Spaceship or RC Car?! Tamiya Super Avante TD4 4WD Buggy Kit Review | RC Driver

[@Competitionx]

Great job on the video, as usual. Think it was a fun basher, you should get it over to Madness on a track! It's fun! Bet it would be a ton of giggles on the turf track!

[@rcdriver]

I really wanted to hit the dirt with it, but now that you mentioned it, turf might be fun too!

[@ptaylor5014]

You are one of the 1st to show us a fully built and running video of this new kit, looks interesting but sadly can't afford it lol, will be watching Glenn's channel when he finally gets hold of one too.

[@rcdriver]

Thanks for watching!

[@TAMIYALegends]

Superb video my friend 🤩👊🏻

[@rcdriver]

😎🙌

[@mad-beerc3818]

I was unsure about this buggy to start with when it was first shown! but l am loving the design now and the boxart has really grown on me! Love it now! Great typical classic tamiya stuff! Great vid thanks for the Super Avante TD4 tour👍

[@adrianharrison5208]

I have seen a few people having problems with that plastic nut in the diffs that you brought up, so yes it can be a pain. Mine turned up a few days ago and I cannot wait to build this kit.. After two years with this kit i have not had a problem with those nuts at all

[@RCHobbyShed]

Excellent review. It's great to finally see this buggy up close. 👍

[@Genicksalto]

You did a very nice clean built. Love it when people do proper cable management.

[@offgriddesign2484]

excellent shots around 15:50. Thanks for the video

[@NordicRC]

Extremely well put together review and overview! Thumbs up and many thanks 🙏 👍🏻🙂

[@basementracer]

Want to get two of these, 1 as a shelf queen to go with my collection and one to beat the heck out of making me smile. Excited to get this. I have it's lineage in original state, Avante, Egress and Vanquish, all period correct. This will go nicely.

[@andyrobinsonrc2480]

Really nice in-depth review and I like the top about removing the bump stops I’ll be doing that on my build when it arrives in the UK ;)

[@BMfins]

Such a cool looking and mechanically designed car.

[@AsurasWrath164]

The bump stops are in the kit because it comes standard with only dogbones in the front and rear. Hopping up to universal driveshafts, in the front at least, is a must imho.

[@devnull128]

Exactly...

[@StephenNZ]

Excellent review, thanks. There really isn't anything in this segment anymore so I like that Tamiya have made it. It would be really great if it would handle a modern buggy track with lots of jumps just for some fun running.

[@esojanacig9230]

Nice one! Hopefully Tamiya will come out with the Nissan King Cab. I have mine 30yrs ago.

[@scottnorton6834]

Great review. I can’t wait for mine to arrive. I believe that they designed it so that you can amount the battery laterally and the pieces needed to do so are included on one of the parts trees. It is in their Instagram live, that they did about a month ago, around the 25:00 mark. Says the kit has extra parts that the instructions don’t tell you what they go to.

[@ccrum32]

Yeah, however, the body doesnt work, and the weight will only impact it negatively, unless some other modifications are completed

[@SiRTHiZZL3]

Wow, I remember that issue of RCCA that featured the 4-way shoot-out between the Avante, the Kyosho Turbo Optima Mid SE, The Shumacher Cat, and I think a Yokomo. I had such high hopes for the Avante, but it finished last. To heavy I think. I have been looking ALL OVER online trying to find that issue! Wish you had one you could bless me with! *wink,wink*

[@TheUsmc0802]

Tamiya USA had he issue on line linked to the Avante rere check it out.

