The RC car shopping list
Six complete builds on one page: three for bashing and three for crawling, from about $181 to about $1,773. Every line is linked and priced, and each table ends in a real total.
ARRMA RC Truck Gorgon 2 Wheel Drive MT 1/10 RTR (Ready-to-Run
- 1/10
- 2WD
The beginner basher: ready to run with battery and charger, plus the two driver sets.
$189.99 listed price, changes often
Check price on Amazon Full specsBeginner basher build
A first RC car for a teen or adult who wants to jump things in the yard without committing $500.
| Item | Qty | Price | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The truck | |||
| ARRMA RC Truck Gorgon 2 Wheel Drive MT 1/10 RTR (Ready-to-Run Buy on Amazon |
1 | $189.99 | $189.99 |
| Tools | |||
| MDLHOBBY RC Hex ScrewDriver Set - 4pcs 1.5mm 2.0mm 2.5mm 3.0mm Buy on Amazon |
1 | $12.99 | $12.99 |
| MDLHOBBY 4pcs Premium RC Hex Nut Drivers Socket Set Buy on Amazon |
1 | $15.59 | $15.59 |
| Total | $218.57 | ||
Intermediate basher build
Someone who knows they like RC and wants 40 mph-class bashing without buying twice.
| Item | Qty | Price | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The truck | |||
| ARRMA 1/10 Granite 4X4 223S BLX BRUSHLESS RC Monster Truck RTR Buy on Amazon |
1 | $339.11 | $339.11 |
| Power | |||
| HOOVO 3S 11.1V Lipo Battery 5200mAh 80C HardCase Battery Buy on Amazon |
2 | $32.99 | $65.98 |
| ISDT Lipo Battery Balance Charger 608AC - 8A/200W AC/DC Smart Buy on Amazon |
1 | $64.50 | $64.50 |
| Battery safety | |||
| Zeee Fireproof Explosionproof Lipo Bag Battery Storage(8.46 x Buy on Amazon |
1 | $13.49 | $13.49 |
| Aoicrie Lipo Battery Voltage Checker and Alarm Buy on Amazon |
1 | $6.59 | $6.59 |
| Tools and care | |||
| HobbyPark 6 in 1 RC Hex Driver Screwdriver Set 1.5mm 2.0mm Buy on Amazon |
1 | $24.97 | $24.97 |
| Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun 774 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $16.99 | $16.99 |
| Hobbypark Aluminum RC Car Work Stand Repair Workstation 360 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $14.97 | $14.97 |
| Total | $546.60 | ||
Expert basher build
Experienced drivers with open space who want the biggest, toughest monster truck in the Traxxas line.
| Item | Qty | Price | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The truck | |||
| Traxxas X-Maxx 8s Monster Truck (Red) Buy on Amazon |
1 | $1199.95 | $1199.95 |
| Power | |||
| OVONIC 4S LiPo Battery 6500mAh 14.8V 130C RC Battery with XT60 Buy on Amazon |
2 | $78.99 | $157.98 |
| ISDT K4 Lipo Battery Balance Charger Discharger 1-8S AC 400W DC Buy on Amazon |
1 | $247.00 | $247.00 |
| Battery safety | |||
| Zeee Lipo Battery Bag Fireproof (14.17 * 7.87 * 9.84in) - Large Buy on Amazon |
1 | $21.59 | $21.59 |
| RC Cellmeter 8 Digital Battery Capacity Checker Controller Buy on Amazon |
1 | $12.34 | $12.34 |
| Tools and care | |||
| Traxxas Tool Set with Pouch (TRX3415) Buy on Amazon |
1 | $32.94 | $32.94 |
| Traxxas 8796 Blue Aluminum 1/10-1/8 Scale RC Car Stand Buy on Amazon |
1 | $39.95 | $39.95 |
| Klein Tools IR1 Infrared Thermometer with Targeting Laser Buy on Amazon |
1 | $29.98 | $29.98 |
| Traxxas 5038X Shock Oil Set 6 Includes 20-80 wt Premium Shock Buy on Amazon |
1 | $49.95 | $49.95 |
| Total | $1791.68 | ||
Beginner crawler build
Anyone who wants to try crawling cheaply, including kids and apartment dwellers.
