The Avante and Egress were like spaceships when they were first released. I totally remember bringing my Frog to the hobby shop to pick up more dogbones and that Avante Box was on the shelf....it was like I was looking at Alien technology from the future. I had the counter guy "Billy Pizza" take it down an open the box it was like the scene from Pulp fiction when they open the briefcase....GOOD MEMORIES lol

Honestly, I think the reason why the Avante 2001 was produced was that it was meant to be an "entry level" kit based on the Avante platform, kinda like the Vanquish (even though the Vanquish fixed many of the original Avante's flaws). The higher end Avante platform kits were pretty pricy, but both the Vanquish and the Avante 2001. The original Avante was 34800 Yen on release, and the Egress was even more expensive at 44000 Yen. But the Vanquish was 24000 Yen on release and the Avante 2001 was 26800 Yen.

I still race an Avante to this day, and while it's far from stock, it does exceptionally well, that says something! Having started with a pair of original 1988 issue buggies I bought new in 1990 as a close out, I know full well all the issues, but once Tamiya released the Egress and all the aftermarket hop-ups became available, you really had something, but they were NOT a cheap ride. Fast forward to the Avante 2011 Re Re Release with all the goodies plus all the aftermarket upgrades and if you took the time and spent the money, you could have a race winning buggy! I have been racing since 1986, and while I have ran or ran against every buggy to come along, I still choose my 2011 Avante for my track weapon, and I can still beat all the other buggies out there most of the time! One major advantage is all the parts are available for them, and all the choice options and upgrades are still available, so we can keep these Avante's alive and kicking ass on track! For those who complain about the price, look at a comparable Yokomo, or Mugun, or Schumacher, or a Tamiya TRF series Buggy, and that Avante isn't so bad after all!

When I was a kid the EGRESS was the end all be all of RC. All my friends wanted one. The hobby shop I went to had one in a glass case as if it were a dimond ring.

I raced in the 90s and ran with tamiyas. Club nights could see 40 cars and I was the sole tamiya. Outpaced on every surface, started with Super Sabre, Thundershot, then Madcap. Everyone of them was a tank compared to everything else. Still determined I broke the bank with an avante 2001. Expensive tank. Change to a Lazer Zxr and finally made the A final a couple of times. Return 20 years later for a bit of fun and yes, I still bought a tamiya, There is still something about them...

Egress was simply the best when I was racing in 1992. Top force was faster lighter better in most ways but the egress stuck out due to shear engineering. We enjoyed cars that had lots of parts and were technical.

I’m so pleased the Manta Ray got a mention, this kit holds a special place in my heart being my first proper hobby grade buggy, I already had the mud blaster monster truck but I also wanted a buggy, I remember when I was 15 in 1992 walking to my local model shop on a freezing Saturday morning to buy it and building it straight away. Obviously I now have the 2018 rerelease which I haven’t built yet. I’ve also just bought a 2017 Top force rerelease which is going to get built soon too.

Loved stumbling over older videos on KZread from some of my favourite channels. I have just secured a Top Force Evo Rere kit for future build and I was interested to see what people think of it compared to other 4wd kits from Tamiya. Thanks for summing this up Glenn and I can’t wait to build it and see how far Tamiya went from 85 with the Hotshot to 92 with the Evo. I’ll be reaching out for some tuning ideas in the future my friend 👍🏻🙌🏻

Great insight and info and if you define best as fastest round the track then you're probably right but for me the best 4x4 buggy will always be the Avante (I am personally biased tho). This is because when it came out it was just so different from the "toys" Tamiya were producing and really inspiring. A real piece of engineering. I bought mine in 88, I think at a London model exhibition as a special offer. Joined my local club shortly after and had so many people coming up to me, wide eyed, asking if it was an Avante, few had seen one up close. It just had that wow factor. Sure it was flawed, the rear suspension was too hard and bouncy, the front suspension bottomed out and stayed there and boy was it fragile compared to the Tamiyas I'd been bashing around with up until then. I modified the suspension, upgraded motor, made quite a decent, fast, nimble car. Kept repairing it and running it round the track for most of the season. Eventually I was leading a race by a mile when I took a corner and ran up to a back marker crawling round. Veered to go round it and hit the side. Snapped the suspension and never raced again mainly because I didn't want my pride and joy to get any more damaged. But enjoyed my period of notoriety the car brought, that's why for me its the best 4x4 they made. I applaud Tamiya for daring to be different and not make another clone of the top cars at the time like the Cat or Yokomo. Obviously this is a very biased opinion based on nostalgia :-)

Mate, these video's are absolutely awesome, thank you!

Wowza! I managed to get my Dad to buy me a Beaties deal Tamiya Madcap back the day. This model was way out of reach and as you say a holy grail. The Egress always did it for me being the top model in my tamiya radio control guide from 1980 something. Keep the vids going, mega nostalgia.

Cool video i have just begun my tamiya journey found this very informative👍👍💣💣

Hotshot!?!? First Tamiya 4x4 I ever lusted after and it was the car I wanted to compliment my original RC10 in 1988 like the big boys at the local track.

Love the look of the Top Force & Evo. Currently building an Egress 2013 and loving every minute of it. Sadly, I”m not a fan of the Avante, but still a great video. Well Done!

I never raced in any sort of competition, but I loved my Avante. BIG step up from the hornet!

As an owner and racer of an Avante and then the Egress back in the day. I couldn't agree more with your number one pic. The Top Force and the Evolution were miles ahead in every aspect. It's the Manta Ray, an off road buggy that gives birth to the modern day touring car.

Top Force Evolution looks very good. I like it!

Great detail. Really interesting watch.

hi man ! i love your video ! thanks !!

I seem to remember a certain Jamie Booth almost winning a race with a Tamiya 'out of the box'. Hats off to that guy.