[@DocWolph]

The Tamiya Avante was very heavy. Its aluminum tie rods and ends did it no favors. They bent easily. You needed to buy the Robinson Racing Titanium rods to fix that. Even then, you really also wanted plastic rod ends to keep your setup and reduce weight. The suspension was also very soft and hard to setup correctly. The shocks even thought they resembled Kyosho Gold shocks, the "gold" standard for 1/10 competition shocks then and now, did not work as well as Golds or many other competing designs, like Associated, Yokomo, and Schumacher. The cam lock rims had a habit of coming loose or just off during a hard run. And the "break-a-way" front suspension, something the Schumacher CAT also had but was much less finicky, did not respond well to some jumps and bumps. All and all the OG Avante as an exercise in RC over-engineering.

[@inspyre.design]

@@DocWolph I had two as a kid. Those cast metal uprights were a joke too!

[@Funkymojo75]

@William PerriThe CAT XLS was the winner. I love that issue of RCCA...

[@rubmol]

I love the super avante, it looks like the trackmania nations forever car!

[@zackthebongripper7274]

You have to remove the stoppers to increase steering.

[@Chris-sd6os]

Hey Greg - great video. One question - did you have any problems with dog bones popping out ?

[@neontetra1000]

Did you leave the spacers out of the front caster blocks? , they are there to limit the steering throw . Mine has tons of steering now and I agree about the smoothness . Quite remarkable . I am going to change the rear arms and hubs and shafts to db01 and am contemplating swapping sides with the servo to simplify the linkage. I also use a shorty which I may mount laterally but that requires dremel work and losing the top brace until someone prints new side doors.

[@theoagrc]

Great review! I am very tempted by this but also considering the TD2 recently announced

[@bradkalman2353]

I bet you can't wait for the td-2. I'm sure with all the hop-ups for this vehicle and the next one I'm sure that they could be made to race professionally because they have sheets for auntie squat and squat and all that stuff like it would an actual racer setup in the directions I thought.

[@PhilBender612]

Wait a minute Gregg, this Tamiya kit has full ball bearings? way to go Tamiya.

[@rcdriver]

AND hex hardware!

[@PhilBender612]

@@rcdriver whoa! lol🙂thanks

[@kahmed7328]

@@rcdriver WOW…hex is the real mind blowing part.

[@Papinak2]

It's standard for Tamiya mid-range chassis

[@derekc6425]

Great review Greg! I'm getting one this week after watching your video :) Does the stock parts allows u to mount the battery horizontally across the chassis or it is an additional hop-up part that we have to purchase? Seems like getting the battery into the body is a pain on this kit

[@rckids6557]

Nice upload my friend 👍 👍

[@schuttrostig5729]

You can adjust the steering stop by using less shims in step 40. it eaven says you should vary the amount of shims according to track. I think you can run without any shim (only the screw) and its still ok with the dogbones (ah.. you found that and mention it at the end.. ok). Also i dont like the ball diffs, i think they will not hold up to any decent motor and slip right through. In the kit there are eaven the plastic parts to put the battery in accross, but the hardware (4 screw posts with holes) is missing. I would have really liked it if they added that as an alternative, could mount the speedo low front and get the total weight lower. I guess we need to wait for the td2 manual to see which hardware to buy so all fits together.

[@ccrum32]

Well, you’ll also need a custom body, but i am looking forward to which company makes one first!

[@bluegroovemodelsports9650]

I noticed that with the Tamiya Xv-01 kit I built . It was not quite a race kit but was way more high end than most Tamiya kits. Knocking on the door of thier high end race cars .

[@Papinak2]

It's midrange kit, like TA, TB and recently M07/08 - it's meant to have performance close to TRF kits, while using cheaper materials.

[@RickyBroshRacing]

I want this thing, badly.

[@johnlothian9444]

Can’t wait for this one. Finally something new

[@sebastientschannen261]

Cool buggy😀

[@hidechan719]

I’m so happy to see some details about new 4WD buggy before get it. I personally want to change shocks. thanks for your video!

