G Force Hobby Genova Shakedown and Final Thoughts. NEW 2WD RC Buggy from Japan.

This is the third and final part of my experience with G Force Hobby's debut RC assembly kit - the Genova. If you haven't seen parts 1 and 2, the links are below:
Part 1 unboxing: • G FORCE GENOVA 2WD 1/1...
Part 2 building: • G Force Hobby Genova "...
As always, thank you for your time. I sincerely hope you found this review useful.

[@bullmangotti]

Loved the tamiya legends reference

[@Toystheyrenot]

From the video, it is clear that this buggy is an excellent performer in it’s class. Looks so composed and planted going over the bumpy terrain. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Genova for all of us outside of Japan. I too am rooting for them. It’s not easy for a small new player to succeed in the established rc world. 🤞👍

[@KaiCityRC]

Well said! 👍 It's still early days so I'm hopeful as more people get their hands on one, its popularity will increase. Would be nice to see a hopped up version of the Genova or for G Force to produce a 4WD chassis too. 🙂

[@madsrcbuggy]

Oh, man, that was a joy to watch, and your narration was spot on. Plus I believe you are talking to the right audience, the enthusiasts. I think I'm in the least nostalgic end, the least puritan. I love that matt black plastic, way better than blue anodised from Tamiya, ha ha! If it wasn't for the damned price, it would have been fun to have this. Thanks for showing this machine to us!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂 I'm glad my review was helpful. ☺️

[@tosphol]

I agree with most of your analysis. I like it that it has a cool retro look. And from you footage it jumps really well as modern buggy.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks!

[@ryanhodges2296]

Thanks for the videos on this. After a month or two of debating, I pulled the trigger on one and am importing it to the US. I love rear motor buggies! I have an unbuilt TD2 with all the upgrades, TRF201, and an older Associated RC10B5 that I will compare the Genova against. Can't wait to get it.

[@KaiCityRC]

Good luck with the build! I really don’t know why G Force don’t sell the Genova worldwide. It has quickly gained a following over here and for good reason!

[@bartbbb1046]

The wheelbase is huuuge! As shown, it looks like quite stable in the bump. I believe that the closest buggy you can compare it is the Kyosho Ultima rerelease or Shcumacher latest Cougar. But both cars have a pedigree. The Genova, for a first try as a company to bring out a kit, you have quite nice features: CVD, threaded shock, turnbuckles everywhere, all metal gear. You have a fair argument: will it create the same enthusiasm among the public as some rerelease? I don't think so also, but I do appreciate Gforce's effort to offer such a product! And I would love to get one!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you for commenting. I was quite surprised by the difference in wheelbase when I first put the two side by side.😁 I guess it helps to keep the buggy stable over the rough stuff.

[@jaywill530]

GREAT LOOKING CAR !!... perfect for rear motor buggy racing class !!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks!

[@jamesmcdonald2680]

I bought one from Amazon Japan (I'm in the US) and my total price was $70 less than a TD2 Astute.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Just got the Jegs stinger buggy which is a 12t brushed version of the Genova. It’s the best handling RC buggy I’ve ever driven

[@davescommonplacebook9374]

Looks like an RC10, right? Oooooohhhh, I want one....

[@MasamiChannel]

Thank you for introducing the GENOVA. Masami Hirosaka / G-Force Inc.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you for taking the time to comment! The Genova is a great buggy. 👍 ありがとうございます！

[@RCKickschannel]

Looks great!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you 😊

[@prophetate]

Awesome video, ordered one from Japan yesterday 😊👍

[@KaiCityRC]

That's great! I hope you enjoy it! 👍

[@prophetate]

@@KaiCityRC thanks 😊 yes I’m really looking forward to this buggy 😊

[@rodneychalker715]

Love the buggy...I'd purchase one if it came with hex fasteners!

[@theoagrc]

Hey David, that buggy looks fantastic and the composure of it over the bumps is awesome! I think your conclusion on the price point and support is interesting but I would buy one here in the UK in a heart beat. However, I think the export price would push it too far up against the competition buggies. If they could get it around the price point of a TD2 on export I would certain get one. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻🙌🏻

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks 👍 Yeah, I think any imports right now would be way too pricey. Hopefully G Force will make the Genova available in other markets in the near future.

[@andrewmagro7703]

this was a extremely well put together video review from specs to speaking about it and yes i think this would be very competitive in the race scene from the little running footage ive seen it seems to handle extremely well and i think i will be adding this to my very well loved two wheel drive rc car collection and a huge thank you for such a great ,well spoken video 🙂

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for the kind words.☺️ There are more a more vids appearing here on KZbin (in Japanese) with the Genova running on the track, so you can get a better idea of how well it performs.

