The Best RC Cars EVER Made - Top 10 

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if it were my list, Id have the Grasshopper/Hornet at number one. It represents the start of the plastic kit dominance and took the little RC hobby to the masses. Its not only iconic, but both variants are still in production. Its something that can be built by all ages, can take on any terrain, and its great fun to drive. Talking about iconic RC cars without talking about the Grasshopper is like leaving Black Sabbath out of the history of metal.

Honorable mention the Tamiya Lunch Box. I have many r/c's and it's always my go to for how much fun it is.

100% agree with you about the WLtoys 140001. It’s literally the car that got me into the hobby. Let’s face it, the cost of entry into this hobby is steep. The 140001 gives you a proper taste of what the hobby is about for $115. Thanks for the awesome list

Really surprised the OG T-Maxx wasn't in here. If it wasn't for that I can't imagine RC monster trucks ever becoming what they have. Not to mention the ridiculous T-Maxx aftermarket gave rise to monster truck class racing, then the Revo, and is the direct cause of truggy racing. I still remember how I fantasized about one of the HARDCORE TITANIUM T-Maxx builds. I think they went for $2200 back in 03 or so.

I'm glad you added a budget RC to the list for those with thinner wallets 😂 My 144001 is loads of fun! I've gone up to the 12th scale WL buggies now but always bring my 144001 with me when I go out to run my cars. Can't wait to start upgrading it!

That has to be tough coming up with that list. So many choices and so many great RC’s to choose from. Maybe in the future you can create a top 10 list for each category, like Top 10 crawlers, Top 10 bashers, Top 10 Short Corse, etc. I know it would be a lot of work, but you have some great reviews and great experiences!

Interesting list. I would've liked to see the FG Marder, HPI Baja, Losi 5ive T and HPI Savage in there somewhere. But I can understand how difficult it would be to do a top 10 without it becoming a top 20 then 50 then 100 list 😂

So many great cars. Let’s not forget the Traxxas Slash

Great list Phil. I would replace the 140001 with the the LC Racing EMB-1 if it were my list. Without the EMB-1 there wouldn't be all the clones of it that people love.

This an excellent list. Choosing cars that have had influence over the cars that followed were great choices. There are some people that will look at this video and learn about cars/trucks they weren't aware of.

Love the videos. I tend to think the Slash should have made this list ... it's bang for the buck, durability, reliability, and its invention of a category of racing. That seems pretty worthy. :)

Great selection & nice to see Team Associated getting some credit. I'd like to add the Traxxas UDR as a game changer if one can afford the mods to make it as unbelievable as it can be. But as a good list of greats, you did well. And while not a fan of WPL, they made others work harder & that's a good thing for all of us :)

Thank you for including the WL Toys 144001. I own one and converted it to brushless, but kept the motor kv low at 3300kv. I get around 65km/h top speed on 2s and thats plenty fast to me and always have a blast driving it. I'm a simple guy, you know 😊

Personally, my top ten (not in order) are probably the xmaxx, tmaxx, Kraton 6s, grasshopper, rc10, ax1, infraction, inferno, savage X/xl/octane/25, scx24, and lmt

Would loved to have seen a Mardave mini on there. The car that got so many people into rc racing. I love the simplicity and performance of the mini and it's still in production today. Over 50 years after its release. I would also argue that the Marauder and the Meteor craved a path for many others to follow.

This is a very well-reasoned list.

Nice list. I agree with you on a few here. Definitely the wr8, the infraction (much as I'm not an Arrma fan) and the wltoys. Sad not to see any kyoshos in there, and definitely the HPI savage nitro should have a spot for me. But thanks for making the clip, lots of food for thought.

Lots of good choices in there! I’d also like to see you do a video on the “most revolutionary”. Some of the cars in this video would make that list as well, but there were a number of old school paradigm-shifting “first of their kind” cars that really changed the landscape upon release.