[@thisdjae86guy81]

There is alot of hopups for it. And in Japan it's a racing track car, it's the best Tamiya platform ever built in Tamiya history, it combines the motor position of a DF03 and handling of a TRF BUGGIES, it's superior handling

[@rcdriver]

You may see all the hop-ups in a part 2. 🤫😄

[@rexrcs]

Picking mine up tomorrow! Cant wait to rip it at the track, thank you for the steering tip in advance

[@billypennrc2273]

This buggy should not be associated with the awesome original in any way. I agree 💯%, the steering is ..let's just say it, BAD & it is really disappointing coming from Tamiy. The steering on this is as bad as the shocks on the 2022 Thunder shot re-release. Let me just say I LOVE TAMIYA R/C kits & and I will never stop buying there re-release kits.. but a few people need to be called into the office. I don't expect a company like TAMIYA to release a new or re-release with issues, especially issues that are easy to correct. Great review as always Greg, really appreciate the details and honesty ! ✌🏼🏁

[@jennyetherington3326]

Epic review as always 💙💛

[@rcdriver]

😎🙌

[@yvesstocky9936]

nice track, where is it?

[@tm5123]

Excellent vid, super informative, thank you very much! :D

[@ericwood2790]

Good review as always, I have this on preorder and the more I see it the more I want it . It seems like a Tamiya you can actually run and it will hold up without breaking so easily.

[@rcdriver]

Yeah, I beat it up in the bashing field, granted it was a bit underpowered. But it seems though.

[@ericwood2790]

Front arms , rear arms , chassis depends on which one and how old it is . I have 55 of them .

[@ericwood2790]

Sadly it’s true, I do have that many

[@ericwood2790]

@@philthyco1 sad but true

[@bluegroovemodelsports9650]

Great video

[@DocWolph]

I like it but the design is as baroque as the original Avante. A tad discouraging. But the OG car was still very straight forward. This one gives me Kyosho Rocky nightmares. I do like the Push-rod suspension. It can be Extremely adjustable with parts swaps but right now seems a little too soft for any good sized jumps. This is a intermediate level buggy that wants to be a racer more than a basher. Not to many buggies like that, that are not just de-contented Full race buggies anymore these days. It ought to hang nicely with some re-issues like the Re-iussed Kyosho Optima/Javelin.

[@ptaylor5014]

Will you also be showing the new Tamiya TD2 kit when it is available?

[@rcdriver]

I have dropped some hints to Tamiya. It looks awesome right!?

[@gbraadnl]

5:00 the concern with those screws is wear and tear. Plastic will eventually wear out. So, so they screw into a metal bushing or using a self tapper into the tub?

[@Papinak2]

There are embedded nuts in the tub.

[@분청사기]

갖고싶다...!!!

[@cutterbacon]

Super darling.

[@grahammcdonald6011]

Great video, I have one on pre order and can’t wait! Can you advise what type/pitch pinion gear is required please?

[@grahammcdonald6011]

I've since found the manual is now available and answered my own question - 06 module :-)

[@shannonnufer]

So finally got mine last night how is it I got an ugly yellow chassis with mine!?

[@Chunky246]

Seen a few videos of it jumping now, seems to jump really well.

[@rcdriver]

Yup, I believe with more power than I chose behind it, it will be even more controlled and smooth on the jumps.

[@gadsrc]

Beautiful kit 🤘

[@jcbaja404]

Great review I always wanted one.

[@munthirkhan1217]

what happened to your eagle talon?

[@Punisher6654]

Looks dope

[@seth8005]

Anybody know what's the purpose the nipple shape ball end in the middle suspension arm?🤔

[@blankstare3775]

Sway bar connection point

[@seth8005]

Thanks👍👏👏

[@guymarotta2596]

What were they thinking with that front suspension design?

[@martinhsrc6699]

What size hex drivers will I need? Thanks

[@rcdriver]

Mostly a 2.0. 1.5mm and 2.5 for a few things.

[@martinhsrc6699]

@@rcdriver brilliant thank you

[@rcdriver]

@@martinhsrc6699 Oh! And a small JIS/ phillips screwdriver for the fender screws.

