Review: Tamiya TL-01

[peedee]

When i first started Rc carin i noticed this beast of a car in the window of my lhs, and thought i mus have it, therefore 20 minutes later out i go with my new purchase…

What You Get In the Box: When u open the box if u havent built a kit b4 you may be overwealmed with the amount of parts needing construction, although tamiya is said to have the best kit for beginers, it has all parts marked clearly to corresponed with the highly detailed manual.

Building: Building of this model was a breeze very straight forward, th only fault i could find in the manual was when installing the propelor shaft u may notice it has a pic of a tube of sumthing, and it says that u need glue for construction, therefore you assume this means glue, it actually stands for the grease included.

Recquired Items: This kit requires 2-channel radio control unit, a 7.2v battery, and a charger for 6-7 cells, 7.2v. As well as some Tamiya Color paint for painting the body.

Not Recquired But Recommended: I learnt the hard way by building the entire kit with the included bushings, i suggest u get your hands on a set of ball bearings to install from the beginning, as well as this i learnt that the stock steering linkage was really sloppy, i swapped these out for some Tie rods, problem solved.

For The Track: If you decide to race, i believe it is necessary to have a esc (electronic speed controller), as well optional speed tuned gears, for faster gearing, if you want smooth steering you may like to buy yourself some Damper Sets, as the stock shocks are like poggo sticks.

The Verdict: I have ha nothing but enjoyment from my TL-01 highly recommended for the beginner at mind, but racer at heart, although its slow outa the box with about $180.00 in hop ups mentioned you have urself a race wourthy car. With these hop ups the tl-01 was radared at roughly 50kph kph with a Trinity 19turn spec motor and mentioned hop ups…my advice buy one….

For More Info: visit: http://www.tamiyausa.com, http://www.rcmart.com, http://www.towerhobbies.com, or you Local Hobby Store

Edited by – peedee on 22 December 2003 01:43:21

[oldtamiyaphile]

Buy one if you can’t afford a TA04 or better still wait TB-02. It’s almost a TC3.

[Camshaft]

Isn’t the Wild Willy 2 built on a modified TL-O1 chassis? I’m thinking abot getting the SVT Cobra Mustang kit, I wouldn’t mind a nice, cheap on-road car. Thanks for your review, it was quite a bit helpful.

[peedee]

OTP, even better if u can fork out another 50bucks you get yourself a TA04-R chassis whic is better again, order from rcmart and they through in a free motor…the ta04 is a good car it keeps up with the tc3’s at the track, the best car at our track is a XRAY EVO2 Freedom of Coice, another popular car is the schumacher mission, but for cheap, no maintanence, tough, good car, the tl-01 is a good bet

[PandaBear]

Quote:

Isn’t the Wild Willy 2 built on a modified TL-O1 chassis?

No, the WW2’s “WR-02” chassis is unique for that kit.

It may share one or 2 small parts with the TL01, but then
same parts would also be used on FF02, TB01, M03, M04 etc.

btw, imho local Oz street prices are usually approx:-

TL01: A$220-300 full chassis complete with body, MSC & 540 motor

TA04S: A$250-350 “chassis kit”, no body/motor/MSC.

TA04R: A$450-500 with the NSX2002 body, no motor.
(“R” = lotsa hopups)

TA04-TRF A$650 chassis kit only.

[Camshaft]

Ah, thank you for clearing that up for me.

[peedee]

lol panda id hate to ask the cost of the surikarn 3 from a australian lhs itd be like 1000.00 chassis only

[oldtamiyaphile]

The WR-02 uses The same gearbox as the Wild Dagger, a modified TL-01 suspension, and a unique chassis.

I love mine.

[Camshaft]

I nearly purchased a WW2, I almost wish I did.

[peedee]

hey OTP just how many tamiya models do u have

[PandaBear]

Quote:

lol panda id hate to ask the cost of the surikarn 3 from a australian lhs itd be like 1000.00 chassis only

Surprisingly… 🙂 no.

The Surikarn Limited is a niche/specialist car, not meant for
‘everyone’ so they mainly sell that to the serious racers only.
But even a newbie can say that’s not a cheap car, you can tell where
the manufacturing $$$ has been spent on – it just looks spectacular.

When they first came out, our LHS had them for ~A$720 and today
I think they’ve got 1 or 2 left – betcha if you’re really nice
to the shopkeep he might let you buy it for $650. :smiley2:
(eek, btw that’s COST price!)

Its a darned good deal, considering the original EvoIII (#58299)
came out at $650 and they sold out in a shot. Damned, even *I*
missed out on that one (sob!). blackeye: And to spec that up to SL-spec
(minus the red) would cost easily another $3-400 in parts.

But that would probably be an unnecesarily exercise… 😀

[peedee]

yea, its just i assumed as the tmaxx is 399.99 and the surikarn is 399 that they would be the same, i would prolly rather like a xray evo2 or a schumacher though

have u seen the prototype hpi pro4 it looks a beast

[PandaBear]

Quote:

yea, its just i assumed as the tmaxx is 399.99 and the surikarn is 399 that they would be the same, i would prolly rather like a xray evo2 or a schumacher though

If you’re going by Tamiya America’s pricing, yeah they don’t
do anyone any favours over there. They keep everything a
premium-priced product over there. :dead:

Dropped in at LHS on w/e and they had some super special on
the Xray Raycer… wow $399??! But Xray still not very popular
at the local tracks, its not as big as up in Sydney ‘cos the
same shop here promotes the Schuey Mission big time, and
imho gives them away for $299 (std) & $499 (carbon).

Corally has a decent following in Melbourne too.

Quote:

have u seen the prototype hpi pro4 it looks a beast

HPI Pro4 pix have been previewed so long ago, if/when it
actually reaches the track, its gunna be an anticlimax! :p

Well?? 😀

Mission’s new Mi2 looks pretty good too and pricing will be
acceptable… but unfortunately they are paid for in GBP not USD
so the AUD’s improvement doesn’t help it as much.

[peedee]

i gotta get myself a pro4, i am starting racing at chargers rc next year, ne one else race there, yeronga, and meakin park…the schumacher are extremely popular in brisbane, going to sydney friday, check out the rc scene hopefully

[Camshaft]

Quote:

If you’re going by Tamiya America’s pricing, yeah they don’t
do anyone any favours over there. They keep everything a
premium-priced product over there. :dead:

Amen to that! In some cases it’s cheaper to import stuff from other countries!

[Author]

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