[StuBeeDoo]

I haven't, as yet, had any Carrera cars. I'm tempted by their forthcoming 1:32 Mini JCW WRC (as I won't go anywhere near Scalextric WRCs anymore) and Citroen DS3 WRC (I prefer the Merkstein livery to the Total/Red Bull one SCX offer).

What are they likely to be like, in comparison to SCX and Ninco cars? I'm assuming they won't be 4WD, but is it likely that I could make them 4WD using Ninco pulleys and belts?

Or should I wait and see if either SCX or Ninco do a Mini, and make do with the current SCX DS3 - to go with the Fiesta I have on my wish list?

TIA

 

[driver#8]

Pics of the cars and chassis are now on Carrera's Facebook and website, Stu. Gareth will probably post in 'Rally Cars Coming Out' soon as well I guess.

Basically they're regular Carrera - bulky, heavy 2WD chassis with an inline Mabuchi and a plethora of wires. The tyres look very close to scale - or absurdly skinny in slot terms. It will take serious butchery to get a belt drive in - not least because of the industrial thickness of Carrera plastic. Might be better to go for an aftermarket chassis if you're that fussed.

That said, the DS3s in particular look gorgeous... Loeb's has the arty Tricolore paint splash roof and the Merksteijn car looks 'ard as nails.

Usually Carreras come a distant third to SCX and Ninco in terms of performance.

 

[JEXY1]

Already posted them here

The Carrera cars are 2WD rear drive.

Both the Scalextric version and Carrera versions are home market racers - not out and out performers - that said i have not tested the Carrera so wait and see.

I have ordered examples of each and hope to find time for a back to back WRC test with SCX, Scalextric and Carrera - my gut says Scalextric and Carrera will be similar - SCX better runners - all non mag of course - i don't test with mags.

I will say that all three cars look stunning.

 

[Dopamine]

QUOTE (driver#8 @ 20 Sep 2012, 10:31) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Pics of the cars and chassis are now on Carrera's Facebook and website
I've looked but can't find the pics. Do you have a link?

 

[driver#8]

It's Carrera USA on FB, Dopamine: New Carreras

Let's see if this works...

 

[pasiro]

I bought a Carrera 307 a very short while back, expecting to be able to make it 4wd, but it just isn't worth the trouble, the only good thing is the body, the motor is poor, the axeles are bent and the wheels aren't true, very poor quality control, never used it as i can't be bothered.

 

[The Bane]

Wow! What is all that... stuff on the chassis? Remember, I am JUST getting back into slot-cars and that looks NOTHING like I had expected under the hood! Is that digital or something? I hope so because I don't want to mess with it.

The Bane

 

[Dopamine]

QUOTE (driver#8 @ 20 Sep 2012, 11:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>It's Carrera USA on FB, Dopamine: New Carreras
Thanks.

Some very nice looking models there that will definitely find a home with me. It's impossible to justify buying Scalextric's similar cars when Carrera are a lot cheaper, usually better detailed and of at least equal quality. My only reservation is whether the front ride heights are too high, but with rally cars it's not so much of an issue.

I know this isn't a rally car, but this must be pick of the bunch. So nice to see a proper Cobra, not one with huge wide arch extensions.

 

[driver#8]

QUOTE (The Bane @ 20 Sep 2012, 13:52) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Wow! What is all that... stuff on the chassis? Remember, I am JUST getting back into slot-cars and that looks NOTHING like I had expected under the hood! Is that digital or something? I hope so because I don't want to mess with it.

The Bane

I think it is digital, but am not an expert. Either way there's a whole snakepit inside most Carreras for lighting, polarity switch etc.

QUOTE (Dopamine @ 20 Sep 2012, 14:06) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>My only reservation is whether the front ride heights are too high, but with rally cars it's not so much of an issue.

There's not much clearance at the back either, which concerns me more. No problem if you've got a nice smooth track but it could be iffy on a lot of slot rally stages.

 

[loosesalute]

That Cobra is lovely..
Cheers
Kev.

 

[PETER GUNN]

Yep the Cobra looks very nice i have a couple of Carrera cars for the home track and for the price i find them ok, i normally strip all the new cars down anyway to set them up the way i like them on analogue track without magnets as i don't use them, i have fitted a more powereful motor in the Capri a bit of weight and it keeps up with the SlotIt's Keith.

 

[StuBeeDoo]

Thank you, everyone, for your input here.

From what I've read here I'll be giving the Carrera cars a miss. They won't suit my track. I'll just have to be patient and see what SCX and Ninco come up with next year and/or the year after. There are still quite a few cars I want for my current catagories, anyway, before I start on WRC 2011-->>.

 

[SplitRim]

I've got an SCX DS3 and it runs great, even setting times as quick as my Ninco Mitusbishi Evo on several stages of the Pendle SlotRally. I think with a bit of legal "tuning" and some different tyres, it might be even more competative.
I'm sure SCX, now with a new leader, might do the Merkstein livery at some point.