[@beauvrt]

Always wanted a Avante. The old top of the line. The Mk, Mk2, then this updated version. Some stuff. The old ones were expensivefor the times and I could never get one. Maybe now 🤔 🤙awesome stuff.

[@rcdriver]

Yup, wanted one so bad in the old days, it was just so different. I had offers on my re-release. Nope, pass lol.But this new buggy is a blast.

[@kahmed7328]

Great review as always! Cool buggy, very innovative. I’m not a big fan of the Tamiya ball diff, too hard to tune imo.

[@binojgeorge8135]

U are awsome

[@DoRC]

I think it's funny how people hold Tamiya to a different standard than most other companies. They're basically only compared against themselves because if you actually compare them to other modern companies they would fall hilariously short. To be excited about getting ball bearings and a kit that costs $320 is pretty telling.

[@rcdriver]

Why do we have to compare them to other companies? Can’t this just be a simple hobby where people can escape and enjoy what interests them?

[@DoRC]

@@rcdriver absolutely I just think that if people were a little harder on tamiya they might be motivated to produce something a bit more modern. I would like to own something from them but I bash my stuff and nothing they make would actually hold up. Because of their nostalgia tamiya kind of sits in a bubble on their own. Many other companies have proven that this does not work long term. Once the people that are nostalgic either die off or have everything they want customer base falls off.

[@jasonkohlmeier6707]

For what it’s worth all the basher cars etc don’t hold value anything like tamiya (and Kyosho). Tamiya was the first aka rc model car. Clearly from the late 70s to now they are still in high demand. It’s still a lot more fun to actually build your car instead of rtr. Traxxus has been around forever also but nobody seeks their cars out for shelf queen or sell for large amounts, because they are not iconic. (Except the sledgehammer is still in demand). As others have pointed out the tamiya seekers want the old school vintage models etc. they don’t strive on running their cars full speed into a curb etc. yet you have those who want to do 80 and see how many cart wheels they can do etc. both are fine, but tamiya will always out last these modern brands.

[@DoRC]

@@philthyco1 care to expand on that?

[@DoRC]

@@philthyco1 in the 20 years I've been in this hobby I've owned a half a dozen different Tamia cars. Their heritage is not what I was referring to. I was also not referring to tamiyas race prowess although I can't tell you the last time I saw a tamiya seriously racing at a track anywhere around me. I never said they were a bad company I just think it would be cool if they made cars that were able to compete with modern bashers. To be honest with you your closed-minded point of view kind of makes you sound like a fanboy. But hey prove me wrong. Take one of these cars out and do some serious bashing with it and make a video of it surviving. I will gladly be wrong.

[@chepahakhat_a8326]

What you you recommend for medium budget rc car desert racer type. That is though

[@27Zangle]

Not a big fan of the body style on this one. I am in the market for a nice Tamiya kit to build during Christmas break with the kiddos. I bet they would love the looks of this one, haha! Edit: I think this buggy looks like a ton of fun! The body isn't too bad after getting some closer shots. I hope they have a line of aftermarket parts of aluminum bits available. Also, I think it would be a fun buggy to build and race in a class designed for it because of how unique the design is.

[@bambanggokil4477]

Good🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@defmud80]

It jumps and rides like a race buggy.

[@hendrahendra]

Not my cuppa tea but very brave of Tamiya to bring out a very controversial styled buggy it really reminds me of the current 2021 BMW M3 M4. Either you love it or you hate it I guess. For me i think its a pass, I'll wait for the TD2. Great review. Take care.

[@rcdriver]

The TD2 does look interesting. Looking forward to seeing more on that.

