Are All Remote Control RC Tamiya Avante Chassis Cars Great?

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

I was 24, and a bit too successful in a Band and as a Club DJ in 88... That's when I bought mine. Success fades, but my passion for that Avante never will. I had the Zenith of Tamiya, and I knew it! I didn't CARE that Associated and Yokomo could spank it on a Track! Mine was SPECIAL!! Sadly due to serious hardship, I had to sell her in 2013... And was SHOCKED that the bidding ended at nearly *$700.00!!!* 😲 It also sold with 12 spare front Steering Knuckles and Uprights - the weakest link on that Chassis. I still revere it as a piece of Mechanical ART. If I ever have the chance again (unlikely), I'd buy one in a heartbeat!!! ❤ I concur with you.... The DF-03, though a nice Chassis - is NOT worthy of the Avante name. Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@RCKickschannel]

Thanks you for an epic comment and a lovely story 👏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻

[@jkimsc]

Really appreciated this video. Really appreciate your perspective in comparing models, especially when you talk about your experience in running them and which ones are a joy to build, etc. Thanks for the great content.

[@nicholastory9449]

The Egress was the evolution of the Avante, which makes it a much better buggy than the Avante design-wise. I think what Tamiya were thinking was ‘we’ve made the necessary improvements on the Avante, but let’s give the Avante the nod that it deserves and make an Avante version of the Egress...’ Hence the Avante 2001. It’s actually a beautiful car, and I reckon it was meant to be hopped up, the motor it came with was just a baseline.

[@perfectsplit5515]

The Avante 2001 is what should be re-released. The beauty of the original Avante, with the durability of the Egress's suspension arms.

[@KaizerTest]

I had an original grasshopper, Frog, Hotshot, Falcon and Blitzer Beetle. The Hotshot was a lot of money in Canada in the 1980's. I was soooo lucky to get it. With all the re releases out these days I have no inspirations to own an old original...other than an original wild willy. I always wanted a willy. As for the Avantes I have 2 re re's....love them. By the way...your studio looks great! It has really come along nicely. And great commentary on the Avante.

[@RCKickschannel]

A M38 Wild Willy is cool 👍🏻 Hope you find a good one. I’ve still to restore my Hotshot but even in its current condition it’s fun to drive.

[@perfectsplit5515]

As much as I disliked my Avante, I have to admit that the steering linkage was really good, and even better than that of my Schumacher CAT. The diameter of the steering bellcrank bearing was larger than the distance from the plane of the chassis to the plane of rotation of the bellcrank. That way, there was practically no bending moment in the vertical fastener which held the bellrank on. With the Schumacher CAT, it is the other way around. The distance from the plane of the chassis to the plane of rotation of the bellcrank is larger than the diameter of the bellcrank bearing. This creates a bending moment in the vertical fastener holding the bellcrank. The Avante had good shocks also, and I even used its front shocks on my JRX2 when its shock tower cracked.

[@tinolederer1709]

Hi Gavin, nice video as always 🙂. Where do you look for vintage Tamiya cars? Ebay? I'm looking for boxed kits. Thanks in advance.

[@whome7004]

Good Video I understand the love u have for your love off the hobby

[@johnwindsor9069]

Never meet your heros is a understatement for me. Just sold off a lot of Tamiya vintage and re-re cars that I always wanted as a kid, including an Avante. Most of Tamiya iconic cars are really poor runners, but look fantastic sitting still. Kyosho's recent re-releases have shown me what I was missing in my youth, and now own several of their iconic masterpieces.

[@supersingular]

Which Kyosho would you say is the best one of all?

[@johnwindsor9069]

@@supersingular 4wd- Turbo Optima with all its gold anodized bits. 2wd-Turbo Scorpion or Ultima, its kind of a tie between the two, both are brilliant kits.

