The RC car shopping list
Six complete builds on one page: three for bashing and three for crawling, from under $200 to under $2,500. Every line is linked with a budget tier, and each table ends in a budget for the whole build.
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.
Budget: Under $250 the button shows the current price
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 | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The truck | ||
| ARRMA RC Truck Gorgon 2 Wheel Drive MT 1/10 RTR (Ready-to-Run Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $250 |
| Tools | ||
| MDLHOBBY RC Hex ScrewDriver Set - 4pcs 1.5mm 2.0mm 2.5mm 3.0mm Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| MDLHOBBY 4pcs Premium RC Hex Nut Drivers Socket Set Buy on Amazon |
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.
Intermediate basher build
Someone who knows they like RC and wants 40 mph-class bashing without buying twice.
| Item | Qty | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The truck | ||
| ARRMA 1/10 Granite 4X4 223S BLX BRUSHLESS RC Monster Truck RTR Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $500 |
| Power | ||
| HOOVO 3S 11.1V Lipo Battery 5200mAh 80C HardCase Battery Buy on Amazon |
2 | Under $50 each |
| ISDT Lipo Battery Balance Charger 608AC - 8A/200W AC/DC Smart Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $100 |
| Battery safety | ||
| Zeee Fireproof Explosionproof Lipo Bag Battery Storage(8.46 x Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Aoicrie Lipo Battery Voltage Checker and Alarm Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Tools and care | ||
| HobbyPark 6 in 1 RC Hex Driver Screwdriver Set 1.5mm 2.0mm Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun 774 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Hobbypark Aluminum RC Car Work Stand Repair Workstation 360 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Budget for the whole build | Under $600 | |
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
Expert basher build
Experienced drivers with open space who want the biggest, toughest monster truck in the Traxxas line.
| Item | Qty | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The truck | ||
| Traxxas X-Maxx Ultimate 8s 4X4 Extreme Monster Truck (Blue) Buy on Amazon |
1 | $1,500+ |
| Power | ||
| OVONIC 4S LiPo Battery 6500mAh 14.8V 130C RC Battery with XT60 Buy on Amazon |
2 | Under $100 each |
| ISDT K4 Lipo Battery Balance Charger Discharger 1-8S AC 400W DC Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $250 |
| Battery safety | ||
| Zeee Lipo Battery Bag Fireproof (14.17 * 7.87 * 9.84in) - Large Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| RC Cellmeter 8 Digital Battery Capacity Checker Controller Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Tools and care | ||
| Traxxas Tool Set with Pouch (TRX3415) Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| Traxxas 8796 Blue Aluminum 1/10-1/8 Scale RC Car Stand Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| Klein Tools IR1 Infrared Thermometer with Targeting Laser Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| Traxxas 5038X Shock Oil Set 6 Includes 20-80 wt Premium Shock Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| Budget for the whole build | Under $2,500 | |
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
Beginner crawler build
Anyone who wants to try crawling cheaply, including kids and apartment dwellers.
| Item | Qty | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The crawler | ||
| Axial RC Truck 1/24 SCX24 1971 Chevrolet C10 4WD Truck RTR Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $250 |
| Tools | ||
| MDLHOBBY 4.26 Inch Mini 7pcs Micro RC Hex Nut Screwdriver Set Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| MDLHOBBY Mini RC Car Work Stand Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Budget for the whole build | Under $200 | |
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
Intermediate crawler build
Someone ready for real outdoor trails and rock, who wants a platform that grows with upgrades.
| Item | Qty | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The crawler | ||
| Traxxas TRX-4 Sport 1/10 Scale 4X4 Crawler (Gray) Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $500 |
| Power | ||
| HOOVO 7.4V 70C 6200mAh 2S Lipo Battery Hard Case with Tracxas Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| ISDT Lipo Battery Balance Charger 608AC - 8A/200W AC/DC Smart Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $100 |
| Battery safety | ||
| Zeee Fireproof Explosionproof Lipo Bag Battery Storage(8.46 x Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Aoicrie Lipo Battery Voltage Checker and Alarm Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Grip and tools | ||
| INJORA S5 118 * 42mm 1.9" King Trekker Tires for 1/10 RC Crawler Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| INJORA 7PCS 0.9 1.27 1.3 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0mm HSS Steel Hex Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| INJORA Aluminum RC Car Stand with Shock Holder for Axial SCX10 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Budget for the whole build | Under $600 | |
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
Expert crawler build
Experienced crawlers who want the smoothest low-speed control and are comfortable swapping a motor and ESC.
| Item | Qty | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| The crawler | ||
| Axial 1/10 SCX10 III Jeep CJ-7 4X4 RTR Brushed RC Rock Crawler Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $500 |
| Spektrum Firma 60A Brushless Smart ESC / 2100Kv Sensored Motor Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $250 |
| Power | ||
| OVONIC 2S LiPo Battery 7200mAh 7.4V 130C RC Battery with XT60 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| ISDT K2 AIR Lipo Battery Balance Charger Discharger 1-6S AC Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $250 |
| Battery safety | ||
| Zeee Lipo Safe Bag Battery Fireproof - 10 Cell Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| RC Cellmeter 8 Digital Battery Capacity Checker Controller Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Grip and tools | ||
| INJORA S5 122 * 42mm 1.9" Kraken Claw Mud Terrain Tire for 1/10 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| HobbyPark Hex Driver Set Allen Screwdriver Kit Titanium Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $50 |
| INJORA Aluminum RC Car Stand with Shock Holder for Axial SCX10 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun 774 Buy on Amazon |
1 | Under $25 |
| Budget for the whole build | Under $1,000 | |
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
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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.