[@michaelblair4744]

Were you involved in the 4wd buggy shootout that RCCA did around 89 or 90? I remember it well. I already had a Turbo Optima Mid SE so I was glad it came out on top. I remember the mod was black and red, the Avante was aqua or turquoise, the Dogfighter (YZ10) was dark red but I can't remember how the CAT XLS was painted. Which buggy did you think was best from a driving perspective? Also, I agree with your observations on the Super Avante. Straight away I thought, that does not sound like a Tamiya car. And it jumps really well.

[@basementracer]

What's a lander to land on? You say it nose dives and to watch out if we don't have a lander to land on. Surely you just mean a landing ramp? Please let us know what you mean by a "lander". Thanks,

[@bassanonymous4923]

I just can't get over the price tag on it $490🤯😫😫

[@rcdriver]

Horizon Hobby has is listed for $315 USD

[@ccrum32]

@@rcdriver yeah…

[@bassanonymous4923]

@@rcdriver $315 is still alot in my opinion.. but to each their own😁👍🏼

[@nickvledder]

True, throw in a few extra dollars and have yourself a Kyosho Inferno 4wd 1/8 scale, one that does well on tracks :-).

[@VestedUTuber]

inb4 Traxxas tries to sue Tamiya for using pushrod suspension, only to get their patent revoked because Tamiya can provide prior art with their F1 chassis.

[@garymurphy5133]

its shares about 10% appeal of the original Avante. Bet the sales would be lower if "Avante" was not on the box. Tamiya fan boys do like avante/egress/vanquish name on the box!

[@photonwolf4268]

How many times can you say in one video that something isn't a racing vehicle, but then describe it's parts and handling as that of a racing vehicle? XD

[@rcdriver]

Because when I posted photos of it, I got messages of people asking if this was like a TRF race buggy. It is not positioned as one by the Tamiya US office. But it does handle well with race-like characteristics.

[@nighthawkj30A4]

I like the Avante better then the super big deal breaker on the super Avante is the battery mounting. To remove screws just to take battery out is dumb.

[@ramblingimbecile2295]

Oh no. The yellow wheels don't match. It's It's much for me to cope haha

[@paulclancy2404]

Those shocks are ironically laying down kind of like the revo and 6s bigrock , avante was one first RC's I ever seen, very expensive back in the 80s too

[@bluegroovemodelsports9650]

Tamiya may need to be careful with the inboard shock . There are RC companies that think they own the pushrod suspension design .

[@oliverstoys8411]

I agree, like what happen to my arrma Nero, if the tamiya sell a lot of this kit and have a close category as there revo, traxxas might complain, the suspension design was long time ago before greedy traxxas.

[@kelynsdad1023]

Hopefully traxxas doesn’t file a lawsuit

[@ccrum32]

For what?

[@kelynsdad1023]

@@ccrum32 the shock and rocker arms …. They sue’d Arrma and Hobbico because Arrma used the same design on the Nero . Traxxas has a patent on that set up .

[@ccrum32]

@@kelynsdad1023 well tamiya already used that set-up for the FF-03 platform (Please forgive me, they look very similar)

[@kelynsdad1023]

@@ccrum32 yes indeed you are correct ….Traxxas was not the first to come up with this but when they did they put a patent on it .

[@Papinak2]

@@kelynsdad1023 wasn't traxxas patent about two piece rocker arms? Tamiya uses one piece - and they're using it since F201

[@zachf9853]

Be cool to see a test and tune episode at a track to see how it compares to full on race buggies.

[@butchmeister80]

KZbin ads drive me maddddd

[@maskellator]

Are you sure the gearing is correct. I would Imagine a decent 17.5 would be plenty for that buggy when geared correctly. It is possibly revving too much, add a few more teeth on the pinion and try that.

[@allyoucando8486]

For I can see I pass, i don't like they say high end, Arrma BLX is more quality, the plastic from Tamiya don't convince me

[@stevejackson3564]

Good looking car. Wished they would have put more strength into the car. They should have put brushless in. Shocks should have been higher quality. Just my preference sense it's 2021. Step into a slim Jim.

