This was posted 2 years 6 months 7 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Tamiya Hornet 2004 1/10 Off-Road RC Kit $127.99 (eBay Plus $124.79) Delivered @ Metro Hobbies Ebay

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Tamiya Hornet 2004 1/10 Off-Road RC Kit $127.99 (eBay Plus $124.79) Delivered @ Metro Hobbies Ebay
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tokimonkey on 24/06/2022 - 09:52 ebay.com.au (1699 clicks)
Last edited 24/06/2022 - 12:56 by 1 other user
PLUSFY22SAFY20

Cheapest price I've seen on the Hornet. Everyone wanted one of these when we were kids.

Just note that this is the RC Car without Radio gear, Battery and ESC. Those will need to be purchased separately. Does come with Servo's and motor.
Showing 7 in stock as of posting.

The revolutionary 1984 2WD off-road buggy is back and more fun than ever before! The Hornet stands as one of Tamiya's most popular R/C cars ever released, helping launch a 2WD R/C buggy boom worldwide. Featuring excellent performance on both dirt and on-road tracks, this awesome buggy can take on any type of terrain. Just like the original, this re-release features an easy to assemble chassis and drivetrain consisting of a durable but lightweight ABS resin bathtub frame, diff gear loaded sealed gearbox, oil filled rear dampers, powerful RS 540 motor and high performance suspension system. The Hornet is perfect for those that uséd to have one, those that have always wanted one, and for those that want a revolutionary buggy that has earned its place in R/C history.

REQUIRES
2-Channel Radio Control Unit with receiver
NiMH Battery and appropriate charger
Batteries for RC transmitter
Requires Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)

Original Coupon Deal

Toys & Kids Remote Control Car TAMIYA

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closed Comments

  • 87percent on 24/06/2022 - 09:54
    +14

    i had one of these when i was a kid.. drove it one time down my neighbours driveway onto the road, and a car came and ran over it… i was devastated

    • WhyAmICommenting on 24/06/2022 - 10:15
      +4

      (Semi serious) How’s the trauma from that experience, you all good now? Or are you still buying bargains to make up for your sense of loss?

      • 87percent on 24/06/2022 - 10:25
        +4

        it crushed me.. worst part was trying to convince my dad to get me another one but nope, never got another one

        • wrxant on 24/06/2022 - 10:45
          +2

          I'm mid 40s and I had The Grasshopper when I was a kid, got it from Hong Kong when my unclde went on a business trip. I expect in today's dollars these Tamiya RC cars would have more in the order of $1.5-$2k in 2022 bucks… I suspect they're not built the same necessarily as the way they were but $159.99 is way cheaper than back in the olden days hahaha

          • dirtybigbjelke on 24/06/2022 - 11:11
            +1

            @wrxant: Everybody got them in HK! with the English instructions photocopied :) Same as VCR's my neighbours bought theirs in HK too.

          • Banj0 on 24/06/2022 - 11:29
            +4

            @wrxant: I know right? $160 for one of these seems like nothing. I'm sure that hasn't changed much since I was a kid (and weren't they NiCad batteries then? So they're even better now)!

            I was 'loaned' a Frog by a local store in a small town for a week or so - would have been around the early to mid 80's. I really wanted one for myself so badly. They were very pricey though. I couldn't afford it myself on paper delivery rounds, and was never given one.

            Fast forward to the 2000's when we had our son, and I didn't wait very long before buying a hobby grade RC "for him" ;-) I think he was driving them by age 2. We have a bit of a collection now.

            • eskimokiss on 24/06/2022 - 12:16
              +2

              @Banj0: So jealous!
              I wanted the Frog so badly as a kid in the 80s. I used to drool over the package artwork and even drew the frog on a t-shirt for a school project. Considering sourcing a re-release for my 6 year old who already has a number of cheap RC cars from kmart (mostly the monster truck variety)

            • Shane034 on 24/06/2022 - 13:14

              @Banj0: Did frogs run on petrol? I remember waving the white flag when my cousin's got them for Christmas lol

              • Banj0 on 24/06/2022 - 15:14
                +1

                @Shane034: The model I was loaned was NiCad. Country town toy store owner had assembled it but then muffed up the paint job, and asked me if I could paint it up (I was into building and painting up plastic models). Of course, I'd never seen a polycarbonate shell before, and didn't know the first thing about painting them (do it on the inside stupid!)…so it was pretty rough, but ok from a distance.

