| Radio controlled cars (RC cars) have been around | | | | Unlike the toy grade cars, hobby grade RC cars do |
| since the 1960's, and they've held our attention ever | | | | not share the problem of not having available spare |
| since. This fascination with small radio controlled replica | | | | parts. These hobby grade Remote Control cars also |
| cars is not only beheld by little boys, but by male and | | | | have upgrades ready to be fitted by the owner as |
| female, young and old, too. Just what makes these | | | | well. If a part breaks or fails, it's really no big deal for |
| miniature cars so popular? Well it could be the fact | | | | the hobbyist as the parts are probably sitting on the |
| that this hobby allows you to own any car you can | | | | hobby store shelf. |
| imagine, even if only in facsimile. | | | | The most popular hobby cars can have at their |
| When Remote Control cars first began, they were | | | | disposal hundreds of upgrades from many different |
| made with 2-stroke model airplane engines and were | | | | merchants. Available upgrades may consist of |
| created 1/8 scale. Today, RC cars can be found in a | | | | scale-realistic wheels to anodized aluminum struts. |
| wide array of sizes and body styles. Chances are that | | | | Some hobby grade cars have total conversion kits |
| any car you like will have it's counterpart in Remotely | | | | available that change the vehicle radically. |
| Controlled miniature. | | | | Today's RC cars come in both fuel and electric |
| There two grades of Remote Control cars, toy grade | | | | powered versions. Each has its own advantages and |
| and hobby grade. Toy grade RC cars are those you | | | | disadvantages. The electric Remote Control cars run |
| find in the regular discount stores and electronic | | | | cleaner than their fuel powered counterpart, but the |
| specialty stores. These cars have no spare parts, and | | | | fuel driven Remotely Controlled cars are much faster. |
| once they break or stop working they are | | | | Deciding on which route to go on purchasing either a |
| unserviceable and meant to be discarded. These | | | | toy grade or hobby grade RC car really should |
| Remotely Controlled cars cost $20-25 for the 'basic' | | | | depend on who the car is intended for. Any child would |
| models, with the most expensive units topping out | | | | be happy with one of the $25 low end cars, and so |
| around $150. | | | | would some adults. If the car is intended for |
| Toy grade RC cars usually give you forward and | | | | competition racing, the toy isn't going to cut it. Hobby |
| reverse and left and right steering. Some only let you | | | | level RC cars generally start out at the $350 range, |
| go forward and reverse, with the car turning in one | | | | and that's without accessories. If you're going to start |
| direction while in reverse. Some of the toy grade cars | | | | Junior out at hobby level, you're going to have to whip |
| are just now beginning to have proportional steering, | | | | out the credit card. |
| but this would be in the more expensive models. | | | | |