7 Powerful and Fast Nitro RC Cars

The price of some nitro powered models can come as a shock to the uninitiated. Most are significantly pricier than their electric counterparts. Some have ‘items needed to complete’ lists. It’s not only the initial cost either. You must consider the maintenance and general upkeep too. They guzzle fuel rather than drain rechargeable batteries. They need oil and other fluids as well.

There are more safety concerns with nitro remote-controlled cars than their electric counterparts. The fuel is not only highly flammable but toxic too. Manufacturers build these cars for speed, and so hard-impact collisions carry a fire risk. It’s why racing nitro-powered vehicles away from people and buildings is so vital. Open outdoor spaces—preferably purpose made tracks—is the best practice.

Nitro RC cars pollute by the fumes they emit and the noise they make. They’re much louder than electric models, so drivers must be considerate of where they race.

Nitro cars are not for the faint-hearted. They have incredible power and fast top speeds that require skill to control. There’s also the added pressure of carrying flammable fuel. The faster one hopes to drive, the higher the risk of crashing. Model makers can’t include a set of driving skills in the box with the product. Drivers must develop their abilities through continual effort and commitment.

It’s not a good idea to let kids start their RC adventure with nitro-fueled models. Every vehicle has a maker’s recommended minimum age that I include that in the reviews.

Electric RC cars don’t need much work unless you’re into customization and tweaking. Nitro cars, though, require lots of maintenance. That’s half the fun for most enthusiasts, but it may come as a shock to beginners. Each time you race there’s refueling to do, and battery checks for the receiver and servos. Other checks include tires, air filter, and glow plugs. Then there’s the post-race care.

All this fiddling around is going to be something you love or detest. It’s common for the uninitiated to overlook the maintenance and running costs of nitro models.

There are many types of nitro RC cars to choose from though not as many as electric models. Typical vehicles include buggies, monster trucks, short course, on-road racers, etc. Replicas come in many scale sizes (see next) from 1:16 through to 1:5. You can buy them as ready to run (RTR) or in kit form. The latter is for more experienced kit builders who know what they’re doing.

Models that are replicas of actual vehicles have a scale size. They’re smaller than the real thing, and the scale number lets you know by how much. Ignoring the scale size of RC vehicles is a frequent mistake by those who shop online. The sales pages rarely show people or things close to the model to compare it against. That’s deliberate, especially with smaller models they want to beef up.

User reviews often gripe about the size, though it’s usually buyer error. They complain that the car is much bigger or way smaller than they thought it would be. That’s why it’s vital to note the scale size and the product dimensions for each model.

Scale sizes can read 1:10 or 1/10, but it’s the same thing. The first number is always a ‘1’ and represents 1-inch. So, in this example, 1” of the model is equal to 10 inches (second number) of the real vehicle. The smaller the second number, the closer (bigger) the replica is to the actual car or truck size. A 1:2 scale would be half the size, though most models only get to 1:5 scale at best.

New users should consider a smaller scale vehicle. Get a ready-to-run (RTR) nitro-powered model for your first truck or car. RTR options are less fuss and should come with easy instructions. Those who get the “nitro bug’ may want to experiment in other areas later, like aircraft. Nitro planes and helis are a whole new ballgame, though, and nothing for this guide.