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Old 2004.12.02, 09:50 PM   #1
mfarris
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New to mini-z, any suggestions?.......(m)

Hi all,

I am completely new to mini z's. In fact, I have yet to purchase one, but I certainly plan to, as well as a couple of my buddies. Just wondering if anyone might want to offer some suggestions for a beginner such as type of car to start off with, where to buy it, how big of track to use for say 4 cars, where to get a track, etc. My buddies and I have talked about building a track out of foam. Is that advisable? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mike
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Old 2004.12.02, 10:56 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mfarris
Hi all,

I am completely new to mini z's. In fact, I have yet to purchase one, but I certainly plan to, as well as a couple of my buddies. Just wondering if anyone might want to offer some suggestions for a beginner such as type of car to start off with, where to buy it, how big of track to use for say 4 cars, where to get a track, etc. My buddies and I have talked about building a track out of foam. Is that advisable? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mike
Mike...if its track riding you're doing get an MR02...I tried to "save $" with teh 01 but the 02 handles better and in my honest opinion is more durable. Look through the forum and decide what bosy suits you best though Id stich with the MM (mid motor mount as opposed ot the RM or rear motor mount).

I have a foam track and love it...its just fatigue mats and I savety pin the borders as rails. A cheap option and as I leave it outside it works for now. However...if I was to buy a track for an indoor setup or a nice dry area outdoors...I'd go with an RCP...see what you can fit in your space (there is a new program that will help you...see the site)..and feel free to e-mail anyone here about their posts they are all great people!

BTW...the shop has great service and I'd say buy a readyset then after yopu can drive it well start addign hop ups...hopups DO NOT improve your driving.
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Old 2004.12.02, 11:23 PM   #3
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For track use, the F1 also runs great out of the box. However, the option parts tend to be a little more expensive.
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Old 2004.12.02, 11:38 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by TNB
For track use, the F1 also runs great out of the box. However, the option parts tend to be a little more expensive.
Agreed TNB. Mine has K ball diff, bearings and speedy BB motor (oh and various tires....alum tie rod (1 degree and alum knuckles)...and its awesome if I have a fast layout down. Its got VERY low ground clearance and a longer wheel base..but once my lanes get to 24 inches its tough to make tight turns.

Hmmm...love the way we all stay pretty much stock except the following list of hop ups...byt seriously the f1 plus k ball and bearings is AWESOME...thats how I started
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Old 2004.12.03, 12:46 AM   #5
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couple of rules for a nub (don't be offended, if you follow you'll save frustration and $$$):
- do your homework. Find out which cars available. i could write it here, but you'll learn a lot during this research.
- find out if there any club in vicinity that races MZ or sell parts. If there is -go there, talk to people. hobbists will share their secrets even if you don't want to listen. where are u from, btw?
-ask questions. don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. ppl on this forum are very helpfull, but your question is kinda wide - you won't see a lot of replies. try to be more specific.
- don't buy a beautiful body. it's not what important.
- decide what you gonna do with your car (options are: bashing, project cars, racing).
- define your budget. It's an expensive hobby. buying a car is only a start. my car has already tvice it's price invested - 5 month.
- buy same type of car with your buddies.
-
-DONT BUY your car tommorow! see #1
good luck and welcome to the hobby you'll enjoy
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Old 2004.12.03, 11:09 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michvin
- buy same type of car with your buddies.
I disagree. Myself, I purchase what "I" want, not what others want. After all, it's my money and my choice, not theirs. I was the only one here with an F1 and an MR-02 for quite a while. Others bought MR-01s, then they purchased MR-02s, and now some have MMTs, OLs, and F1s. A few others bought F1s, then OLs and soon MR-02s. I know one local on this form who only owns OLs--it's his thing and that's what he enjoys.

The only thing about purchasing what others have is that the learning curve may be easier as well as getting parts if that is what the LHS carry or can borrow off of others, which really doesn't matter with internet orders. Sure the downside is that if you are the only one with a particular model, you may not be able to race in a local race class, but I wouldn't let what others own influence my decision since I've seen too many people come and go in this hobby, including Mini-Z-Racers who moved to 1/18th scale only. The flipside is that others may what to try out a different model and purchase one themselves. I've also had people tell me that they will purchase a particular car only if I purchase one since they know that I will at least keep it, run it, and not get rid of it in a few months.
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Old 2004.12.03, 11:16 AM   #7
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TNB,
They look to build the track and race.... so i guess the honest thing to do is to be with same car, or more precisely, same class - not racers vs. MZM.

