The Pros and Cons to Consider When Starting a Nitro Remote Control Car Hobby

Among remote control car enthusiasts, gasoline remote control cars have been gaining popularity now, being a more advanced version of remote control cars compared to the simpler ones that work on batteries. More than just complexity considerations over basic remote control cars, gasoline remote control cars do have more advantages than initially thought. However, they also have disadvantages that enthusiasts and hobbyists need to pay attention to.  

THE PROS

Speed. One of the best things about gasoline remote control cars is its speed. Nitro remote control cars are said to operate like full-sized fuel vehicles, making use of a two stroke engine rather than an electric motor, allowing the cars to achieve higher top speeds than electric remote control cars. This is why nitro remote control cars are generally faster than electric remote control cars. Nitro remote control cars can go as fast as 50-60 mph, nearly as fast as 1/8 gasoline cars that can run between 70 and 80mph in race competitions. While gasoline remote control cars have more power, gasoline remote control cars achieve higher top end speeds than gasoline remote control cars and most electric remote control cars.

More Run Time. Because nitro remote control cars are powered by fuel that can run for hours depending on size, engine type and car model, nitro remote control cars do not need constant recharging as electric remote control cars do. This allows the cars to maintain top speeds for the most part of competitive races with minimal time only for refuelling.

Economy. Depending on complexity of models, nitro remote control cars are generally more expensive than electric cars. However, gasoline-powered remote control cars surely cost much more than both electric and nitro remote control cars, ranging from $800-$3,000. Further, while nitro, in comparison to gasoline, is said to be more expensive on a gallon-to-gallon basis, nitro is considered a more efficient fuel, allowing a nitro remote control car to run longer with the same amount of fuel.

THE CONS

Maintenance. If you think about getting a nitro remote control car, maintenance could be a primary consideration in your decision as it could be costly over the long run. Maintenance such cleaning of filters and chassis as well as replacement of parts and lubrication, even the nitro motors when necessary can both be frustrating and costly. In addition, nitro remote control cars are said to suffer more easily from mechanical wear and tear than either electric or gasoline remote control cars for the reason that they are most likely subject to be driven for long periods of time at relatively higher speed and greater weight than their counterparts.  All this makes nitro remote control cars by nature quite costly to maintain.

All in all, before starting a remote control car hobby, one needs to think about the advantages and disadvantages of the type of car engine that you will use for your remote control car. There are other considerations that go beyond the obsession for originality or winning racing competitions. There are one-time costs, maintenance costs that go on over periods of time, and other costs that may not be initially apparent at purchase such as insurance and other taxes. At the end of the day, a decision should really boil down to one’s personal preferences and budget.