[@hammerhome7879]

I started in Tamiya 35 years ago , I cant believe they still pump out the same plastic crap they did back then. It only looks cool on the shelf ..IMO

[@tamiglia]

Well, the "plastic crap" can be very strong, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Delrin, etc are high performance polymers. Although I prefer aluminium or even some form of carbon fiber (this last one maybe a little old school).

[@tiduspernicano5852]

🤔

[@Oldmonstrosityshop]

I really don’t get all the back lash this buggy has had. I get that people are passionate about the Avante but if this buggy had been called something different, there wouldn’t be so much uproar about it. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. The Avante rere is still available. The only thing I don’t really like about it is that I think the battery installation is over engineered. But then the original Avante was massively over engineered so I think it kind of fits. Love the vintage style box art.

[@GT125man]

What do tamiya want with a car like this?? Reminds me of the tenth tech 4wd offroad buggy from the ‘90… Why would tamiya fans want this car?

[@bernatnadalcursach326]

Extremelly ugly , yes remind the tech predator

[@garymarshall724]

You wouldn’t buy it to race though 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

I think its cool but for that price i would get something else like Kyosho Turbo Optima.

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Man that thing is ugly as sin. I remember when the original came out. From memory it was considered heavy and overly complicated.

[@Fluterra]

It’s cool, and a good low price; but it’s a much “cheaper” car than the original Avante. Look at all the plastic! And those gears on trees?!

[@butchmeister80]

Looks complicated and especially that paint scheme

[@rcdriver]

Tamiya manuals are great. I was dreading the body, but it wasn’t so bad once I started.

[@butchmeister80]

@@rcdriver done a good job on it

[@patrickpanda8374]

Am I the only one that don’t really like when RCs have “drivers” in the cockpit? I don’t know why I hate that. As an example I won’t buy the Axial SCX-10 or the new SCX-6 because of the driver. 🥴

[@dwbv00]

Uh oh. Tamiya is stealing Traxxas idea of a rocker arm suspension. Even though Traxxas got it from F1 racing. I see a lawsuit coming.

[@reecereed8131]

Even tho Traxxas stole it from Schumacher, Traxxas have less right to the push rod system than just about anyone on planet earth, I'd like to see Traxxas try and go after Schumacher who will have designs going back before Traxxas were even thought of..

[@Papinak2]

Tamiya uses rocker arm suspension for nearly two decades... Atleast that's how old is their earliest car I can think of - F201

[@reecereed8131]

@@Papinak2 The Schumacher Top Cat was 1988 with it's front push rod suspension, So that's 3 decades and only 2 years after Traxxas was formed, Lucky Traxxas are based in Texas as they are now just Patent trolls.

[@過敏性おまおま]

何言ってるかわからないおま|ω・)

[@manfirebirdF350]

remove battery, what a joke

[@superfeschi]

Ball Differential... I hate these...

[@henrywashington3732]

Those wheel body flares are ugly!

[@earlyculyer4103]

Looks like a toy no carbon fiber? Or oil filled shocks sorry for that type of money it seems like they cut corners and want you to upgrade everything after paying top dollar. The only thing I like is the bodies by the bodies and put them on something else lol

[@londonpirates]

It has oil shocks and most other items I'd expect for the price, high quality plastics, hex screws, bearings and a high degree of adjustments. Compared to the VQS which is roughly the same price I think you're getting quite a lot?

[@Papinak2]

It has oil shocks and plastics are fibre reinforced nylon, not polycarbonate like their cheaper kits. Only problem I have with this kit are front dogbones - they really should include CVDs in their midrange kits.

[@Snijkamp]

Plastic gears 🙈😬

[@Gma7788]

This scaled down buggy is supposed to weigh over 100kg. You foolishly didn't add any weight to the buggy. Your buggy doesn't look right being extremely lightweight.

[@rcdriver]

Only foolish thing I see here is your post.