[@philmoffett366]

Talking exactly what I was always thinking!👍 Good video I was always under the impression that "avante" stood for advance technology but the new mk2 ones just aren't ( just my opinion) my 2011 I put the torque splitter, ball diffs and upgrade steering in it and that was is standard in the black special when I built my one! but again like you say it doesn't really warrant the extra cost not when I can buy the hop-ups cheaper🤷‍♂️

[@marktomlin7199]

I really don't care about the speed I love there bringing the vintage back

[@nicholastory9449]

I found an original Avante 2001 body kit on eBay (not cheap!!!), and bought a re release Egress kit, plus a beautiful late model Reedy modified brushed motor (Kr), a Keyence limitless brushed ESC, as well as Tamiya dual block tyres and white wheels. The result looks better than anything contemporary or vintage, it’s just a beautiful, slightly weird, very Japanese design. I’ll send you photos.

[@RCKickschannel]

Cool, love to see it Nicolas. If you take parts from all the Avante cars, you can make a really strong runner car. This is what I’m going to do for my runner Avante.

[@nicholastory9449]

RCKicks 👍🏻

[@notrcmaskedmaster4374]

✌🏻😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿in your opinion which is the best buggy? Strong and fast is what we are looking for. Any ideas?

[@uncletom1971]

Great review and comparison of the avante chassis, thanks. What is the weight of the Avante 2011 without motor & battery?

[@RCKickschannel]

Not sure as it goes, I would have to check with some scales.

[@leehurst6922]

The black special has the same drive train as the egress. Ball diffs and optional torque splitter. Hence the more expensive price

[@RCKickschannel]

Spot on Lee 👍🏻 Do you think it’s just that as the price is a lot more over a default 2011 Avante?

[@rnichol22]

One thing I love is that Tamiya nailed the original colours, they ALL for me look their best in box art. Show me any bommerang, hornet, grasshopper hotshotetc that looks better painted in a different colour. Avante MK2 looks like another companies cheap copy

[@RCKickschannel]

Yep that’s how I feel about the Mk2. It should be full of carbon and anodised aluminium chassis and parts. Forged carbon should have been used in the Avante MKII to really show its status and cutting edge design. I know this would made the kit expensive but wasn’t the original Avante kits the same.

[@nicholastory9449]

You should do a comparison between the Egress and the Avante 2001

[@RCKickschannel]

The twat I am I forgot to talk about the Egress in the video. Personally the ReRe Egress was the best evolution of this chassis for performance and handling.

[@perfectsplit5515]

Egress - Avante 2001 - Turbo Optima - Optima Mid - shootout!

[@adamminchinton]

Super nice summary and Avante collection, but I just don't get excited as everyone else about Avantes. I have a re re Egress, it's just better and less pain 😊 Keep up the great videos!

[@RCKickschannel]

Forgot to talk about the Egress. Sorry about that.

[@adamminchinton]

@@RCKickschannel no stress, to purists the Egress isn't an Avante anyway lol 😁

[@perfectsplit5515]

@@adamminchinton "to purists the Egress isn't an Avante anyway" Of course - it doesn't have the fragile Avante suspension arms that cannot withstand a single collision!

[@dave691974]

Love the Avante , the frog's looking like it's getting close to being done.

[@RCKickschannel]

Hi David, yep the “Neglected Frog project” is ticking along. I’m doing it off camera as I have just finished a Frog build on the channel so it’s nothing new for viewers.

[@jwcottam]

Just curious - why not include the Egress in this video?

[@RCKickschannel]

Because I’m an idiot and forgot about the Egress

[@markkokojenko1900]

Haha....

[@jwcottam]

@@RCKickschannel Oh well, don't be so hard on yourself! Thanks for the videos.

[@bamboozledbob3298]

23:20 Imagine if they did a carbon double deck version of this. Thing is, it's not even hard to do that, at minimum you'd need 4 aluminium threaded tubes and the Carbon upper and lower deck (similar to the Top Force). Along with the DF-03MS dampers and carbon damper stays this would've been an amazing buggy and more worthy of it's ancestors. Too bad, as I really like the compact design of the chassis.

