Not sure if anyone here might be able to help
I want to get my friend's son a R/C car for his birthday - yes, I checked with Dad
They spend a lot of time in the garden, so something that would be capable of going over grass/mud (and possibly the beach too) would be ideal
I've been on Amazon and there are loads and most seem almost too cheap to be worth considering
Nothing complicated, too big, too fast as it's his first R/C car, but I don't want to waste money by buying something cheap and crap
Any thoughts?
R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
Re: R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
Some sort of ethanol powered 70mph monster seems a good idea. He'll want one before long so start him off with that.
More helpfully, I had (at about the age of 9) a radio controlled Chevy Blazer with switchable 2wd/4wd (the 4wd slowed it down too) which I used to drive over flower beds in the garden and loved. The NiCd batteries probably cost as much as the car itself and lasted for very little time. But something like a modern equivalent of that would probably be the right sort of thing.
More helpfully, I had (at about the age of 9) a radio controlled Chevy Blazer with switchable 2wd/4wd (the 4wd slowed it down too) which I used to drive over flower beds in the garden and loved. The NiCd batteries probably cost as much as the car itself and lasted for very little time. But something like a modern equivalent of that would probably be the right sort of thing.
Re: R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
How much are you wanting to spend?
Re: R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
Somewhere in the region of £50 ideally (plus a bit if it's really worth it)
Re: R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
Jobbo wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 2:51 pm Some sort of ethanol powered 70mph monster seems a good idea. He'll want one before long so start him off with that.
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Re: R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
I got my boy an FTX tracer when he was about 6 - ridiculously good, but whilst it can be “turned down” for speed it is maybe a bit fast for a 5 year old (but you’ll have fun!). Amazing bit of kit though, we’ve launched it off 10 ft skate ramps with no damage and it’ll work well on even medium height grass.
https://www.rcgeeks.co.uk/products/ftx- ... ygQAvD_BwE
https://www.rcgeeks.co.uk/products/ftx- ... ygQAvD_BwE
Re: R/C car/off-roader for a 5 year old
Thanks @Rich BRich B wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 4:10 pm I got my boy an FTX tracer when he was about 6 - ridiculously good, but whilst it can be “turned down” for speed it is maybe a bit fast for a 5 year old (but you’ll have fun!). Amazing bit of kit though, we’ve launched it off 10 ft skate ramps with no damage and it’ll work well on even medium height grass.
https://www.rcgeeks.co.uk/products/ftx- ... ygQAvD_BwE
I think this one might be a better bet (as I think it's quite a bit slower) https://www.rcgeeks.co.uk/products/rcg- ... er-pro-red
(Very helpful person on the RC Geeks online chat btw)