I just learned a book of info that I was looking for. I’m new to the hobby. Thanks bro

I'd have had the Tamiya Hornet/Grasshopper on the list. Ok ok, stop laughing, my reason is simple. For a quite a long time basically everybody had a Hornet or Grasshopper, and this brought people into the hobby. Good list btw and good vid. I really should run my Infraction more....

My one and only forray into this hobby involved an HPI Savage .25 SS, a kit monster truck that took me 3 months to complete 😢 and never really ran correctly. First I had a whole new engine warrantied by HPI, and when that ran great, it immediately twisted all 6 driveshafts which got warrantied for the new CVDs. Then the shock caps started blowing off, so I bought aluminum shocks ($140). Snapped a steering servo. Rounded out the wheel hexes, then the rear diff literally exploded. It got thrown in a Tupperware and sits somewhere in my garage. 😂

Very nice video, this! I like that you include all aspects of the hobby, so what might seem like an odd choice, you explain yourself really well. Great list!

great vid, for the nitro fraction i would say the hpi savage s25 was a gamechanger in the bashing world. personally this time my fave is the maxx, build like a tank - love it and easy for maintanance.

That is one cool as RAF shell on that limitless!

The Associated RC10B2 was one hell of a piece of kit. I still miss my old one.

Happy to see the RC10 in your top ten. Called the Gold Chassis version by most peeps these days. I had one way back in the end of the 80s, but then sold it cos cash needed. I bought another in 2005-ish from a model shop I the US and paid, approx, 95 suids including shipping, for the buggy, radio, battery. Heh, turned out I couldn't use the 75mhz radio in the UK. But RC10s are like gold plated rocking horse poop these days, with used examples at 500 to 600 quid, and unassembled boxed original kits asking over a grand! I'll never sell this one unless I can get another! I have an MT10 and totally agree, apart from the fact that I broke a wheel axle on mine after sending it into a cartwheeling spin at prolly 35mph on stony old Bexhill beach! Never had any of the others, but as an ex buggy racer, I would have included the Schumacher Cat/Pro Cat, and and and !!! 😁

Great video and cr man

Fantastic list, Phil! Thanks!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Absolutely LOVE my Neros! By far the best I’ve owned and I’ve owned several since 1997. Has the Revo beat hands-down.

Bwahahah, "I cant force you to have the right one.' Fantastic. The Infraction was a bit of a left field for me... I knew you loved it, but your number 1 spot, that's a high praise!! Always great videos, loed the number transitions in this one, too! Keep crankin' out great videos, I will watch them all!!

Knowing Phil, it's quite surprising there is Traxxas on no. 10 😂

I like your n0.1 but for me it doesnt have enough character, wheels stay tight in and has less going on. for me actually the rally cars have it over this, maybe subaru but then the mitzy was great too

I can attest to the 144001....I've been into R/C since 1980 and it is IMO the best bang for your buck you can buy. It blows the doors off any other RTR little buggy.

Casually introducing the Hilux in front of a mint 1:1 scale Hilux! We need a video on that one too please 🙂

Great video Phil! Cant really disagree with any of that! Also fair play for including two Traxxas' despite their well documented issues I dont think you can do a top 10 without a Summit and an X Maxx.

My all time fav stays the AE SC10 (2wd of coz!), shortly followed by the HPI Cup Racer

Great selection of vehicles I like you put some old school rcs in there👍👍

Lovely list! I would have added a RC4wd somewhere but otherwise just great! Thanks 🙏

Agreed with the Infraction being number 1 as I love mine. But I also love my Losi LST2, in my opinion 1 of the best monster trucks ever made.

Kyosho rampage, Carisma SCA-1e, traxxas summit, Mini Trek Truggy, big rock, MT10, HPI WRX. These are the best

Cool video. I don't know alot about r/c's and manufacturers so this is helpful. Any chance you're doing more, such as top 10 monster trucks or top 10 1/10 scale?

