Why Is Traxxas So Expensive?

RC car racing as a whole can be quite an expensive hobby. A large number of first-time racers will be and have been shocked by the prices of RC cars when they go to buy their first one. Traxxas cars particularly are quite expensive especially when compared to a generic brand.

As a matter of fact, Traxxas cars are one of the most expensive on the RC car market, with their most expensive models running up to almost $1,000! 

Traxxas RC cars are expensive because they offer great quality vehicles as well as great customer service. Since they have been around for multiple decades they are also well trusted which means they can charge a premium price. 

Just like people will end up paying quite a bit more for an Apple product than they will for a generic phone or computer the same is true with Traxxas. Many RC enthusiasts have bought Traxxas for many years and will continue to do so in the future so Traxxas doesn’t have to compete as much on price. 

That isn’t to say that some of Traxxas’ models aren’t affordable as there are many of them that can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. However when you compare that to the many generic models that are on the market for under $100 (such as these) then even their cheapest models certainly appear to be really expensive. 

The major reason RC cars in general are expensive is that the internal components used to produce the car are really quite expensive. Plus RC cars are typically not produced in giant volume like some other items so there is increased production cost as well. 

While it is possible to get a really cheap RC car for less than $50, you can be sure that these really cheap ones won’t last a long time and you will likely end up with a dead RC sooner rather than later. For instance, someone bought my 5 year old son a cheap RC car for his last birthday.

He loved driving it around the house and decided he wanted to take it down the stairs where it promptly broke. 

Traxxas RC cars can handle that kind of abuse and not even flinch while cheaper generics will break super fast. Check out the video below to see how durable Traxxas’ models really are. 

If you want something that’s going to be really durable, you honestly need to buy a more expensive RC model. These more expensive models have been produced with more expensive and sturdier components and are designed to take far more of a beating while racing (or going down the stairs)!

To read some reviews about specific Traxxas models you can find those by clicking here. 

So, why are Traxxas RC cars so expensive?

The simple reason that RC cars from Traxxas are so expensive is that they spend a lot of money producing most of their vehicles. Traxxas RC cars are actually the most durable cars on the RC market, and it’s easy to see why they are very expensive.  

Traxxas produces high-quality ready-to-run vehicles that offer some of the best speeds and performance around. Achieving the top quality they offer could only be possible by using premium internal components, which cost a lot more money than the parts the cheaper models use. 

But, if you’re on a budget and hoping to get cheaper Traxxas options, there are some tips that could help you get something nice and affordable as well. I will cover some of those tips to try and save some money below. 

How to Get an RC Car Without Emptying Your Bank Account

Even though it may seem like getting a decent car on a low budget is impossible, there are ways that you can get your dream RC without having to break the bank;

Consider getting a used model

Getting a used Traxxas model may be one of the best and easiest ways to get a decent RC car without going bankrupt. If the RC car still looks and runs quite good and does not have very much wear and tear, you should consider buying it. 

Plus, if you’re new to RC car racing, getting a used model is also a good idea. This way, you can bash all you want without worrying that it’s your new expensive RC car. 

If you go on some RC forums online, you will find it very easy to get something decent for an affordable price. You can also keep an eye out for used models at yard sales, Craigslist, etc.

Take advantage of the holiday season

Buying an RC vehicle during the holiday season is one other great way to get something nice for a way more affordable price. The period between Black Friday and Christmas is the time to look out for the best deals. Almost all brands and companies offer some discount deals during these periods, and the Traxxas company is no different. 

Getting a reasonable 1/10 scale Traxxas model at a discount is a strong possibility at this time of the year. Spring break is another time of the year when you can get really good discounts on some items.

RC cars with brushed RC motors are cheaper

If you are on a budget, an RC car with a brushed motor might be a good idea for you. Brushed motors are a lot less expensive than brushless motors, which a lot of more expensive cars come with. Even though brushed motors are much slower, speed is probably the price you have to pay to get it at such an affordable rate. 