[@michaelkraft5079]

Thanks David, nice to get this introduction to a brand that was totally unknown to me before. I will try to get one if they make it over here.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you!

[@andyrobinsonrc2480]

Great video again David, cheers for sharing your thoughts and insight into this buggy. I think one problem is for a lot of buyers it’s an old school race type buggy released in the wrong era of mid motor buggy’s and people may see it as a step backwards, vi rage fans may not buy into it because they didn’t exist back in the days of Losi xx’s and rc10b2/b3s so like you said there’s no emotional connection. Having said that I love it :)

[@KaiCityRC]

Andy I think your spot on with your assessment! 👍 Thanks for your input. I'm finding the more I drive it, the more I like it - both for the way it looks and for the way it drives! ☺️

[@michaelandrew4488]

Looks fantastic !

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm really liking how it turned out! ☺️

[@h3m1cuda]

The jegs stinger is the same car. It has a different body, wing, and wheels, but the front shock tower is identical. If you look at jegs parts for the car, the chassis appears to be the same as well. For $152 it comes built with a motor/esc and radio.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for commenting. ☺️ I was aware of the Stinger - indeed it has received much commentary over here in Japan for the exact same reason. Perhaps someone will eventually have the two buggies side by side and be in a position to do a detailed comparison, but for now at least they certainly do look very similar from the press photos. If it turns out that the Stinger is indeed a Genova with a few minor changes (or vice versa) then at that price, it's a bargain! 👍

[@h3m1cuda]

@@KaiCityRC It's weird that I can't find videos or reviews of the stinger. From what I understand, it's been out for a while. A comparison of the two would be great. I'm almost willing to buy a stinger and send it to a youtuber for a comparison. I don't really like the body or wheels on the stinger. I guess the body wouldn't be too bad if it was clear and I could paint it how I would like it. When I first saw the genova, I was so excited because it reminded me of my rc10. The body would probably fit a gold pan car. I have so many memories tied to the rc10 and a couple of tamiya cars. I think I would pay the extra money for the genova over the stinger. Changing the wheels and body on the stinger would bring the cost pretty close to the genova.

[@KaiCityRC]

@@h3m1cuda Agreed, while the chassis maybe the same or very similar, I much prefer the looks of the Genova! 👍

[@davidisenhower2821]

The Stinger is the same and there is the stadium truck version too "Holeshot"

[@JavaMon94]

50 bucks now grab em while they got em. Thats RTR without batt+charger. Hobbywing 1040, MST/CEN racing OEM 3 channel radio and a fast servo. Good price for the electronics alone.

[@RCBirds]

This is a very interesting car. Have to see your other videos. I hope there'll be some hop-ups for the Genova in the nearer future.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks! I'll be putting out more running videos in the coming weeks, and there are more and more (Japanese) videos appearing here on KZbin daily. For a recent vid of the Genova running on a track take a look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/farapXufo9x1mqs

[@RCBirds]

@@KaiCityRC Thanks for the link David. Ididn't understand a word but the footage explains a lot👍. This is really an awesome car. Hope the export'll starts very soon.

[@AddamsPlayground]

I agree that that low slung and sleek design really screams retro 2WD buggy racing and I think it looks fantastic. For what I can get one for it is too much money but if actually sold in the US for a reasonable price I would probably lean towards getting one. It is not too often you can get a 1St release buggy from a company and I hope they succeed and can make some more kits. I think your assessment of the price is dead on. Not a high end race car you would be able to compete with and not a cherished re-release so the folks that can afford this may not jump on it right away. It is a little too much for an entry level buggy and you can get other 2WD buggies RTR for less and many people are not building kits anymore unless they are racing or collecting. I am not sure where it fits in but it does look great and I would love to have one if the price is right!

[@KaiCityRC]

Yeah, it kind of occupies the middle ground. Not high spec enough for the serious racers, but a little pricey for a beginner. It's still early days yet and I'll keep everyone posted of any new developments. I took it for another run today before the rain started, and it felt lightning quick. But that may have been due to me running the Sand Scorcher immediately before it! 😁

[@trevorcampbell6326]

Here in the states it’s sold through jegs and they keep the spare parts in stock. Depending on the sale it goes for $50 all the way to $160

[@luckydaesten9586]

I hope you can get a hand to others Tamiya 2wd retro buggy such as Dyna Storm, Mad Cap, Astute or Super Astute and review them 🙏🏻 really looking forward

[@KaiCityRC]

I hope so too! I'd really like to add a Mad Cap or original Astute to the collection one day! Thanks. ☺️

[@justinstandring7413]

One thing you can usually count on with a vintage buggy is interesting decals and box art.I think that the emotional connection comes from a distinct character that Tamiya and Kyosho were so good at instilling into their products.Although the looks of this are mid school retro,I feel more effort on the decals and packaging would have made a big difference.It has that modern buggy blandness unfortunately.But good luck to them on their next efforts,and maybe the brand will gain a following and ship over here to the Uk.

