Tamiya started their business in 1948 and is still in business today! They produce RC cars, plastic models, model paints, and more. But are Tamiya RC cars good? In this post, we will take a close look at Tamiya RC cars and trucks to see if they are a brand you’d like to add to your RC car collections.
Are Tamiya RC cars Any Good?
Tamiya builds a wide range of RC vehicles. They sell the following RC vehicles:
- RC Cars
- RC Drift Cars
- RC Buggies
- RC Trucks
- RC Tanks
- RC 18 Wheelers
No matter what type of RC vehicle you are looking for, Tamiya will have something you have to add to your collection. Tamiya is known for building high quality car kits where you can customize the vehicle from the ground up. In my opinion, Tamiya is an excellent RC car brand. You can’t stay in business for 75 years unless you produce a high quality product.
So, my answer is yes, Tamiya RC cars are high quality and a great RC car brand.
Are Tamiya RC Car Kits Good?
One thing to note when looking at Tamiya RC products is they mostly sell RC car kits. When you buy an RC car kit, you must purchase the following:
- RC Transmitter and Receiver
- Steering Servo
- Motor and Electronic Speed Controller
- Battery and Charger
- Paint
Unlike other brands, like Traxxas, Arrma, or Redcat, Tamiya kits must be assembled and painted. They don’t come ready to roll out of the box.
But, when you build an RC car from a kit, you get to customize every component. You can pair up your ESC and Motor, pick out your steering servo, and pick out your own transmitter.
Tamiya makes excellent RC car kits, and many are built based off real life cars.
The Subaru WRX RC car kit below is an example of the quality of Tamiya RC car kits. This is such a cool looking car!
Check out our post if you’re not sure if you should build a car from a kit.
Are Tamiya RC Drift Car Kits Good?
One of the most popular drift chassis is built by Tamiya, and it is called the TT02D drift chassis. This is an upgraded drift chassis compared to the previous chassis model, the TT02. So, look for the D on the end of the model number for the latest and greatest version.
Most of Tamiya’s drift car kits are built on the TT02D 4 Wheel Drive drift spec kit. The kit is set up for drifting. The TT02D drift chassis comes with drift tech tires and double wishbone suspension on both the front and rear of the chassis. The suspension is tuned perfectly by Tamiya specifically for RC drifting.
Tamiya Nissan Skyline GTR TT02D
I think the Tamiya 1/10 scale Nissan Skyline GTR is one of my favorite kits from Tamiya. It is such a classic body and looks so cool drifting.
Are Tamiya RC Cars Good FAQs
Can I Use My Own Transmitter With A Tamiya RC Car?
If you have been driving RC cars for a long time, you may own a transmitter. Since Tamiya makes car kits, you can use your own Transmitter with a Tamiya kit. All you need to buy is a receiver that is compatible with your transmitter.
I think using your own transmitter is a major plus when it comes to building a Tamiya RC car from a kit. You don’t have to pay for a transmitter like you do when buying an Arrma or Traxxas ready to roll car. Plus, you won’t have a bunch of transmitters lying around the garage that is paired to one specific vehicle.
Is It Hard to Put a Tamiya RC Car Together?
The answer to this question depends on how much free time you have to invest in the hobby.
Anytime you buy an RC that you build yourself, you are going to have to take it slow and read the instructions. It takes time to put these vehicles together.
You will also need basic knowledge of the different parts and electrical components.
You have to pick compatible motors and electronic speed controllers (ESC). So, not every electric motor will be compatible with every ESC. Make sure to research the compatibility between these two parts.
The battery you choose must also be compatible with your motor and ESC. Certain ESCs and motor combinations run on LiPos, while others run on NiCad or NiMH batteries.
You also need a tool kit that has a variety of different hex heads.
So, it’s not hard to put these cars together. Anyone can do it. But, you will need patience and probably watch a few YouTube videos. The key takeaway here is to do your research and take your time assembling the vehicle.
Does Tamiya Make RC Trucks?
Yes, Tamiya makes a variety of RC trucks. They have replica models of Toyota and Ford Trucks. Tamiya also makes a scale model of the Mercedes-Benx Unimog.
Does Tamiya Make Ready-To-Run RC cars?
Yes, Tamiya makes many different ready-to-run RC cars and buggies. Some of Tamiya’s models include scale replicas of real life cars like the Lamborghini Countach prototype or the Mazda Roaster. Other models Tamiya sells are based of their own proprietary designs, like the Plasma Edge and the Dual Ridge.
Conclusion for Are Tamiya RC Cars Good
I think Tamiya makes great RC cars and they have been doing so since 1948. But, Tamiya is a specialized RC car manufacturer. They only have a select few models that are ready to run. Tamiya RC cars are for serious RC car drivers because their different chassis platforms are so specialized for specific driving. I certainly don’t think of a basher RC truck when I think of Tamiya.
So, if you are looking for RC car kits, drifting platforms, tanks, 18 wheelers, or any other specialty RC car, go check out Tamiya RC cars on Amazon. They have a ton of cool vehicles to choose from, and you can find a lot of YouTube videos online for reference. Happy driving!
