Is this the best place to end the hobby? Tamiya Mini Cooper #58149

[Kpowell911]

Long post coming up, not sure why Im posting it. Im genuinely not looking for 'advice' or sympathy, or even attention. I just kinda need to post this to get it out my system. I think?

I've been lucky enough to be involved in this hobby from 1994. I was 7 years old. We lived in a Cul De Sac, with a speed bump. I was allowed upto the speed bump. A lad lived the other side of this speedbump, and he was allowed to the speed bump, but from his side. He had a Tamiya TA02 Repsol Cosworth he used to drive about. This mesmorised me. Eventually, we interacted and I found out what it was. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  My family went on holiday, to Teignmouth Devon, where my Nan lived, and there was a modelshop. We enquired about a Tamiya RC, but unfortuantely, it was far too expensive for my parents, so it never happened. A few months later, the guy with the Repsol Cosworth (who to this day is my best mate) informed me his cousin was selling his Tamiya R/C. It was a Tamiya Mini Cooper M-01 58149. It came with everything to run it, including the fast charger which was a massive massive plus at the time. I asked my mum and dad if I could have it for Christmas + Birthday (Im a January baby) combined, and remarkably, they said yes and bought it me. I could be a million miles away here, but Ive got £80 in my head as the price. I had my first R/C, and nearly 30 years later I'm still here.

 

I ran the heck out of this Mini Cooper. I ran it till a hole wore through the chassis. I never seemed to break it, it literally just worn apart. I didnt know about spares, I didnt know about fixing them, I just charged, drove, repeat. As I say, it literally got worn into the ground, and I guess eventually binned as I ended up with a TL-01 Focus WRC Im guessing around 1999?

 

Anyway, Ive been in this hobby off and on, mainly on since. I've only ever sold up completely on 2 occasions. When I passed my driving test and moved onto 1:1 cars (Would have been around 2004, I sold my complete Unlimited Engineering Brushless Emaxx, which was a massive thing to me. I think most of the parts went to the guy who runs UK Monsters and has some incredible R/Cs). I was out of the R/C till 2009ish, when I got abck into it. I then sold up in 2019 when I got divorced, but this was only for around a year or so. R/C has probably been the staple of my life.... I've had Tamiya Touring Cars, Race Tourers, Race Buggies. Nitro's, Large Scale Petrols, brushless bashers, crawlers, vintage R/Cs. The lot. I'd honestly estimate I've owned close to 500 models. Id also be scared to see how much Ive spent, but Its been everything. Its what most if not all my expendable income goes on, and has done for my entire adult life. Recently, Ive sorta gone from 'useable R/C's, such as brushless Traxxas models, and Ive started to 'collect', the dream Tamiya's that were on a shelf in Modelshops, or Beatties, or the Tamiya Catalogues. It started with the TL-01, as although the Mini Cooper was my first, the TL-01 resonated more with me, and was much much cheaper to find. So I found this:

 

 

And my Tamiya Re Collection journey began. I then decided to get the Repsol Cosworth that my friend had, so I tracked one down

 

 

If Im honest, Its got out of hand since..... I now own 26x Tamiya's. I genuinely have a dream collection. Never in a million years did I expect to be in this position. I've been lucky enough to knock of my 'grails'. The few I now want are either too similar to what I have (Jaegermeister 934, Raybrig NSX) or ridiculous money (30th Anniversary 934). Ive also still got a crazy collection of Traxxas RCs.....

 

Recently however, Ive just lost interest in RC. Ive had time to take my RCs out, and I cant be bothered to even charge a lipo. I just have no interest. For something that has been such a significant part of my life. its weird.

 

So lets fast forward to today. I've managed to actually acquire a unicorn. Tamiya 58149. The M-01 Mini Cooper. My first ever RC. NIB. I also paid a lot less than they were when I first looked for one of these..... 

 

 

 

Now I got home from work, I opened this, and its perfect. It genuinely is beautiful. I got it for a great price, as I used some nectar points to pay for it. I should be over the moon, but I just feel, I dont know, like this is an ending. Its done. Ive come full circle. Im emotionless to it?

 

Im in a different place now to where I was when I started, which is normal, because Im 30 years older. I have new responsibilities, more pressure, different priorities. I dont want to sound ungrateful, or to appear to boast but, I was probably happier with this hobby, espeically the Tamiya side of it, when I just had the TL-01 and the Repsol Cossie. The thrill of the chase was better than the actual ownership maybe? Ive been 'criticised' in the past for have a collection thats too 'samey'. I adore Tamiya, so Ive even picked up early grails, albeit in ReRe (Avante, Egree & Top Force Evo) and a BBX and an Astute, even though the sentimental part of the Tamiya hobby to me was always the late 90's/early 2000's tourers.