However, brushed motors actually deliver good performance, and any beginner would be okay with them. You can also upgrade to a brushless motor in the future when you choose/have the money.

What’s the best Traxxas car for someone on a budget? 

There are a few different models available for you to choose from when you decide to buy a Traxxas RC car but if you are looking to get a new model for as cheap as possible then there is really only one option that most people choose. 

The Traxxas Slash 

If you are on a budget and would love to get a Traxxas car, the Traxxas Slash is the best you can get. As a matter of fact, in my opinion it is the overall best RC car for someone on a budget. 

This RC car is a very reliable one with high performance and it definitely delivers solid value for your money. Every beginner racer will surely love this model. This is supposed to be a short-course racer, but it makes an excellent choice for someone who wants to just bash in the neighborhood park as well. 

The cheapest Slash model will typically only be 2WD and have a brushed motor but you can easily upgrade the Slash to your liking as well.

One thing that anyone would love about this truck is its Titan 12 Turn 550 motor, which the enthusiast community has praised for providing a lot of torque and all of this at such an affordable price. Apart from the fact that the engine of this car is superb, you can also easily modify and tune its motor. The truck provides just enough accessibility and modding potential and can give you speeds more than 30mph. 

For the price, this is a really good plus; you can always upgrade to a brushless motor to get more speed if you choose. 

What’s more? This car also offers really great suspension. It provides a very good suspension setup for the price and can handle impacts and bumps almost perfectly without delivering less on performance when racing off-road. For a long time, suspensions have been quite a challenge with Traxxas, but the Slash gets it just right. In addition, the stock shocks of the Slash can be replaced or improved in case you’re thinking of making modifications in the future.

Another reason why this is such an excellent option is the fact that it is reliable. More than just the fact that the Traxxas Slash is affordable, it is also one car you can be sure will stay with you for a good amount of time. Like many Traxxas vehicles, this car is strong and durable.

What Is The Most Expensive Traxxas Car?  

Since we are talking about Traxxas RC cars, you may be curious as to what the most expensive one is. You don’t have to have the most expensive toy car to have fun, but let’s take a look at which one it is anyway. 

Some Traxxas cars are more than just a toy. They are expertly designed and  a lot of work goes into making them. 

The most expensive Traxxas RC car currently is the Traxxas Maxx 1:8 4WD TQi RTR RnR which costs $1,467.33.

The most expensive RC car of all time is the Freefly Tero which costs $5500. This RC car is used to film chase scenes in movies so it isn’t your traditional RC car that you would use in your backyard. 

The Freefly Tero holds a camera to capture action scenes that would be risky for a human to be involved in. It can be controlled from afar and is perfect for those crazy car chases. 

Since it is so craftily made, you can understand why it is the most expensive.

The XB Hornet Black buggy, the Losi 5Ive-T 2.0, the Kraken Vekta.5, the Traxxas XO-1, and the  AUTOart 1/18 Mad Max2 – The Road Warrior Interceptor are among the other most expensive RC cars out there. 

Their creator went all out in order to make these the speediest racing machines. That is why they cost so much.

Lets not forget about the good old fashioned diecast cars. Some can get really pricey too, especially one made with gold! 

The most expensive diecast toy car, The Lamborghini Aventador Gold, is worth $7.5 million dollars. More of the most expensive diecast cars can be found here. 

Traxxas has been making RC cars for over thirty years and pride themselves on making the best. The Traxxas Rustler is water resistant so you don’t have to worry about water damage while running it unless you accidentally drive it into a lake. 

You can enjoy racing the vehicle over snow and water for hours of outdoor RC fun. 

Conclusion

So, the thing is, what’s the point of buying a cheap generic vehicle when you can actually have something decent for a fair amount?

No doubt, Traxxas vehicles are generally very expensive, but there are ways to get a decent car without having to break the bank. Plus, the Traxxas Slash is a choice you don’t want to let go of if you’re on a budget. 

Reliability is one of the most important factors to look out for when shopping for an RC car, and the Traxxas Slash offers you this. Not to mention its excellent performance and speed.