[@KaiCityRC]

Agreed. A nicer set of decals with a more "vintage" feel to them would have been nice.

[@Droidy77]

You're right about the Colonial Viper lookalike! But I'd say the muted monotone chassis looks very stylish.

[@KaiCityRC]

😁 I'm glad someone else can see the resemblance! To be honest, the monotone black chassis is kinda growing on me! 👍 Still, if they weren't so expensive, I'd be very tempted by the optional gold shocks! 🤤😁😎

[@philthyco1]

beauty!

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks!

[@n22pdf]

Wow looks awesome 😎 very impressed.. great looking buggy

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks 👍

[@davidpigg3942]

I'm pretty sure this is exact same buggy that Jegs RC Offers Under the name STINGER. I picked it up on sale for 4999. Bennett excellent buggy.

[@KaiCityRC]

They are almost the same!

[@ioskaioska5166]

Great Video! But I can't seem to find parts for it. Do you know or can you point me to the part's store website for this rc Genova?

[@KaiCityRC]

I get most of my spares at my local circuit. They carry most of the essentials, though none of the optional parts. I believe you can also get spares through Amazon Japan.

[@tomhunter3075]

I like it. The combination of retro look with modern plastics. It's pretty cool. I would consider having that. Would be cool to see a full carbon version with lexan undertray and gold big bore dampers. Something like that :)

[@KaiCityRC]

Now that would be very nice. I'm really hoping they're successful with the Genova, because if they are, things like this, hoped up versions with carbon/alu/titanium etc become a possibility. I'm sure they'll be crazy expensive if they ever did happen, but still it would be nice! 😁

[@tomhunter3075]

@@KaiCityRC I see it getting traction. I think with Masami involved thats a big draw. So far, the marketing in the UK is non existent but if Modelsport get hold of some it will sell I think. I would have one 🙂

[@isaidme0]

Funny enough the Genova resembles the Tamiya DT-03 as far as length then the DT-02 it succeeded.

[@matthewwiddows6319]

I have a tamiya dt02 (sand viper), it drives ok. i had a hobbyking bz-222 that i really did like. what we need is a decent 2wd basher, bit like the hobbyking vandal and ftx vantage. these drive well and are cheap with abundance of spares. but these are 4wd and not the fun of a 2wd.

[@dsoupashis]

Awesome review, really enjoyed that, I think it's a good looking buggy right there, but for the price a re re Schumacher cougar would be my choice!

[@KaiCityRC]

Yeah, as nice as the Genova is, the Cougar would be hard to pass up! 😎 Sadly here, if you're lucky enough to find one, a Cougar Chassis will set you back around ¥45,000...considerably more than the Genova at ¥26,000.

[@mlugin8050]

Glen from Tamiya Legends said: „et‘s a theng of beate“

[@yellomello71]

Wonderful car. For me, price is not the decisive factor in this case. Considering what Tamiya is charging for the TD02 and what you get for it , that's a bargain. From what I've seen of this buggy so far I'm really impressed. Too bad there is no distributor in Europe. The problem is certainly not getting it from Japan, but rather the spare parts. The Battlestar Galactica comparison is very funny. Maybe you should add Captain Starbuck as a driver 😂

[@KaiCityRC]

Yeah, I am so tempted to get a second body and go for a Colonial Viper color scheme. Trouble is my painting skills are nowhere near good enough to do it justice! 😅 Spare parts for the Genova are on the pricey side (when compared with Tamiya) so they'd be really expensive when exported. Hopefully G Force will make the Genova available world wide at some point.

[@rc-fannl7364]

Apart from the retro body, it feels a lot like the Kyosho RB5 series, also a rear motor high spec. Now, will they make a 4WD buggy too and make it look like colonial viper? ;-)

[@AsurasWrath164]

The prices for the spares hurt. 45€ for a small 1:10 buggy body? Ouch!

[@KaiCityRC]

Yeah! The price of spares will put a lot of people off, especially beginners which is who the buggy is supposed to be aimed at! 😲 And the option parts are way, way over priced! 😱

[@danielandrews7028]

Nice! I’m dying to see it painted in tamiya ps-3 How is parts support? I’d like one of these but parts availability is a must without buying another kit.

[@KaiCityRC]

Over here in Japan, easy to come by. My local circuit stocks most spares and they can be ordered online from many hobby shops. Outside of Japan, I have no idea, as it is not officially sold elsewhere. But browse through the comments of this video and others on the Genova and you'll see many people have pointed out that the Genova is basically a JEGS Stinger Buggy, sold in North America. So it maybe possible to get spares for the Stinger that would work on the Genova.