[@nicholastory9449]

Agreed re MkII. The best thing going for the MkII, is it’s an interesting comparison of the evolution of the hobby. But they should never have released a low range buggy with that name on it. But I do love tamiya’s passion to SCALE, and what I think doesn’t get talked about enough - how great Tamiya always was at capturing what we wanted to see in buggies AESTHETICALLY. All their original buggies are beautiful, a bit weird / esoteric, which I think is very Japanese. Yes, they are not design to be competitive, but they are designed to be AWESOME. And they are so much fun to drive as light bashers. Also - these days SCALE is a whole niche of the hobby with rock crawling etc. I think Tamiya invented SCALE in RC. The idea that everything is designed to look scale correct. And the engineering is cool, esoteric, but COOL. :)

[@nicholastory9449]

Of course! :) maybe I’ve stretched the usage of the word, ;) - my understanding of the word esoteric is that it’s usually used in relation to literature, but its general meaning is ‘not in the popular style’. I suppose what I mean is Tamiya as WE love it is not really what is popular now, kids want Traxxas etc. so Tamiya is not only not the norm, but is more awesome than the norm. An esoteric novel often becomes a classic as opposed to what is popular at the time. Traxxas is like 50 Shades of Grey in my opinion ;)

[@nicholastory9449]

Mark - dictionary says - ‘ intended for a small number of people with a specialized knowledge of a subject. ‘ so we’re both in the ballpark :)

[@nicholastory9449]

Mark - I think a design or artwork that is ‘authored’ can be esoteric :)

[@nicholastory9449]

There’s a broad definition of esoteric that sort of applies to what I was saying - a very specific thing that appeals only to people who have an in depth knowledge of that thing, but there’s also a popular definition that relates to religious philosophy. I meant the first one. But maybe ‘niche’ is a better word. Niche collectibles within the context of an industry that is dominated by Chinese and American companies who have moved on - how’s that? ;)

[@RCKickschannel]

I love your comment “ designed to be awesome” and I guess that’s the best way to define Tamiya RC cars. Not the best on track, but to look cool, interesting and above all to make you smile. Could you even go as far to say some have a character?

[@gazfish6621]

I've got a dark impact an I drives like an absolute champ handles well jumps well lovely buggy but I get what you mean giving it an avante name doesn't make it an avante it lacks the pedigree I'm afraid

[@VestedUTuber]

The whole thing with the DF-03 based Avante MKII and Aero Avante is that they're designed as larger, RC versions of Mini4WD cars. There are Mini4WD cars of the exact same names and body designs. The Fire Dragon and Dual Ridge are also cars that fall under this category.

[@evo4ralliart]

Avante mk2 with a cheap eBay 9t combo and you will love it

[@nickdeadman4942]

Gavin, Is that not knowing your RC from your elbow !! 😂😂

[@jacobalten]

Hello! My name is Jacob. I am new to the R.C vehicle hobby. i am wondering which buggy would be a good choice for starting out. thank you

[@RCKickschannel]

For off-road I would go for a Frog or Boomerang and for road use, a TT02 chassis car.

[@jacobalten]

@@RCKickschannel Gavin, thank you for responding quickly. I have researched the vehicles, I like the FROG the best. Does all of the components come with it? Do i need to buy a remote control or anything else? I appreciate any feedback. Where do you buy most of your vehicles for your collection? EBAY OR AMAZON????

[@RCKickschannel]

@@jacobalten You will need a battery, charger, remote and receiver as well as a servo. You will also need paint for the body.

[@jacobalten]

Would you recommend the Tamiya paint for best results

[@RCKickschannel]

@@jacobalten Tamiya or Core-RC but you need to get the polycarbonate versions for the Frog.

[@kshaw8494]

Just a observation I would rather see close ups of chassis etc as you voice over. Think people want to see the cars. 👍

[@marktomlin7199]

That is awesome 👍

[@zosozoso2]

What about the Aero Avante? :-)

[@user-mfsc-2024]

how it compare with modern rc buggy car ?