 

My problem isn't just Tamiya. In fact the Tamiya side of it is semi justifiable, shelfers and NIB's are accepted with Tamiya, but what about My Xmaxx, XRT etc etc? Theyre not justifiable shelfer, but I've no desire to use them? Even with the glorious weather currently.

 

I genuinely dont know what to do with the hobby. I do not 'need' the money from selling them. But we're a single income household, with a 4 month year old baby, and as we all know bills are shooting up. I dread to think what what I have is worth if i broke it down and sold it at a molecular level, but I'm sure I could find a use for the sale of the RC's. But part of the reason Ive been able to buy the last 5 or so desirable R/Cs is because I think the market (for obvious reasons) has dropped significantly so selling isn't probably a great idea. And once theyre sold, thats it. Theyre gone, and history dictates that I end up getting back into the hobby, and to get back to this level would take significant time and investment.

 

Space is also an issue, currently the RC's have their own room, but realistically this room will become the little ones nursery soon so space is an issue. Maybe I just box everything up for a while. At the moment its all on display and truth be told, I do go and look at it in awe most days but Im just feeling a bit meh about the whole thing? Im a massive Traxxas fan too, years ago Id have been the first in line to buy the new Maxx Slash. Its almost like its an RC made for me, yet I havent bothered even looking at getting one. I used to really enjoy Youtubers videos (You can guess the usual suspects) Yet the only one Ive enjoyed recently was RC Kicks' latest one about chewing the fat?

Ive heard of hobby burnout, Im guessing this is what it is, but how does something that used to bring me such joy,  just no longer resonate with me?

 

I dont know why Ive posted this, Ive added bits and bobs to it as Ive been typing off and on for hours. Im not expecting replies or advice, I dont know what Im expecting, just feel I need to get this off my chest. It just seems so ironic its came when Ive circled back to the one that started it all?

 

 

 

 

 

[Nitroholic]

It's burnout indeed.

 

I know the feeling. I haven't run most of my stuff for years, hardly gets a run, but I keep hold of them as things that are nice to have. They live out in the garage, and take up space. But I don;t really want to sell them as they are all somehoew 'personal'. Or at least, the ones that remain are.

Most have been modified, altered, and made into something that you won't find doing an E-Bay search. They are special to me. And that's the important bit.

If you get rid of the stuff that's special, at some point in the future, when the kids older and you are too, you'll think about the RC's and wish you had kept a few of them.

 

I would be gutted to sell my twin engined Savage, my brushless modded Kyosho Madforce with the unobtainable alloy axle housings, or my 6WD 4WS Hyper 7. There's a part of me there.

 

You just need to work out which of the models have that connection for you, and when you have to give up the room....buy a shed!

[Mr Brightside]

It's hobby burnout you brought one too many Tamiya. But with that being said you are now a dad with more important thing to worry about then a bit of plastic with four wheels.                   It's hobby burnout

[Lone-wolf]

I get what your saying, this happens in hobbies, and recently happened with me but with rc planes, i love flying all types from motor gliders through to fast delta wing craft, but for me i am all but done with aviation, though this is due to laws and rules, making it harder all the time to just legally fly a bit of foam with an electric motor, i am in process of selling some of my planes, will keep a couple but i am now 99% rc car, hope you make it to a good place with some rc stuff going on

[locky]

Nostalgia plays a part as you get older. You usually move on your cars, so whatever suits your needs now with a young family. Keep the mini in the box for enjoyment in the future. 

[Stormbringer]

Does sound like youve reached a hiatus with the hobby but dont sell them all off

if you can be best to store them as in a year or so's time you may be back into the hobby 

[53HRA]

I know your feeling mate. It’s a burnout most likely from being so addicted to it 😂! 

 

You know me, I’ve been Tamiya crazy for years, but I gave up my 1982 unbuilt celica a few months ago for £1,600. They never come up for sale hence the pricetag, but at the time I couldn’t be bothered with it. Now I regret selling.

 

The whole thing is a very weird cycle! 

[Yorkshireman]

I really do understand where you're coming from with this. I've felt the same way for a while now. I'm in my 60's now so I've been in the hobby a long time..maybe it's an age thing with me, but I too struggle find the motivation to take the models out. Im still sort of interested but I kinda wish something new would come along...I've no idea what!!!  In resent years I've turned to building model boats...something that requires a little more than just screwing things together! and I must say that I get a lot of satisfaction from my efforts.  If you have storage space then hang on to your models for now. If not, then only you can decide ! 