                There was a festival in the town, and I was to drive the model around the main street a bit with the hope of drumming up some sales. I remember driving it under another kid's bike, and they rode straight over the top of it. I was very worried as I was sure it would be broken - but nope, took it like a champ!

                Much sadness when I had to give it back after a couple of weeks!

                • Shane034 on 24/06/2022 - 20:12

                  @Banj0: Ah ok. I had an aero phantom from memory. Which was basically junk compared to the frog though. Different league.

          • bboz on 24/06/2022 - 11:41
            +4

            @wrxant: "The Grasshopper"

            Christ you've just triggered some memories right there!

          • pauliau on 24/06/2022 - 12:26
            +1

            @wrxant: I think i remember those various Tamiya buggies being around $400-600 back in the early 90's. That would put them at around $1000 in todays $$ I couldn't afford that so i went with the cut price Tyco copy 'Jet Hopper' instead which was still around $300.

            • penno2 on 24/06/2022 - 14:55
              +1

              @pauliau: Those Jet hoppers sure churned through the batteries! I had one set of AA nicads, had to wait eight hours for those things to recharge.

              • pauliau on 24/06/2022 - 19:35
                +1

                @penno2: Yep, i remember that well. It also went through front bumper bars / suspension parts almost as fast as the batteries. My local hobby shop made a killing out of me on spare parts.

        • WhyAmICommenting on 24/06/2022 - 10:45

          I think I had a similar car but it probably just died mechanically.

      • Feelsbad on 24/06/2022 - 12:21
        +2

        He was so angry that his hair turned gold and his username was born.

    • timmof on 24/06/2022 - 11:30

      Feel your pain brother. I took mine down to the local BMX track and broke the suspension… :(

    • Donaldhump on 24/06/2022 - 12:04

      sorry about that, i tried to stop

  • RDY4ME on 24/06/2022 - 09:56
    +3

    I have one of the originals in my garage; great fun

  • JuryWheel on 24/06/2022 - 09:59
    +1

    Tamiya ftw! What has changed with regards to these cars since the early 90s….?

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:02

      Better Speed Controllers & Batteries.

      I have an original Wild Willy from @ 1984, as well as the updated model released @ a decade ago.

    • tokimonkey on 24/06/2022 - 10:03

      They've been re-releasing all the classics. Biggest difference is most come pre built. The speed controllers are now digital instead of the old analogue servo driven ones.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:05

        My Re-released Wild Willy, still required assembly, but less parts than the original.

  • figarow on 24/06/2022 - 10:03
    +4

    Everyone wanted one of these when we were kids.

    Jet Hopper for my vintage.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTGOBbqW1cA

    • tokimonkey on 24/06/2022 - 10:05
      +3

      hahaha, the good ol Red or Yellow 8 AA Battery RC. We use to put water on the kitchen Lino and do burnouts

    • LloydGSR on 24/06/2022 - 10:33
      +1

      Wow that's a flashback, we had one of them in the late 80s, it'd still be at Mum and Dad's place in a box somewhere.

      I lost count of the number of times I saw Dad repairing the front suspension and steering arms with hot glue guns and 'splints' made of wire. It had a very hard life.

    • prhino on 24/06/2022 - 13:21
      +1

      I had one. I remember having to wait 14 hours for the batteries to charge after I got it.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:03

    Just remember, you still need:-
    * 2-Channel Radio Control Unit with receiver
    * NiMH Battery and appropriate charger
    * Batteries for RC transmitter
    * Requires Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)

    • Johno20045 on 24/06/2022 - 10:12
      +2

      I've wanted one of these ever since I was a kid!

      How much does all the extra stuff you need to buy cost?

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:19
        +1

        Control unit @ 60-100
        Battery @30-60
        Batteries - Raid your collection of AA Eneloops
        ESC = @ 20-40

        Sorry they maybe cheaper or dearer, but I am trying to remember what I paid for them @ 4 years ago.
        More expensive transmitters can control a few different devices

  • reactor-au on 24/06/2022 - 10:11
    +1

    I had one of these like 25 years ago, my first foray into RC

  • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 10:13

    Am I correct in thinking that these won't handle a brushless motor?