| Item | Qty | Price | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The crawler | |||
| Axial RC Truck 1/24 SCX24 1971 Chevrolet C10 4WD Truck RTR Buy on Amazon |
1 | $149.99 | $149.99 |
| Tools | |||
| MDLHOBBY 4.26 Inch Mini 7pcs Micro RC Hex Nut Screwdriver Set Buy on Amazon |
1 | $19.99 | $19.99 |
| MDLHOBBY Mini RC Car Work Stand Buy on Amazon |
1 | $10.99 | $10.99 |
| Total | $180.97 | ||
Intermediate crawler build
Someone ready for real outdoor trails and rock, who wants a platform that grows with upgrades.
| Item | Qty | Price | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The crawler | |||
| Traxxas TRX-4 Sport 1/10 Scale 4X4 Crawler (Gray) Buy on Amazon |
1 | $349.95 | $349.95 |
| Power | |||
| HOOVO 7.4V 70C 6200mAh 2S Lipo Battery Hard Case with Tracxas Buy on Amazon |
1 | $39.70 | $39.70 |
| ISDT Lipo Battery Balance Charger 608AC - 8A/200W AC/DC Smart Buy on Amazon |
1 | $64.50 | $64.50 |
| Battery safety | |||
| Zeee Fireproof Explosionproof Lipo Bag Battery Storage(8.46 x Buy on Amazon |
1 | $13.49 | $13.49 |
| Aoicrie Lipo Battery Voltage Checker and Alarm Buy on Amazon |
1 | $6.59 | $6.59 |
| Grip and tools | |||
| INJORA S5 118 * 42mm 1.9" King Trekker Tires for 1/10 RC Crawler Buy on Amazon |
1 | $26.99 | $26.99 |
| INJORA 7PCS 0.9 1.27 1.3 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0mm HSS Steel Hex Buy on Amazon |
1 | $21.99 | $21.99 |
| INJORA Aluminum RC Car Stand with Shock Holder for Axial SCX10 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $22.99 | $22.99 |
| Total | $546.20 | ||
Expert crawler build
Experienced crawlers who want the smoothest low-speed control and are comfortable swapping a motor and ESC.
| Item | Qty | Price | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The crawler | |||
| Axial 1/10 SCX10 III Jeep CJ-7 4X4 RTR Brushed RC Rock Crawler Buy on Amazon |
1 | $499.99 | $499.99 |
| Spektrum Firma 60A Brushless Smart ESC / 2100Kv Sensored Motor Buy on Amazon |
1 | $199.99 | $199.99 |
| Power | |||
| OVONIC 2S LiPo Battery 7200mAh 7.4V 130C RC Battery with XT60 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $49.99 | $49.99 |
| ISDT K2 AIR Lipo Battery Balance Charger Discharger 1-6S AC Buy on Amazon |
1 | $117.50 | $117.50 |
| Battery safety | |||
| Zeee Lipo Safe Bag Battery Fireproof - 10 Cell Buy on Amazon |
1 | $19.54 | $19.54 |
| RC Cellmeter 8 Digital Battery Capacity Checker Controller Buy on Amazon |
1 | $12.34 | $12.34 |
| Grip and tools | |||
| INJORA S5 122 * 42mm 1.9" Kraken Claw Mud Terrain Tire for 1/10 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $26.99 | $26.99 |
| HobbyPark Hex Driver Set Allen Screwdriver Kit Titanium Buy on Amazon |
1 | $29.97 | $29.97 |
| INJORA Aluminum RC Car Stand with Shock Holder for Axial SCX10 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $22.99 | $22.99 |
| Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun 774 Buy on Amazon |
1 | $16.99 | $16.99 |
| Total | $996.29 | ||
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RCCarCalc is researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures come from published manufacturer specifications, listings and verified owner reports, not hands-on testing. Speeds are theoretical or as listed; real results depend on gearing, battery, tires and terrain. See how we research.