[@leehurst6922]

What about egress

[@rcalltypes8230]

Lol, Tamiya couldn’t resist with the Avante. The DF02 & DF03 chassis’s have an Avante in there line up. There like real cars the name is the same, but the newer car isn’t even close, totally different car.

[@Mark_5150]

You forgot the Comical Avante. 😉

[@perfectsplit5515]

The original Avante WAS comical. The suspension arms were so fragile that they could not withstand a single collision. Not to mention it was the heaviest and slowest car with the worst weight distribution in RCCA's 4WD shootout, coming in dead last. The only thing it had going for it was its looks. I was glad I could actually sell my busted Avante on EBay for over $100.

[@aviano72]

One word: G11 :)

[@georgethimakis8143]

Over engineered, over priced, not particularly fast or reliable. I still want one though. One of the best looking vintage RV cars of all time.

[@RCKickschannel]

LOL so true George LOL but that’s partly why the car is so special.

[@georgethimakis8143]

RCKicks hurry up and build the turbo optima. You’ll love it

[@kapokee]

Why is the jungle in your house?

[@RCKickschannel]

My Cool Wall has extra capacity that will be filled over the coming year. I needed something to fill the space as well as add some colour. I’m still playing with the studio lighting layout.

[@billobrien3676]

I was 30... :-(

[@nicholastory9449]

You do realize that the Avante 2001 is essentially a customized Egress?

[@RCKickschannel]

I don’t have an original Egress so I can’t see how close it was to the 2001. Original Egress came out 29 June 1989, the Avante 2001 came out 19 June 1990 so it follows that improvements from the Egress went into the 2001 for sure.

[@nicholastory9449]

RCKicks the two chassis are identical. It’s the same car with a different shell, wheels and shocks.

[@nicholastory9449]

Compare your 2001 and re re Egress

[@RCKickschannel]

Nicholas Tory Hi, just had a look. Bumper is different, bumper and front arm mount is different, shocks and front shock mount is different along with the front centre section. The front uprights are different obviously but that’s well known due to constant failure. Top deck and lower deck are the same. Drive shafts are different as are the rear uprights. I think most of the things that are different above are because of the ReRe. I think you are spot on about the vintage Egress and 2001 being almost the same vs say the front bumper and one or two really small things.

[@nicholastory9449]

RCKicks Interesting to here the differences! A few more differences than I realised.

[@johnbasterson7938]

Tamiya is the biggest joke in RC in 2019. Yeah let's spend 300++++ dollars on pieces of garbage that either break 26 times per run or sit on a shelf. 26 is if all 4 tires never leave the ground. You start taking 1-2 inch jumps and that 26 explodes to 'total loss' every time you drive the car.

[@tahustvedt]

In my opinion the Avanti is a disaster. A gorgeous engireering disaster. It has silly oversized metal rod ends and crashback, but then it also has fragile undersized plastic bits, silly steering linkages and terrible layout. I love it and want one, and would buy the rere in a hearbeat if it wasn't ridiculously expensive. A Kyosho Optima Mid or Schumacher Cat XLS/Procat would run rings around it, and still are good cars today.

[@RCKickschannel]

100% agree with you. That's why I have an RERE XLS and RERE kyosho Turbo Optima in the collection but my daily is a Schumacher Cat K1 Aero and Traxxas TRX4 but don't tell any of the hardcore Tamiya fans.

[@richardowden5546]

Avante's were so over rated, didn't see them on the track back in the late 80's early 90's because they couldn't compete with any of the other 4wd buggies. Lazer zx and cats absolutely dominated the tracks and were so much cheaper and better designed

[@RCKickschannel]

Yep the Avante was never a track star. My Schumacher Cat K1 Aero is a pin sharp out and out racer but it lacks the personality unfortunately if that makes any sense.

[@keithrx3c]

I was thinking the same thing, the Lazer ZX was a good car but did have its faults. The Lazer would be another worthy Kyosho for your collection later on Gavin.