Beginner basher build
The cheapest complete basher setup is an Arrma Gorgon 2WD RTR with battery and charger included, plus hex and nut drivers, for a total under $250. It runs out of the box and every part is replaceable.
ARRMA RC Truck Gorgon 2 Wheel Drive MT 1/10 RTR (Ready-to-Run
- 1/10
- 2WD
Ready to run with the battery and charger in the box, which is what keeps this build cheap. A 2WD brushed monster truck teaches throttle control, and Arrma sells every part separately.
Budget: Under $250 the button shows the current price
Check price on Amazon Full specsWho it is for: A first RC car for a teen or adult who wants to jump things in the yard without committing $500.
Skip this build if: Anyone who already knows they want 40+ mph. This is a brushed 2WD truck; it is built to learn on, not to set speed records.
The complete list, with budget tiers
Every item you need to run, grouped by job, with a link and a budget tier on every line and a budget for the whole build.
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| The truck | |||
| ARRMA RC Truck Gorgon 2 Wheel Drive MT 1/10 RTR (Ready-to-Run Buy on Amazon · compare options |
Ready to run with the battery and charger in the box, which is what keeps this build cheap. A 2WD brushed monster truck teaches throttle control, and Arrma sells every part separately. | 1 | Under $250 |
| Tools | |||
| MDLHOBBY RC Hex ScrewDriver Set - 4pcs 1.5mm 2.0mm 2.5mm 3.0mm Buy on Amazon · compare options |
Hex drivers in the four sizes RC cars use (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mm). The L-keys in the box strip screws; proper drivers do not. | 1 | Under $25 |
| MDLHOBBY 4pcs Premium RC Hex Nut Drivers Socket Set Buy on Amazon · compare options |
Nut drivers for wheel nuts and locknuts. You will take a wheel off in the first week. | 1 | Under $25 |
| Budget for the whole build | Under $250 | ||
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
Get this build list by email
The whole list with its links and budget tiers, so you can buy it in pieces. One email, no sequence.
What you can skip
- A hobby charger: the included one is slow but works until you buy a second battery.
- Upgraded tires and aluminum parts: break the stock parts first, then replace what actually breaks.
- A brushless system: learn on brushed, then decide whether you want speed or a crawler.
What to upgrade first
- A second battery with the same plug, so a session lasts more than one pack.
- A LiPo-capable balance charger once you move to LiPo packs.
The other builds in this ladder
Frequently asked questions
What does the beginner basher build cost in total?
The beginner basher build on this page comes to under $250, the budget in the table: catalog prices for every item, summed with quantities and rounded up. Prices change often, so the buttons show Amazon's current price. Nothing on the list is optional to get running except the items we mark as upgrades; the "what you can skip" section names the things people commonly buy too early.
Do I need a LiPo charger for a basher?
If the car ships with a USB or wall charger, it works, but it is slow: often two to four hours per pack. A balance charger at 1C charges a typical 5000mAh pack in about an hour and lets you run LiPo packs safely. It is the most useful upgrade after a second battery.
Who should not buy the beginner basher build?
Anyone who already knows they want 40+ mph. This is a brushed 2WD truck; it is built to learn on, not to set speed records.
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.
