Top 10 RC Cars, Trucks & Buggies Under $400

#10 - Associated DR10

Up first is a real versatile platform that wears a drag car suit over a lot of capability and it's the DR10 drag car from Associated.  At the heart of this vehicle is the Team Associated legendary 10th scale platform that with a few part swaps can be converted into a buggy, a truck, or left as a drag car.  From our experience bashing the DR10 out in the street and jumping curbs was all we needed to have a good time and the brushless electronics provided plenty of wheelie pop and power.  A three-position wheelie bar with optional large wheels and lightweight front drag tires are included. For actual drag car competition the DR10 may need to be tuned to the surface but once you do there's no looking back. The price is only $249.99* and it does require a 2S or 3S battery and charger.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the DR10? About 40 mph

#9 - Losi 22S SCT

If what you need most are two cars to enjoy with friends or family then the 1/10 scale Losi 22S short course truck may fit that bill at only $199.99* each is ready-to-run but they do require a battery.  With a budget of $400 you could afford to get two!  Aftermarket short course accessories like tires, wheels, bodies, and more will bolt right up on this truck.  There's also plenty of power upgrades available like brushless motor systems for when you get that need for speed.  You can also do more than bash around the 22S SCT because it is a proper short course truck that is a common race class at many tracks.  So, if you want to get serious about it the SCT would be a great starter race truck for those looking to get their feet wet in RC racing.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the 22S SCT? About 25 mph

#8 - Element RC Sendero

Sometimes the best RC fun is on an adventure through the rougher terrain with an RC trail truck and the Sendero HD from Element RC is a great example of this.  This truck offers realistic utility truck styling with a two-piece body featuring a lexan cab and injected molded cage bed.  New Ocho black beadlock wheels are found on the HD along with officially licensed general Grabber X3 tires.  Of course, the Sendero HD can be customized with different tires, wheels, bumpers, lights, bodies, and more.  For the chassis and suspension, it's just as realistic as the body with real steel frame rails, solid axles with link suspension lock differentials, over driven transmission, and more.  The HD version also receives updated electronics over the previous Sendero with a more powerful servo.  With a metal servo horn and an updated electronic speed controller you'll find the Sendero HD for $375.99,* but it does require a battery pack.  For some other options Element RC offers the Trailrunner 4x4 that's similar but features an independent front suspension, and then there's also the Gatekeeper 4x4 that adopts the use of a sway bar supported rear trailing arms for a more aggressive setup and you can find both of those trucks ready-to-run for under $375.99.*  

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the Sendero HD? About 5 mph

#7 - Kyosho Fazer Mk2

The next car on our list is great in so many ways and prices start at $239.99* and it's the Fazer Mk2 from Kyosho.  Now the Fazer Mk2 chassis is used to make a whole lineup of on-road four-wheel drive cars intended to look scale realistic.  So, the bodies have nice paintwork, trim, and decals with injected molded accessories attached on.  Things like the mirror, windshield wipers, wings, and more are used depending on the body style.  The tires and wheels are also a detail that receives realistic treatment with scaled disc brakes used behind the wheels for performance.  The Fazer Mk2 uses a plastic tub chassis with front and rear gear differentials, a center plastic drive shaft, and oil filled shocks on all four corners.  The electronics are brushed, reliable and work great.  They top out at about 25 miles an hour using a 2 cell LiPo, but we found speeds in excess of 50 miles an hour when we converted an Mk2 to brushless months back, which is probably a little too fast for a car this nice.  With such a simple and easy to use chassis and great looking body options the Fazer Mk2 is a great choice for the collector, first time RC’r or as a gift.  Kyosho also offers the Mk2 platform as an off-road vehicle with the Rage 2.0 and the Mad Van.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the Fazer Mk2? About 25 mph

#6 - Traxxas T-Maxx

For our number six spot we're getting really close to our $400 limit, but this truck is worth it and it's the Traxxas T-Maxx Classic monster truck.  There's a good chance you've heard of the T-Maxx because it was one of the most popular RC monster trucks that ever existed.  Now it's not as popular today but nitro RC monster trucking is still a blast, and the Traxxas T-Maxx Classic delivers it.  Assembled into the truck you'll find a TRX 2.5 racing engine that uses a tuned exhaust and an easy start engine starter.  The truck is also equipped with automatic two-speed transmission that can be switched between forward and reverse with the push of a button on the transmitter.  Alongside that the impressive looks of the T-Maxx are in part thanks to its eight large oil field ultra-shocks which allow for over three and a half inches of suspension travel that's going to give the truck a whole lot of cushion for jumps, speeding through the chunk, and clearance to climb.  You can find the T-Maxx Classic for about $389.99* and that includes the easy start system, but nitro fuel is required.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Nitro
How fast is the T-Maxx Classic? About 40 mphMore Info
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#5 - MST RMX 2.0

