Whether you're buying your very first RC vehicle or upgrading to something faster and more capable, choosing the right radio control model can seem overwhelming. With so many styles, sizes and performance levels available, it's important to find an RC that's suited to your experience, where you'll be driving and, most importantly, how much fun you want to have!

At Hobby Vault, we stock a fantastic range of Maverick, Traxxas and Tamiya radio control vehicles, along with the batteries, chargers, spare parts and accessories you need to keep your RC adventure going. 

First, Ask Yourself These Questions

Before choosing an RC vehicle, think about:

• Where will you be driving? Backyard, local park, dirt tracks, skate parks or pavement?
• Are you completely new to RC or an experienced driver?
• Would you prefer a Ready-to-Run (RTR) model or enjoy building your own RC kit?
• Do you want speed, jumping ability, racing performance or all-terrain capability?
• What's your budget?
• Will you eventually want to customise and upgrade your vehicle?

Answering these questions will help narrow down the perfect RC for your needs.

Ready-to-Run or Build It Yourself?

One of the first decisions you'll make is whether you want a Ready-to-Run (RTR) vehicle or an assembly kit.

Ready-to-Run (RTR) models, such as those from Maverick and Traxxas, come pre-assembled and are ideal for anyone wanting to charge the battery, head outside and start driving.

RC Assembly Kits, such as those from Tamiya, offer a rewarding building experience. You'll assemble the chassis, suspension, gearbox and drivetrain yourself before adding the body and electronics. They're perfect for hobbyists who enjoy understanding how their RC works and take pride in building it from the ground up.

Many RC enthusiasts find assembling their own kit is just as enjoyable as driving it.

Understanding RC Vehicle Types

Monster Trucks

Monster trucks are one of the most popular choices for beginners and experienced drivers alike. Their oversized tyres, high ground clearance and rugged suspension allow them to tackle grass, gravel, dirt and rough terrain with ease.

Great for:

• Off-road adventures
• Big jumps
• Backyard fun
• All-terrain driving

Monster trucks are a popular choice within both the Maverick and Traxxas ranges.

Stadium Trucks

Stadium trucks offer the perfect balance between speed and off-road capability. Their lower centre of gravity gives them sharper handling while still being able to handle rough terrain and jumps.

Ideal for:

• Parks
• Dirt tracks
• Fast cornering
• Weekend racing

Short Course Trucks

Inspired by real off-road racing trucks, these vehicles feature realistic body styling and enclosed wheels while delivering excellent handling on dirt and gravel.

Perfect for:

• Racing friends
• Loose surfaces
• High-speed driving
• Realistic appearance

Racing Buggies

RC buggies are lightweight, agile and built for speed. They feature low ground clearance and excellent suspension, making them perfect for prepared dirt tracks, hard-packed surfaces and racing.

Tamiya has built its reputation around legendary buggy kits that have inspired generations of RC enthusiasts. Whether you're recreating iconic classics or building one of Tamiya's modern competition-inspired designs, their buggies provide an enjoyable assembly experience and fantastic driving performance.

Best for:

• Racing
• Speed
• Dirt tracks
• Hobbyists who enjoy building their own models

Touring & Racing Cars

If smooth roads, driveways or dedicated RC tracks are more your style, an on-road touring car is an excellent option.

Tamiya's range of touring car kits offers realistic body styles based on popular sports cars, touring cars and iconic racing machines from around the world. These kits combine precision engineering with detailed scale bodies, making them equally enjoyable to build, display and drive.

Perfect for:

• Car parks
• Asphalt
• RC racing clubs
• Scale model enthusiasts

Rock Crawlers

For those who enjoy technical driving rather than outright speed, rock crawlers are built to slowly climb over rocks, logs and challenging obstacles using specialised suspension and high-torque motors.

Ideal for:

• Trail driving
• Outdoor adventures
• Obstacle courses
• Scale realism

Choosing the Right Scale

The "scale" of an RC vehicle refers to how much smaller it is than the real vehicle.

1/18 Scale

Compact and easy to transport.

Best for:

• Smaller backyards
• Beginners
• Younger drivers

1/16 Scale

A great balance between portability and performance.

Ideal for:

• Parks
• Driveways
• Smaller outdoor spaces

1/10 Scale

The most popular RC size available and the scale used by many Traxxas, Maverick and Tamiya models.

Benefits include:

• Excellent stability
• Huge range of upgrade parts
• Strong aftermarket support
• Suitable for almost every driving style

Whether you're buying a monster truck, buggy or touring car, 1/10 scale offers outstanding versatility.

Maverick RC: Great Value and Beginner Friendly

Maverick vehicles are designed to deliver maximum fun at an affordable price.

They're ideal for:

• First-time RC owners
• Families
• Younger drivers
• Anyone looking for excellent value

Durable construction and straightforward maintenance make Maverick a fantastic introduction to the RC hobby.

Traxxas RC: Built for Performance

Traxxas has become one of the world's leading RC brands thanks to its innovative technology, exceptional durability and impressive performance.

Many Traxxas vehicles feature:

• Waterproof electronics
• Brushless power options
• Incredible speed
• Advanced battery systems
• Extensive upgrade possibilities

They're perfect for hobbyists wanting premium performance straight out of the box.

Tamiya RC Kits: Build, Learn and Drive

Tamiya has been inspiring hobbyists for decades with some of the world's most respected RC assembly kits.

Unlike Ready-to-Run models, Tamiya kits let you experience every stage of the hobby, from carefully assembling the chassis and suspension to fitting the body, applying decals and completing the final build.

Whether you choose one of Tamiya's iconic off-road buggies or a detailed touring car, you'll gain a greater understanding of how your RC works while enjoying the satisfaction of driving a vehicle you've built yourself.

Tamiya kits are ideal for:

• Hobbyists who enjoy building
• Families wanting a rewarding project together
• Scale model enthusiasts
• Drivers looking to customise and upgrade their RC over time

Electric Power Makes RC Easy

Today, electric RC vehicles are the preferred choice for most hobbyists.

Benefits include:

• Simple maintenance
• Instant acceleration
• Quiet operation
• Easy charging
• Reliable performance

Maverick, Traxxas and Tamiya all offer outstanding electric-powered RC vehicles suitable for beginners through to experienced enthusiasts.

Batteries, Chargers and Spare Parts

Choosing the right battery and charger is just as important as selecting the vehicle itself.

Whether you need an additional battery for longer driving sessions, a faster charger or replacement components after an adventurous day outdoors, Hobby Vault has you covered.

We stock a wide range of:

• Genuine Maverick spare parts
• Genuine Traxxas spare parts
• Tamiya replacement components
• Batteries
• Chargers
• Performance upgrades
• Wheels and tyres
• Suspension components
• Accessories and maintenance products

Keeping your RC in top condition means more time driving and less time waiting. If you cannot find the part your looking for on our website, feel free to reach out and our Service Team will be happy to assist.

Which RC Is Right for You?

Here's a quick guide to help you decide:

• Choose Maverick if you're after an affordable, durable Ready-to-Run vehicle that's perfect from beginners to advanced drivers.
• Choose Traxxas if you want premium performance, advanced technology and exceptional durability with plenty of upgrade options.
• Choose Tamiya if you enjoy building as much as driving and want the satisfaction of assembling your own high-quality buggy or touring car before taking it out on the road or track.

Still have questions or need assistance?

Our dedicated Customer Service Team is here to help our fellow hobbyists, if you need any assistance or have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us!