeted at the more experienced Hobbyist. Think of it as a Latrax would be your first car and a Traxxas would be your second or Third car. 

So if I buy a Brand new car to race .

Now in my last post I said I really think 2wd buggy is where I would have the most fun but I also sayed I didn't like the Idea of buying on ebay unless it was uber cheap because most of them have been raced and probably need a good deal of work . So I have done a bit of research and have came up with this list to roughly figure what my budget would need to be to a fairly competitive buggy with parts support at the track I plan to be at .

Oh yah parts support for the most part points me directly at the RC10b4.2 and if it was in my budget the factory team kit would be superb but really it has a lot of things I don't feel I need I might want them but I don't think I need them . So that leaves the B4.2RS RTR .

Now I'm not suggesting you go out and buy one and expect to win with it as it does have a few problems as the motor and speed control leave a lot to be desired and the steering servo well its supposed to be very slow .Some people do like the radio but after holding it i'm not a big fan and would prefer some of my cheapos. The tires are also a area of debate but I know they probably won't do well where I plan to run

So if I was to go this route I think this exactly how I would do it .Prices are  from tower hobbies and hobbyking.(this doesn't factor in coupons, shipping, or any other possible discounts)

Tower Hobbies order.

Stock Number Product Description ITEM NOTE Order Qty Ship Qty Back Order Qty Price Each Remove From Cart  LXDNDVBY  Associated RC10B4.2 RS 2.4GHz RTR Blue/Yellow 1 $ 249.99   LXBVF9  Associated Factory Team Buggy Front Spring Kit (8) 1 $ 10.99   LXBVG0  Associated Factory Team Truck/Buggy Rear Spring Kit(10) 1 $ 10.99   LXSF70  Associated Factory Team Green Slime E 1 $ 2.29   LX3306  Associated Silicone Shock Fluid 40 Weight 2 oz E 1 $ 3.69   LX3304  Associated Silicone Shock Fluid 20 Weight 2 oz E 1 $ 3.69   LX3305  Associated Silicone Shock Fluid 30 Weight 2 oz E 1 $ 3.69   LXEAK4  Associated Kimbrough Spur Gear 84T 1 $ 3.69   LXEAK5  Associated Kimbrough Spur Gear 87T 1 $ 3.69   LXEPF7  Associated Factory Team Heavy Duty Servo Saver Spring 1 $ 1.50   LXBNFW  Associated Front Buggy Dish Wheel White (2) 1 $ 5.49   LXCRVA  Associated Buggy Rear Wheel Hex White B4.1/B44.1 1 $ 5.49   LXGGV2  RPM Front Mini Bumper Black B4/T4/GT2 1 $ 4.89   LXVT96  RPM Heavy Duty Rod Ends Purple 4-40 (12) 1 $ 4.89   LXDCKG  Pro-Line 4-Rib 2.2" 2WD M4 Off-Road Buggy Front Tires 1 $ 12.29   LXZJS6  Pro-Line Caliber 2.2" M3 Off-Road Buggy Rear Tires (2) 1 $ 12.29   LXCTER  STRC Alum Front Hinge-Pin Brace Associated SC10/B4/T4 1 $ 8.79   LXEX34  Robinson Racing Pinion Gear 6-Pack Even 16-26T 1 $ 12.69  In-Stock Items:  $ 361.03

Hobbyking order (US Warehouse) :

Quantity	Stock	Product description	Price	Weight
	OK	9192000047 - Turnigy Trackstar 80A Turbo Sensored Bru..	$35.32	115
	OK	9192000049 - Turnigy TrackStar Turbo and Waterproof E..	$10.19	152
	OK	9192000037 - Turnigy TrackStar 9.5T Sensored Brushles..	$32.63	250
	OK	TGY-1258TG - Turnigy 1258TG Digital Titanium Gear Ser..	$32.75	169
TOTAL: $110.89				686g

Now I know this isn't cheap but some money can be gained back from selling off parts you don't need right off the bat on ebay and really this is the best thing you can do as you can sell them as new and freshly removed from the car. Rough figures as to what this stuff should go for.

XP SC-500BL & Reedy 540-R 3300 KV Motor Brushless Team Associated $85.00

Team associated 9664 premount rear tires $10.99

Team associated 9663 premount front tires $12.99

TEAM ASSOCIATED XP2G 2 CHANNEL  2.4ghz RADIO i RECEIVER 29215 $34.99

Team associated servo SHV1504MG or S1903mg  $5.00-$11.00

Total  - $149.00


Now I didn't put a radio in this because this really is up to the individual user and I don't think I need to add another into my collection just yet so I left it off I also added some tuning supplies into the tower hobbies list that are pretty much gotta haves if your going to run on a track.

I hope this helps someone out there .