Chinese rc’s have come a long way and because of you I now have a hyper go mjx 1605 and others on order! It’s partly due to the size speed and fun , I go to it more than my 1/5 30dnt as that needs so much space!!! Good top ten

Very fair selections I think. Hard to admit that a WL Toys offering would have more impact than my 1987 Tamiya Lunchbox, but I know that is/was the reality. Relative to your top 10 I guess my question would be, how close did the Tamiya Hornet come to making the list? When I was young it was hard to have an RC collection without owning a Hornet or the lower powered Grasshopper variant. We would all drool over the Tower Hobbies magazines with the Optima and Ultima's, but looked in our wallets and ended up with a Hornet (or in my case a Lunchbox). That was the teenager version of going to the hobby store. The adult version, all walked out with an RC10 and soon were buying hop up parts like mad. My brother elected to save his pennies and buy an RC10. Soon he had enough parts to build a whole new car (thanks to carbon fiber and the later release of the Stealth Transmission). In the meantime I saved my pennies for a Kyosho Double Dare, something that was fast enough, turned quick enough, and was tall enough to run over my brother's RC10. I just had to keep it upright and catch my brother in under five minutes, the time it took for the old Nicad batteries to start to fade. Oh, the other one on the list of most impactful RC vehicles ever made - I would have to include the Tamiya Clodbuster. The uproar that that thing made when it hit the market, the fact that it is still being made, and the fact that it is still being raced (See Trigger King RC) makes it worthy of mention (just ask Gavin if you can give his a rip).

Some great choices , I've had many of these , and would agree they're some of the best . There's so many others though , maybe if this does good for you , a longer list or honorable mentions could follow in the future . It's cool that you can still get some of these old school RCs new in reissue . Like the Sand Scorcher and kyosho Scorpion and Optima , ect .

Great list Phil, I think the 140001 is my next RC car for sure.

AE RC10TC4 or Tamiya TT01 deserves to be on a top 10 list, as well as the T-Maxx.

Rc10 nice that you have remembered the roots and heyday of rc track racing but I just have to say its the 2021 Arrma Typhon 6s v5 blx for me is best rc car ever made Great selection Tom 👍

Great video mate. It's hard to come up with a top 10 list that would please everyone but I think most people will find something to like in there

Nice List. My List would include a Traxxas Slash 2wd and also a Kyosho Rampage.

No TEAM LOSI JRX2?!?!?! Also mrc-tamaya fox! Closed chassis!

Great list. Tmaxx was a game changer for bashing in general and deserves at least an honorable mention.

Awesome!

Suprising list but I have to agree 👍🏾 I own 7 of the 10 you listed 😂😂😂

Great choices Phil. I like that you included a couple of Traxxas cars but managed to also remind us what bastards they are. I'd have had the Tamiya Lunchbox and Arrma Granite on my list but it's fair to say that I've not driven as many as you have 🤣

Great video!

Thanks for putting the wltoys on there reinvigorated me in RC because I could go fast cheap

I've seen so many positive reviews on the Arrma Infraction, I must have one!!!

I was surprised that the Arrma Typhon 6S wasn't on the list. 🧐

The was absolutely a great list. Awesome video

how does the Vendetta stack up against the infraction Phil.. are they a similar speed?

Nice varied list!

Good list, maybe add the old grasshopper, but I liked it brother

Superb list.

I feel like you are missing something like a traxxas slash… these trophy trucks have been a huge entry point for people into RC

Raced RC cars in the mid to late 80's. Had a AE RC12 street car & a 4wd japanese buggy. Brother in law had a RC10, father in law had a RC250 2wd nitro car. Wished I had bought an RC12 and RC250. I have driven them all and AE made a great tough car. We put electric speed controls on the RC12. I was amazed at the control you could get at racing speeds. The RC250 & RC12 were the most fun for me. The gas cars are almost too fast to race.