    I'm interested in the strengths and weaknesses of a car like this compared to something like a WLToys 144001 or HBX 16889a for anyone who's used them.

    • hippo2s on 24/06/2022 - 10:33

      From vague memory the problem was the motor mount plate, you need to upgrade it with a hot up option to one made with metal so it can take aftermarket motors. At the time it was…. not too sure with modern day motors now.

      • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 10:42
        +1

        I thought the plastic drive gears were an issue?

        • hippo2s on 25/06/2022 - 08:37

          I vaguely recall also upgrading the pinion gear (think that's what it was called), yes to an aluminium one. The main spur gear wheel (again naming?) the big one was ok to stay plastic. You wouldn't want metal to metal gear grinding.

    • sp0rk on 24/06/2022 - 12:22

      The difference between this and the models you've mentioned is that Tamiya basically are the pioneers of this industry, the Hornet has been made since the mid 80s with occasional upgrades
      You're going to get a lot more support and genuine/aftermarket parts for Tamiya models, and from experience name brand models last much longer

    • hippo2s on 25/06/2022 - 08:39

      If you want to get into RC from this period…it's better to go RC-10 …again so long ago I think that's what they were called. Much better aftermarket support and parts.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:16

    I just saw this is the Ebay storefront for Frontline Hobbies. Terrible after sales service. They make HN staff look good.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2022 - 11:22
      +1

      Metro Hobbies = Frontline Hobbies? Where did you get that information from?

      When did (why did) Frontline turn to sh!t? I grew up in Newcastle and that was THE place to go.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 12:14

        I've been shopping there since the old couple owned it on the Corner of Woolf St, near the Newc Perm, and even before when it was a smaller shop in King St or Hunter St?. It was called Mainly Military back then.

        When you look up the item, there was a banner down below, and the sellers name is frontlinehobbies

        I've copped plenty of bad advice from them in regards to my RC car, and then denied selling me the incorrect threadlock for it. (I couldn't locate the receipt as proof).
        One of neighbours I found out has high end RC cars, and he said the staff in the shop are not the best in regards to RC knowledge , as he used to race against them years ago.

        It's still the only place to go for that type of gear. Great range, as long as you don't need advice.

        • sp0rk on 24/06/2022 - 12:24

          Ehhhhh, I've been involved with RC cars, boats & planes for over 30 years and shopped at many outlets
          Frontline Hobbies are far from the worst I've dealt with, maybe your neighbour is one of those armchair experts who seem to think they know everything…

          • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 12:52

            @sp0rk: Your eyes probably right, but I know he has a heap of trophies.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2022 - 12:52

          I've been shopping there since the old couple owned it on the Corner of Woolf St, near the Newc Perm

          Makes us a similar vintage then ;-)

          When you look up the item, there was a banner down below, and the sellers name is frontlinehobbies

          I looked everywhere on the item page and didn't see a reference to Frontline. That's why I was asking. Are you sure that it wasn't a Google ad?

          I've copped plenty of bad advice from them in regards to my RC car, and then denied selling me the incorrect threadlock for it. (I couldn't locate the receipt as proof). One of neighbours I found out has high end RC cars, and he said the staff in the shop are not the best in regards to RC knowledge , as he used to race against them years ago.

          They don't sound like good experiences at all. I've been spoiled for choice with stores in Sydney for the last 20 years, and now I'm back in Newy it looks like Frontline or Newcastle Model Autosports (the reviews for which make Frontline look saintly) are my primary choices. I've only had positive experiences with Frontline in the past (RC boats, model railway, and Kyosho Mini-Z RC) and I'm planning to go have a look at their current digs over in Broadmeadow for the first time this weekend.

          Great range, as long as you don't need advice.

          Duly noted.

          • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 12:54
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Yes the other store is very….average.

          • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 12:57

            @[Deactivated]: I just had a look and you are correct. Nothing to do with front line. I think I must have seen front line when i did a search on items/ complete kits. I'm on my work pc, so sometimes I'm in a rush.
            My apologies.
            The firing squad is loading fresh ammo as I type.

            • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2022 - 12:59

              @BewareOfThe Dog:

              My apologies.

