Traxxas Slash 4X4 Ultimate VXL

This is another of those RCs that seems expensive, but if you have an interest in the best quality parts and upgrades, it starts to look like good value.

The Slash 4x4 platform is great fun to drive, with handling much more like a real car than many RC vehicles, with slides and throttle oversteer on demand. The low cog chassis means relatively small ground clearance but great stability, so probably better suited to driving fast rather than jumping high and smashing about. It is actually very resistant to traction rolling, even on high grip surfaces like short grass.

All the upgrades are useful to have, but for me the standouts are the GTR shocks, which give amazing compliance, control and lack of stiction. The data module and sensors are also useful and fun and would be expensive and fiddly to fit as an after-purchase option on other Slash models.

The body can catch air easily, so I am not being too brave with top speed and will keep standard gearing. Having a body that encloses the wheels, the chassis collects large amounts of dirt, grass or whatever you are driving on, so clear it out if motor temps get high in use and a thorough air-blower clean is a must after use.

A great truck with lots of high-quality upgrades and a different driving experience to monster trucks and bashers.

We wanted a Slash and when considering the value of different versions, the initially high cost of this Ultimate version actually represents good value. In the UK the extras would cost a ton more if added to a standard Slash. It's a surprisingly large vehicle for 3s, although most of that is that large body shell and it remains very lightweight. A big part of the appeal to me is that it drives very much like a real car and can be controlled beautifully on the throttle. It almost feels slightly underpowered, which is a sure sign of a sorted chassis. The GTR shocks really are a stunning part of the Ultimate package as they provide a clearly smoother and plusher ride and seem to have no evident stiction. The telemetry is useful and fun. There are only 2 downsides to this truck I can see; If you don't increase preload or apply some tape at the rear, the tyres can rub the body and because the body covers the tyres, the chassis collects all kinds of muck that can even affect motor/ESC cooling if it is grass, for example. It needs a good blower clean every time but comes up like new with care.