[supersavage]

I had one of those Minis and it was my first RC (early to mid 90s I can't remember a specific year as I was probably somewhere between 4 and 6). I can remember how I ended up getting it, my dad made a bet with me when we were eating dinner one night and said if I can eat another couple of cod fillets he'd buy it for me. He very much regretted saying that I think as I did much to his horror and my very unamused mum as I believe I was very, very ill that night 🤣 as I result I t think my mum forced him to keep his promise of getting it for me. I absolutely adored that mini and I think that was the spark that ignited my interest in RC. Unfortunately I have no idea where it went, I don't think it got sold but I do wonder if it got traded either by my uncle for a newer car when my uncle got me into racing or what as it just seemed to disappear. I would love to get another original for nostalgia but I think they'll be well out of price range now if I could even find one.

 

I also very much understand where you're coming from with the burnout feeling. For me at least my love for RC is pretty much all but gone which I do find a bit upsetting as like you RC has been a good part of my life for the past 30 years or so. I think part of it is that there's nothing that really excites me and partly or probably mostly it's that I just don't have anywhere to run anything now so I just can't justify buying anything when I know it'll be up for sale in a month or two.  

[Kpowell911]

I wont reply individually, but thank you all for the replies, its re assuring to hear that Im not the only one in this boat!

 

I think a break away/storage is the best idea, possibly shift the Traxxas' on as they can easily be re bought.

 

Im wondering If I need a 'project'? I do not see the hobby as financial, but it hurts to sink literally thousands into upgrading an RC and it either ends up being so unique it only appeals to you as per @Nitroholic or you sell it and lose a fortune. That what put me off sinking a fortune into one kit, although I do think I enjoy that part of the hobby more? At least with my Tamiya stuff, If I was to sell it all on, Id maybe break even. However, that mindset has got me into this 'mess' as Ive always felt if I buy something I dont necessarily need, I can just sell it on at a limited loss financially.

Edited May 10 by Kpowell911

[Lone-wolf]

I think thing to do is box up all the decent hard to replace Tamiya models and put them in loft or at a relatives house, someplace out the way, then in a month or so see if you miss them, as for the Traxxas I would say sell them but keep the one you most like so you have a rig to run should you want to do so

[bunnie]

100% don't sell off everything like before (I've still got the eds tools you sold me all them years ago) the odd model is fine but just put them away until you get the urge to bring them back out. That exactly what I done amd I'm so glad I did. I slowly got back into it by fixed few friends cars and 1 by 1 I started fixing up my cars and buying few new ones. I'd be gutted if I had to replace everything esp the way prices are at the moment 

[locky]

I would avoid the loft for storage, as it usually gets very cold with a decent insulation level, greater risk of rust and cardborad deteriorating over a number of years.

[SimplyChunk]

I went through this some 10 or 11 years ago.  I think the last model I bought back then was the Tamiya DF-03 Dark Impact when it released.  I already had the savage XS (that's my biggest selling regret cause it was modded/upgraded to the nines) I'd bought and sold on a Traxxas EMaxx.  And I sold off my Savage 25 which I had used since I bought it at release.  Now however I'm soon to be 4 models deep on a resurgence of my passion.  I'm even sharing it with a dear loved one.  Who will be getting her first ever model pretty soon.  

[bertberr]

I'll echo others sentiments, don't sell, or at least if you do sell some, think long and hard about which ones you really wouldn't miss...that much...

 

You'll feel the love again one day, that's for sure.  I've been into and out of this hobby for almost 40 years, sometimes the out's can be measured in years.  But...I always come back, and if I'd sold everything each time I lost interest, I'd have wasted thousands over the years 'restocking'.

 

My father is 80 next year and still into his RC, like me he has down time, but always comes back.  You have many decades ahead of you to come back too, so try not to make any rash / emotional decisions. 

[Kpowell911]

I think selling the Tamiya’s would be a mistake, but we will see if I let anything else go. Maybe just avoid RC forums/social media/youtube for a bit so I dont get sucked in any further?

Edited May 10 by Kpowell911

[Bajadre]

dont sell anything brother take some time out try something different and see if you feel the urge again as summer kicks in imo i switch between gaming and rc to keep it fresh myself 👍

[walkbythesea]

Remember how I never thought I’d see one of these in my house again?