If you're into drifting and getting sideways this next car might be just for you and it's the RMX 2.0 from MST.  This 1/10 scale rear wheel driven drifter comes ready-to-run in two different versions.  One with brushed electronics for under $200 and also a brushless version for around $389.99* and both versions have several body styles to choose from.  Underneath those bodies we'll find the RMX 2.0 chassis that uses a simple and rigid construction allowing for huge steering angles from our front tires that are supported by an electronic gyro.  The chassis uses a mid-motor rear wheel driven layout with multiple motor mount positions so you can fine tune the center of gravity of the car to your traction levels.  The RMX 2.0 platform also supports numerous adjustments to fine-tune the vehicle's setup for those that want to take it to the next step.  There are also a ton of accessories like different tires, wheels, bodies, wings, light kits, and more that can be used to customize the RMX 2.0 drifter however you want it.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the RMX 2.0? About 10 mph

#4 - Traxxas Slash VXL

Our next truck is a classic in the RC hobby and it's super capable, super versatile, it's the Traxxas Slash 4x4 VXL for $399.95*.  The Slash 4x4 has been around for years and it's already proven itself as a great short course truck, backyard basher, speed weapon, or whatever else you want to make of it.   With the current truck this is the VXL brushless version, so the truck receives all the modern tech.  Things like the Velineon VXL 3S ESC, the Velineon 3500 brushless motor, and the TQI transmitter with TSM (Traxxas Stability Management).  This VXL brushless system is also compatible with up to 3S LiPo power for top speeds in excess of 60 miles an hour with a gearing change.  For short course styling, the Slash 4x4 VXL is offered in a few different race replica bodies that come fully decorated with licensed logos and graphics for that authentic short course race truck look.  When you're ready to change those looks, the Slash has one of the biggest selections of accessories and hop-ups to choose from to alter the current look or change it all together.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the Slash 4x4 VXL? About 35-60 mph

#3 - Associated Rival

The number three spot is an all-around good basher and fun truck to play with and it's the Rival MT10 from Team Associated.  This 1/10 scale monster truck is four-wheel drive and includes brushless electronics and better yet the combo version includes a two-cell LiPo battery and battery charger all for $399.99.*  If you don't need the battery combo the MT10 is available for about $339.99.*  Both trucks offer the same in terms of performance styling and the 3S capable electronics with that Reedy 3300kv 4-pole motor.  The truck also uses a front, center, and rear gear differential, threaded oil filled shocks, and big aggressive monster tires to better match our Rival monster truck styling.  The MT10 also features LED lighting in the bumpers to help with those night bash sessions and then there's a wheelie bar in the back that's adjustable.  The MT10 is of course very customizable with tons of different bodies and tire options available.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the Rival MT10? About 30 mph

#2 - Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0

If what you crave most is speed, then the car in our number two spot is for you and it's the 4-Tec 2.0 VXL from Traxxas.  This all-wheel drive one tenth scale sedan from Traxxas comes fully ready-to-run for $379.95,* but it does not include a body, so you have to pick your own.  The meat and potatoes of this car is the 4-Tec 2.0 chassis, and it offers a modular interlocking design that's easy to work on while staying rigid and maintaining a low center of gravity.  Added to that are VXL rated high speed tires with tuned suspension, sealed differentials, and brushless electronics that help the 4-Tec 2.0 achieve speeds of 70 miles an hour, which is quite the thrill ride for an out of the box ready-to-run car.  Because this is the VXL version it includes the TQI transmitter with TSM and then the car uses the Velineon VXL 3S ESC and the 3500kv Velineon motor which is about a 10 turn.  That's why the 4-Tec 2.0 VXL is best suited for experienced drivers thrill seekers and speed runners.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the 4-Tec 2.0 VXL? About 35-70 mph

#1 - Arrma Big Rock

Of all the cars to spend $400 on, the Big Rock 3S BLX from Arrma is a great way to do it.  For starters this four-wheel drive monster truck is 1/10 scale but it's a bit larger than that with an 1/8 scale feel to it, making it a bit more capable and stable in the rough, thanks in part to how wide and low the vehicle sits.  The stance of this truck is one to one, meaning it's as wide as it is long which orients it towards high-speed performance, stability, and rough terrain, allowing it to be pushed a little harder and driven a little bit more aggressively while staying within that fine line of control.  Because of this the Big Rock is tons of fun to drive, bash, wheelie, and jump.   With all plastic construction it takes a good beating.  Doing it in its current V3 version the Big Rock now uses Spektrum electronics for a much-needed improvement.   You'll find this update across the board with all the 3S BLX vehicles like the Typhon buggy, Senton short course truck, and Granite monster truck, which is just like the Big Rock but uses a shorter chassis.  All of these vehicles are great alternatives, and you can find them and the Big Rock 3S BLX for about $339.99* and they do require a battery pack.

Details
Scale: 1/10
Power Type: Electric
How fast is the Big Rock? About 50 mph