I went back to see my mom last November. My brother decided to torture me by requesting me to work on his old HPI RS4 touring car. I was not a huge fan of Nitro as it is more maintenance than an electric car. That is until I got it running! Then, I was like, “Oh Baaaby! I know what I want!” The smell of smoke, the engine idling, and my knuckles instantly growing hair! It was awesome. I looked over at my 12-year-old son. He had a full beard, chest hair popping out of his shirt, and said in a deep voice, “Sdat was Aweshume!” I was like, “When did you start talking like Sean Connery?” It was a weird moment for sure….. I might be exaggerating, but on a serious note, it is rewarding to get the car to fire. I was like, “Okay, new item to my bucket list!” I never said I aimed high in my life goals!

So, I started looking into nitro RC cars. As usual, I was obsessed about everything. I almost bought this Kyosho FW06 to build into a rally car, but then I figure out the full price if I built that kit. My plan was to buy the Kyosho rally shocks and make a pretty fun car to run in some limited dirt. However, when I ran the numbers on the full build I really didn’t want to spend that much money on a nitro RC car that I might not enjoy as much as I think I will.

My goal was to get a basher, and stay below 350 on total investment. I found the Traxxas Slash Nitro right at 350 as RTR. I will say that this is probably the best bang for the buck in RC. Yes, 350 is expensive, but there are some neat features. So, I had my my eye on the prize.

I love the look of the truck. I have always loved the trophy trucks and the short course trucks. The suspension flex, and seeing them lift wheels while going around a corner is just cool beans!

I can hear the truck starting at the Baja 1000 when I look at this image…. although the kid step might be the giveaway that it won’t have the 1000 HP sound of a trophy truck…..

Remember that part about me being cheap? Well, I didn’t want to pay 350 so I went to Ebay. I bid on a bunch, but most of them were not great buys so I backed away. Then one night, cue the angelic choir and bright lights, I was processing video, cruised ebay, and started writing a dude about his Traxxas Slash that was broken in, and barely run. He ripped the radio system out for another car, but I have my Spectrum system so that is not a big deal. I made him an offer he made me a counter offer, and we closed the deal. It turns out that his counter offer was one that I could not refuse and even better I didn’t wake up with a severed horse head in my bed! I call it a win/win negotiation.

The truck arrived as described and only had two defects that probably happened in shipping. I’m not going to loose sleep over them.

First, the body has a slight crease in it however, that it is not a big issue to be honest because I plan on driving this thing a bunch and I think it might get some more “memories” to quote Maynard. So, it it came in pre-sentimentalized.

Traxxas Slash roof — You can barely see the crease. If the light hits it just right then you will see it. So, not really something complain worthy. However, since this is the internet we have to complain about something.

Second, one of the shock spring retainer was missing. This could have happened in shipping as well. My son, I don’t advocate child labor, unless it is your own child, and they are mostly willing. (Laugh people…. it's a joke!) He took measurements of another spring retainer while I was on a phone call, and he had a new one designed before I could even ask him to do it. I was a little impressed.

Personally, I like a pull start because one does not need to make sure a battery is charged. However, the electric start is pretty cool. I do have concerns about it being a problem if I take the truck out into the hills. I will make sure I have a spare battery if I take it with me when I go mountain biking. It might be fun to rip the truck on a fire road before I head home. The engine is purty!

The blue wire is for the electric start. The wire attaches to the glow plug. You can tell if the glow plug is bad because when you hit the start button on the wander the green light for the glow plug will not glow. Personally, I have a separate ignitor to use so I can heat the plug before starting the motor. One thing I don’t like about the Traxxas EZ start is that you cannot heat the glow plug separate from turning the motor.

So, what about the design? It looks like the starter motor is just a 380 motor. My initial guess was that it is on a standard pinion. I used this tool called google and found this sheet on the motor. Turns out a new one is only 15 bucks. I think that is pretty cool that Traxxas keeps the starter motor affordable.

I look forward to reporting back after I get this truck ripping! Until we meet again may the Lord’s blessing and peace be upon you!