Stepping up the productions quality there phil.... nice. Dont change. Love your vids

I feel like the savage should have got a spot as it was a massive game changer in the 2000’s for many bashers almost the only durable ones from the era

Whether you agree or disagree this is a fantastic list of RC cars. Can't deny that. I have everyone on the list and couldn't agree more. You need to get the LOSI Promoto MX Phil. I got mine a few days ago and it became my favorite RC instantly. I feel like it's been 20 years since something as radical as the Promoto MX has come out It is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. Videos don't do it justice. Everyone should own one. It's an insane and unreal performance and so realistic! Number one RC product for 2023 IMO.

My father in-law has an RC10. Still runs and he's been upgrading it. Thing is a BEAST.

Objectively, the Team Associated B4 is the greatest RC race car of all time - the only car to win four world championships. Not as culturally influential as the classic RC10, but much more competitively successful.

Are hobaos hard to come by in the uk?

2:08, I absolutely LOVE my A959-A!

I have a T-A B5m and Ansmann Royal Flash, after a few upgrades they are both awesome cars.

I still love my Tamiya TTO2, fun to build and can be de swiss army knife of RC cars. ive built em for onroad racing, rallying and even as a drifter. its a cheap and fun jack of all trades, master of none with tons of options and customizabilty

I've been trying to get one them fiestas for ages we're they not only through Snap On or something? People wanting crazy prices for them!

Great list!! They are all awesome cars‼️👍👍🦾🦾

I know you aren't a Traxxas fan but they really have made RC a common and popular hobby. TMAXX and SLASH should be on the list. Top 10 is tough, Top 20 would be an easier list. Clodbuster, USA1, Sledgehammer............

So sad not seeing the OG HPI Baja 5B, started the whole 1/5 scale market. Sure not cheap but at like double the size of a xmaxx it's naturally going to be a bit more $$$.

As an HPI WR8 owner/ fan. I love the fact it’s on the list, completely deserving

I think number one was a great pick. Awesome video 😎

Really happy to know that the kid from A Christmas Story has found his calling.

Love your work man. Keep 'em comin'!

I would put the RC 10 at #1 u can make that platform into just about anything RC car or truck related

I don't know about xmaxx at 10,but the 4x4 wl toys buggys,may be one of the best value in rc they are fast ,pretty tough and great on small n large tracks

Kevin won’t be happy with the XMaxx on 10 😅😅😅😅

I have never seen a 80,s Toyota Rc before nice. Great video phill

When are you getting the Losi Promoto Tomley? I’m getting mine after they come off preorder so I’m hoping to see your thorough review because yours are the best

Good list for sure, but seems a miss to not include the best from Kyosho, Yokomo and Schumacher on there too.

Am I the only one who can't keep WLToys 144001 brushed cars from frying themselves? Doesn't matter if it's freezing out or warm out they nuke their electronics before the can get very many scrapes on the chassis. This is with the supplied 2s LiPo. Everyone claims they're the best budget right out of the box but I just can't agree. I can however fully agree that it was influential in RC and it definitely did bring attention to the Chinese RC market which has seen exploded. As for the rest of the list is SPOT ON!

Pretty good list but tamiya leading the way with kits like the grasshopper definitely needs more spots if this is all time..

Fantastic list

I would add the Erevo too :D Very good rc now

I get that this is based on your experience, but how can you leave off the Clodbuster and the T-Maxx? They are undoubtedly The two most influential off-road vehicles ever made, and they both shaped the hobby in very significant ways.

Fun video. And credit where it's due, you were the first youtuber I can remember who was singing the praises of the Associated MT10.

Cool list 👍🏻

Overall, I think it was a great list. love the video💯👍

yeah nah best iv seen was the gas nitro car based off of that movie where the black car blows up in th movie, but it did 80 kmh and was really durable. only 1:10 though

You Forgot The Turbo Fox from Tandy 😂

Losi JRX-Pro should have been on here - it changed the game big time in the same way the RC-10 did. Id' prob have also put the RC-10L on the list, which was really the first of the on-road cars.