              All good mate

              The firing squad is loading fresh ammo as I type.

              Hahhahaha 🤣

              • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 13:06

                @[Deactivated]:

                • Makes us a similar vintage then ;-) *
                  We used to come down from the country, and I would go shopping on a Saturday. We would start at Angus & Robertson, then Toyworld (in Market Square?), a joke shop (in the Market Square Overpass), New standard radio, Mainly Military, David Jones, Waltons, KFC and usually an hour at Orbit One (pending 20c pieces). I also remember a large toy wholesaler down further.
                  Do a search on the History of Hunter St, on Soundworlds website. Spero has a great history of Hunter and King st.
                • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2022 - 13:29

                  @BewareOfThe Dog:

                  I would go shopping on a Saturday. We would start at Angus & Robertson, then Toyworld (in Market Square?), a joke shop (in the Market Square Overpass), New standard radio, Mainly Military, David Jones, Waltons,

                  Oh man! The only place that didn't ring a bell in that list was New Standard Radio.

                  Orbit One (pending 20c pieces)

                  OMG! I remember that place. Around the corner from Big Als?

                  Soundworlds website. Spero

                  WHOA!!!! EPIC FLASHBACK. As a DJ, I used to buy a lot of my vinyl and CD singles from SoundWorld in the Hunter Street Mall. When I hit the website and saw the logo at the top of the home page it was like being transported back to 1985 😀

                  • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 13:33

                    @[Deactivated]: Orbit 1 was across the Rd from the Tower Cinema in King St.

                    New Standard Radio was an electronics shop, that sold heaps of components, gadgets etc.

                    Where did you DJ? PM me the answer if you want. We probably know each other .

  • hotphil on 24/06/2022 - 10:20

    It was compulsory to have one of these when I was a kid.

    I upgraded to Thunder Shot after a while.

    • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 10:25
      +1

      maybe if you were a rich kid…

      • hippo2s on 24/06/2022 - 10:30
        +1

        If one was rich they had an Egress!

        Just googled…they are $1400!

        I had a Mad Cap, still in the attic I think and spare tyres!

        • snuke on 24/06/2022 - 14:40
          +2

          The Egress was dreamy, carbon chassis and titanium bolts etc…

          It also taught me the word "egress".

          I used Madcap as my gaming leader board name as a kid, then just MAD on machines that only allowed 3 characters.

          • hippo2s on 25/06/2022 - 08:43

            @snuke: love my madcap. broke so many parts on it then had to save up and wait for Hobbyco to order in parts for me…

            Front right suspension arm, right rear drive shaft, motor under tray…wing mount, body shell post…, was too poor to pay for new front shock tower I epoxied the thing back and kept driving it.

  • emblurr on 24/06/2022 - 10:31
    +2

    I had a Grasshopper with a Black motor sprint. Took it racing when Stawell had a race track in the 80s. Was so much fun as a kid. Brother had very modded Hot Shot. At some point during high school picked up a Wild Willy and a Monster Beetle.
    Few years ago picked up a mint Midnight Pumpkin with battery, R/C gear for $150.

    • beefsandwich on 24/06/2022 - 11:22

      I still have my Monster Beetle. I binned the original box while moving house about 10 years ago and am still kicking myself over it.

  • LaTerrible on 24/06/2022 - 11:03

    I love these, but at the same time wish there was "here's everything you need to get going kit" like what you can find for raspberry pi

    Make it easier to gift

    • SimeSp1 on 24/06/2022 - 11:35

      You can. Google search "tamiya hornet RTR ready to run". Just not all hobby stores seem to stock them. I would imagine that Metro Hobbies may be able to do a special order if you asked them.

      • LaTerrible on 24/06/2022 - 12:48

        Ready to run is the combo of words I was looking for, legend thanks

  • prhino on 24/06/2022 - 11:31
    +1

    Anybody remember the Jet Hopper?

    Cheap, mass market RC car.

    • UFO on 24/06/2022 - 13:52

      Was my favourite children's toy!!!! Loved it.

  • grimo82 on 24/06/2022 - 11:43

    still have one of these tucked away from the early 90's - although thought ours was a 'super hornet' with fluro orange wheels - no idea what the difference was??