I purchase what I want too... most of time. My favorite class is 1/8th buggy. Should i get one? No, since i'll be the only one in New York city with such car and it's boring. See what i mean?
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Old 2004.12.03, 11:51 AM   #8
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I ran my F1s against anything on an RCP Track since that's what I prefer over all. That included against people who tried to run MRS4 and Mini-Ts at the LHS.

To please others, the first choice is probably going to be either an MR-01 or an MR-02 since there is a greater selection of bodies. However, I would not purchase an MR-01 simply because others don't want to spend more money to get an MR-02, especially since every person I know here who didn't want to spend the extra money eventually purchased an MR-02 anyway. So much for the class unless both the MR-01 and MR-02 are lumped together.

Regarding 1/8 scale, I purchased an Mugen mbX5 because I wanted one and it was the first one sold here. Now, there are a lot of them here including a few sponsered drivers; however, if I would have made my deceision based on what most people owned at the time, it would have been a lot lesser buggy. And although nobody in this town owns an FG 1/5th Scale F1, I still like the RC and recently had someone ask me about information on where to purchase one two days ago--the larger F1s can be raced here if there are 3 in a class. However, I just don't like the room they take or the traveling back and forth to the track when I can run Zs closer to where I live right now.
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Old 2004.12.03, 12:01 PM   #9
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it all comes down to what you want, here i totaly agree with you
but there are compromises after all - i love F1s, but on our track they are out of competition with MR02, so i got MR02
1/8th buggy... to haul it 2 hours without a real car to race is hard, u'll have to agree on that

and maybe i missexpressed myself saying "car" as other people have. I ment "class".
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Old 2004.12.03, 12:22 PM   #10
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If you would have purchased an F1, someone else might have purchased an F1. Perhaps, not right away but a "true" racer would enjoy an F1. Without a vehicle, I wouldn't own several of my R/Cs since I couldn't haul them to the track or places large enough to run them either--it's rather difficult to drive my 1/4 scale on the street.
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Old 2004.12.03, 12:36 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michvin
it all comes down to what you want, here i totaly agree with you
but there are compromises after all - i love F1s, but on our track they are out of competition with MR02, so i got MR02
1/8th buggy... to haul it 2 hours without a real car to race is hard, u'll have to agree on that

and maybe i missexpressed myself saying "car" as other people have. I ment "class".
I got an f1 at our last GTG michvin if you remember and it is a blast to run! But if you want to race...you need to find out which classes are available.
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Old 2004.12.03, 01:42 PM   #12
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Quote:
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I got an f1 at our last GTG michvin if you remember and it is a blast to run! But if you want to race...you need to find out which classes are available.
also...get what looks like fun to you. thats the key is fun. I jsut got back into the hobby back in september with 1/10 offroad buggy. Iw as going to go gas touring but after checkign out a local track I knew I'd get the most use/fun our of 1/10 electric dirt. And its awesome. When I first went I could barely turn 6 laps....now I'm close to breaking 11 and thats in about 2 months (factory riders are 13-14).

Via looking for a midweek fix for my new addiction I got a Z...my first was an OL..which was great because it runs on carpet and uneven surfaces. Then it was an 01...then another...then an f1 (here is about when I wen to Wallyworld to get a few fatigues for a Sunday project) then an 02 now a monster waver on the way...and I see no end!

Remember its fun and get what looks fun to you but keep in mind what others have if you want to race.
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Old 2004.12.03, 02:06 PM   #13
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Remember its fun and get what looks fun to you but keep in mind what others have if you want to race.
Ditto. A few people I know will race pretty much anything. That means they will also purchase about anything to race just to race even if they have to purchase another car just to race with you. What am I writing about, I did that in Palmdale.
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Old 2004.12.03, 05:13 PM   #14
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Thanks for all the suggestions............

Appreciate the suggestions. I look forward to starting the hobby. I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
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Old 2004.12.03, 05:41 PM   #15
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FYI, links to Tracks and ReadySets:

http://mini-zracer.com/shop/products.php?pid=11

http://mini-zracer.com/shop/products.php?pid=8

If you need 4, email shop@ and we might be able to do a bundle for you.
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