[@mrlt1]

I've been following this car for a bit it looks like Masami Hirosaka has had a hand in this car and the g force brand that said he is a legend in the racing realm it does bear resemblance to some of the Team Associated cars he used to race.

[@KaiCityRC]

He's been heavily promoting it over here. He had a lot to do with the overall look of the body, though I'm not sure how far that extended to the chassis design.

[@mrlt1]

@@KaiCityRC I'm looking at trying to get one stateside

[@pattyofurniture5674]

That's an old school '70s reference. Lol

[@pattyofurniture5674]

I Want One.

[@yazi31]

Hi there I'm building this right now... I have a question... is the steering angle less than other buggy (compare to re re ultima) thks and great job on the video

[@KaiCityRC]

I just put my Genova and Ultima side by side for a quick comparison. The Ultima has marginally more steering angle. The difference is minor. I wouldn't say the Genova has poor steering angle, and certainly compared to a lot of my older Tamiya's it has quite good steering. It also looks huge when lined up next to the Ultima. 😁

[@yazi31]

@KaiCityRC had a run today on track... great handling and oh my these genova can really fly.... once again ❤️ ur vid...and tq

[@KaiCityRC]

@@yazi31 Glad it worked out for you!

[@pattyofurniture5674]

I WANT ONE 🙏👍🤘

[@brianlee8877]

It looks like a great one. I am used to play kyosho, but this one really interested me. However, it seems not available in Hong Kong yet.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for commenting. Sadly, it is only available in Japan only at this point. Hopefully they'll roll it out worldwide at some point.

[@rcaficionado]

Great review! Your buggy looks really good and seems to handle very nicely. I didn’t notice the similarity to a Colonial Viper until you mentioned it. Maybe you can get a spare body and paint it white with an orange stripe down the front. 😃. Do you plan to keep this in your collection or move it along to make room for something else?

[@KaiCityRC]

Now that's an idea. 🤔😁 Oh, this is a keeper for sure. I'm fast running out of space to put my ever growing collection. But as most of it is re-releases of vintage designs, it's nice to have a modern buggy to add a little variety. 🙂

[@alfredyost7972]

I have decided to get one. I just got it today. The price has come down a little bit. Thoughts?

[@KaiCityRC]

I'm not familiar with the prices outside of Japan, as it's not officially sold elsewhere. But the general consensus here is that the kit is quite good value for money. If you were able to secure a discount, then it's even better value. 👍 Just be aware, the parts are relatively pricey! Good luck with the build. 🙂

[@alfredyost7972]

@@KaiCityRC The only place I have found so far to get parts is Bonsai hobby. They seem to have pretty good prices too. They even have after market parts too. Thoughts?

[@KaiCityRC]

@@alfredyost7972 I’m not familiar with the website, but if you’re able to get parts at reasonable prices then it’s all good. 👍

[@alfredyost7972]

@@KaiCityRC They are located in Japan. I just placed a small order. If the postage is reasonable this might be the way to go to get parts. Take a look and see what you think. Thoughts?

[@coolcycles]

To see your different buggies handle the bumps and waves was my highlight! The depiction was really clear. Would be interesting to see different setups in comparison. You have a nice camera setup to keep the running buggy in frame over quite a long drive time. Not sure how you do that... - Where did you get the neon yellow camping plates? I am just looking for somthing like that, my prefered size would be around 12-15cm in diameter. -

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you! I wasn't sure if the footage would make it clear just how stable the Genova is compared to the re-releases. I have a video on my channel where I explain how I shoot my running videos, so check it out if you'd like to know more (basically I run 🏃‍♂️ after the buggy 😁) Link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/babalGmMeZWrhLM As for the cones, I picked them up from Amazon Japan. They are Eagle Model Pylon Cones M Size. M size is 20cm in diameter, but they do S (15cm) too. They are nice a flat so won't flip the car if you hit them.

[@coolcycles]

@@KaiCityRC Thank you! Ok, I really thought, you had the camera mounted on a little cart or had a wheel on the end of your camera stick. Humans can achieve awesome things, just by training and experience… 😲! ;) I have searched for these markers, but they come up in Japan only. Got to go on with my cardboard plates turned upside down. Agreed, all these soccer training marking cones I could get here, are too dangerous, flipping the cars on contact. Clay pigeons might be another cheap option, at least for an off road parcours.

[@BMfins]

Yeah time to ditch nimh batteries

[@KaiCityRC]

I'm getting more and more tempted. But for several reasons making the switch is not as easy as I'd like, so for the moment I'll be sticking with the old school NiMHs.

[@eaxnitro]

Well this video hasn't aged well. The Geforce Genova is now hugely popular in Japan...