    We use to shred tyres and hard surfaces real quick (soft compound) and split countless rear rims rendering them usless - we ended up epoxy'ing stainless washes to the face of the wheels when new to keep them going!! …… good times!

  • DGrayson82 on 24/06/2022 - 11:51

    I'd love to see someone upgrade one of these with a brushless motor and lipo's. Would probably be uncontrollable.

    • Boodek on 24/06/2022 - 12:18

      They're bad enough with an RS-540 motor, quite uncontrollable and quickly destroys tyres.

  • ttacx on 24/06/2022 - 11:52

    Still got mine from 1994. Good memories

  • sdanger100 on 24/06/2022 - 12:15

    Yep, always wanted one of these as a kid - more so because i loved this movie so much - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPpDvrgnhc8

  • astrosloth123 on 24/06/2022 - 12:17

    Great price!

    I've built a re-issue Grasshopper with metal ball bearings, torque tuned motor all powered with a 2s LiPo battery. That thing is so OP it defs put the hop in Grasshopper.

  • Boodek on 24/06/2022 - 12:20

    I think I just bought the last one…

  • shmahoo on 24/06/2022 - 13:06

    was there a "Big Bear" ?
    think I remember seeing it on Channel 10's The Early Bird Breakfast Show with Darryl Cotton and Marty Monster

    • prhino on 24/06/2022 - 13:22

      There was. A pick-up truck.

    • snuke on 24/06/2022 - 14:38

      That show is the reason I always wanted that - https://radiocontrol.fandom.com/wiki/Marui_Big_Bear_Datsun

      I asked my dad for it when he went overseas on a business trip, came back with a Playtron Lynx instead.

    • UFO on 24/06/2022 - 23:34

      I once sent about 50 self addressed envelopes to that show… and managed to get on!

      I was one of those kids who raced the RC cars around to win that RC truck with the big puffy tires.
      Bastards counted the laps wrong, I won but they said I came second… scarred me for life.
      (still got a aircraft carrier glue together model… but I was the most depressed kid ever putting it together knowing it could have been an RC truck)

      long story I know… but I needed to vent :).

      • snuke on 25/06/2022 - 12:37

        Never let go of that anger, harness it!

        Daryl hosted a handball competition and shopping mall, I entered and won my Richmond Tigers VFL scarf that I still have.

  • Penro on 24/06/2022 - 13:19
    +1

    Ah the memories… I had a hornet! Recharge for hours and hours from parent's car bar battery. Super fun for about 15+ mins, then see the RC car snail back home when the battery was about to die. Only had 1 battery… Repeat charge. Enjoy playing again!

    • hippo2s on 25/06/2022 - 08:45
      +2

      or the walk of shame into the distance when it got out of the radio range! chasing after it as it head towards the nearest pond…

  • love2buy on 24/06/2022 - 13:38

    The rendition of the vehicles on the packaging box were the bomb.

  • UFO on 24/06/2022 - 13:51
    +1

    Had a Jet Hopper… and then managed to convince my folks to buy me a Tamiya Fox that Franklins of all places was selling dirt cheap.

    Neighbour had a Hornet…. and I tell you, we were kings of the street!! :)

    Kings I tell you!

    Used to flick through the Tamiya catalogue and dream about owning a Hot Shot or Super Shot (4wd top spec cars of the day).

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 13:55

      Tamiya made great catalogues. Well worth the $5 (unless you got them for free).

  • Corgsta on 24/06/2022 - 19:35

    No way! Out of stock?! Hmm looks like it still is?

    I have my original Mad Cap, needs bearings and new battery. Might put in an ESC too. Tyres are bare too. Love it.

    • hippo2s on 25/06/2022 - 08:46

      think I have a set of original tyres sealed in bag front and rear from 90s!

  • Stuntdriver on 27/06/2022 - 07:51

    still good kits, got the midnight pumpkin moster truck for my son few years ago, half the fun is building it with them which is why these vintage kits are great.

  • Johno20045 on 29/07/2022 - 17:16

    wasn't there a version of this available in recent times that was fully constructed/painted and ready to run with controller and everything?

    • tokimonkey on 31/07/2022 - 18:28

      They were the Tamiya XB models (Expert Built). They were released late 2016 and ran through to 2018.

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