 

 Don’t do anything impulsive. 
 

 

[Yrkoon]

keep them all i know you will regret selling them from experience 😞

[stretch]

I've recently been thinking about thinning out the herd as I find i have less time/motivation to take them out but I still enjoy the building/tinkering side. Maybe like you say you need a project i.e building something from the ground up or buying a kit that will take a long time to build. What about a different aspect of the hobby i.e aviation or water?

 

After having kids time becomes more limited and space more a premium. When the time comes that it needs to become a nursery then I would take stock of what you've got and think about what models absolutely can't be replaced either financially or emotionally and see what you left with. Put the keepers in safe storage. With the ones that are left decide if you can part with any, the traxxas  etc can be easily replaced should you have a change of heart in the future.  

 

 

[Kpowell911]

Just been sat looking at the Tamiya side of the collection for a good half hour. Planning a sort of sale order. Other than the off roaders, which as nice as they are arent really my thing, theres very few Id want to part with. 
 

But the ones I would part with are the Focus WRC TA-02, Evo 7 TA-01, Silver R34 GTR, maybe the Porsche 992 GT3 TT02. Thats going to save 3/4 car spaces and net me what £350-400tops? 
 

I could sell my Astute, Top Force Evo, both never used, that would get a bit more cash I guess. The Egress is lovely, and the Avante Black is BNIB but was a gift so they would stay. 

 

Next would Probably be the Michelin Pilot and the Tiger Stripes Cosworth. I know Im in the minority here, but I always preferred the Repsol, and only intended getting the Repsol but they all came up and they guy wouldnt split.

 

That would sell 8 of them. The BBX and Lancia TT02R could go too, but theyre ones I use. They also have relatively expensive electronics in, which are probably worth more than the chassis.

 

The Blue R34 sits on an unused TT02SRX, with hundreds of pounds worth of upgrades, with a sensored brushless system, £40 Rx and decent servo. Its never been outside. I could sell the roller and electronics and plonk the shell/wheels on a stock TT02 and no one would know and get some cash back.

 

I then have a plethora of bits that would add upto a fair amount BNIB Hobbywing Brushless Systems, Servo’s, brushed ESC and motors (1060s and RZ/BZ/TZ SuperStocks) bodyshells, wheels, tyres etc.

 

That would POTENTIALLY lose 10 RCs, still leave me with the rarer ones, and net me a decent amount of money that I could buy maybe an Avante ReRe, a Raybrig NSX or a 40th Anniversary 934, and a cheap roller for the blue R34. I think id be comfortable with that collection then been stored away.

 

As I said I dont “need” the money at the moment, itd be nice but its not needed as such. But I think its been worthwhile sitting here looking at them (for over an hour now) and sort of planning a potential “out”. Worse part is Ive really enjoyed just looking at them, I even power up the Focus and the Repsol Cossie to hear their antique servos whine and MSCs slide haha.

 

For the record this is the current view/the collection

 

Edited May 11 by Kpowell911

[Kpowell911]

5 hours ago, stretch said:

What about a different aspect of the hobby i.e aviation or water?

 

That side of the hobby has never ever interested me to be honest. A Tamiya Truck though? hmmm

 

 

I found this on accident, but check this!

 

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=159&t=1845140&i=0

Edited May 11 by Kpowell911

[Stormbringer]

maybe your just needing a slight change in direction with the hobby 

[stretch]

39 minutes ago, Kpowell911 said:

That side of the hobby has never ever interested me to be honest. A Tamiya Truck though? hmmm

 

 

I found this on accident, but check this!

 

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=159&t=1845140&i=0

 

I've found myself looking at tamiya trucks randomly but unfortunately no where to run it unless I join a club. I also like the construction stuff.

Edited May 11 by stretch

[karlo888]

Late in replying but I have also been off and on.

 

first r/c I purchased was a ta02 back when I was not married.

left the hobby for real life situations.

 

Come back and happy that I have actually built a savage flux from scratch back in the day that I kept in the attic for years next to the ta02.

I was in the middle/end of build when my 3rd daughter was born and she is now 12 years old.

i disappeared, then reappeared at the time of the Hpi bullet and helicopters, built a few more then gone again.

 

just recently come back and brings back memories of the fun and excitement of building, searching and people on forum, some who I recognise way back 😜😜

 

what I am trying to say is keep if possible, get plastic boxes to store as no doubt you will come back, I only had a few models but always come back when I go through my 6 main hobbies ( quote from my wife 😜😜😜)