Savage X 4.6 VS. Losi Aftershock, which is the best basher?

[1 bad bug]

Hi everyone, I have decided as a new year's resolution I am going to try my hand at nitro R/C. The two trucks I am most interested in are the Aftershock and Savage X 4.6. So for all of you out there who own one or the other tell me which one is the best basher. I want to know which one is the toughest the biggest and the fastest! I am looking for a truck that doesn't need a load of replacement parts because it was made with cheap pastic in the first place. So in everyone's opinion which is the best basher?

[JGtruggy]

I have the 4.6 and it is hands down the best for bashing. I have over 3 gallons of gas through the engine with zero problems. easy to maintain and a very good price. You'll have to get used to tuning your engine which may cause headaches at first. Keep on the forums for help as it becomes easier to tune as you age with this very addicting hobby. Follow the break in exactly how it says to and you'll be fine. Don't hop up your savage as it is in my opinion just a waste of $$$. If you break it then maybe buy a better replacement part such RPM arms or titanium dogbones. Keep it simple. This truck is made to bash not hop up to be a shelf queen:D

[1 bad bug]

Thanks for the info JGtruggy. I hope that nitros aren't to tough to tune. LMK if you have any helpful tips on how to tune a nitro.

[whipnet]

I've never driven an Aftershock, but my Savage takes all the punishment I can throw at it.

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[whipnet]

Thanks for the info JGtruggy. I hope that nitros aren't to tough to tune. LMK if you have any helpful tips on how to tune a nitro.

If you go with the Savage 4.6 RTR, that engine is a piece of cake to tune. It's mostly only the high speed needle you really have to worry about. Slight tunes for weather changes, but it's mostly buy and bash.

Get yourself a hand held temp gun, you'll thank yourself. The temp tells all.

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[blackfoot]

I have 2 Savages, X and LE and a LST2 and Aftershock. Ive broke the fuel tank on one of the Savages tore out both diffs on both trucks, chewed up several spurs and had constant brake problems on both. On my LST2 Ive only busted up the lid and I beat it 3x's as hard as I ever did the Savages. The Aftershock had a tranny OWB go bad, other then that never a problem. The Losi's will outrun, out handle and outbash both of the HPIs hands down. I wont ever own another Savage as they handle like bricks and cant do 1/3 the stuff my Losi's can. Infact they arent even in the same league, the Savage should be compared to a TMaxx not a Losi.

[hajile97]

I disagree with that. The 4.6 is a solid truck. The older versions of the X's had issues but the truck is one of the best for the money. I had an AFT and it was garbage although it seemed like a deal at the time.. I think Losi's trucks were way overpriced esp the LST2 thats why they keep coming out with worse and cheaper cheesier versions of the same old LST platform which isnt a fraction as good as the LST2's. Gil Losi left the company for a reason I feel and it is starting to show. For the money you cant go wrong with the new and improved Savage x 4.6.

[JGtruggy]

I disagree with that. The 4.6 is a solid truck. The older versions of the X's had issues but the truck is one of the best for the money. I had an AFT and it was garbage although it seemed like a deal at the time.. I think Losi's trucks were way overpriced esp the LST2 thats why they keep coming out with worse and cheaper cheesier versions of the same old LST platform which isnt a fraction as good as the LST2's. Gil Losi left the company for a reason I feel and it is starting to show. For the money you cant go wrong with the new and improved Savage x 4.6.

I agree. I have a savage 4.6 and it is super tough. I must say I love my 8T as well. But for bashin I'll stick with the savage:)

[1 bad bug]

Well it sounds to me like the aftershock is no where near the savage X 4.6 as far as toughness and performance. Now my next question is which one is the biggest truck. Thanks for all your input guys.

[hajile97]

Aftershock:
Length:22 in
Width:18.5 in
Wheelbase:14.2 in
Weight:13 lbs

Savage X 4.6 RTR:
Length:21 in
Width:16.8 in
Wheelbase:13.25 in
Weight:? lbs

I knew the Aft was a bigger truck but wanted to give you the facts. When I had mine it was impressive but there were so many issues (the least of which was the OWB) right out of the box it was pathetic.

I picked the truck up cheap from a Hobby Shop in Florida because no one was buying it and he was closing out of selling this model from Losi. Savages are KNOWN industry wide as the standard when it comes to durability and value and just overall ruggedness.

It has it's issues as they all do but no matter what you read here or elsewhere...YOU are the one that will have to decide what you want....

I love em all and I have room in my workshop for all of them. I am planning on getting the new MGT. a Revo and the new LST3 if there is such an animal on the horizon....In rc so many people want to make it a all or nothing hobby!! you can like all of them for different reasons......they are all for the most part good trucks some are better than others just like everything in life my friend..

Good luck to you

[Goober]

Ask a Revo owner this and the answer will be a Revo, Losi owner will tell you Losi, Savage owner will tell you Savage, etc etc. You need to back up and answer a few questions yourself 1bb. How much do you have to spend, how available are parts at your LHS or do you mind mail order, which one do you like the looks of the best? All of them will perform nicely and all of them are destructable if abused. If you want to abuse one get the cheapest. Now you don't know me from Adam but my advice is unbiased. All will have their quirks and problems so it's up to you to decide am I willing to fix it when, not if, I break it? Get what you like and go enjoy it. No matter what you choose there is a forum somewhere to help you fix it. Good luck and enjoy.:)

[hajile97]

I agree totally. I am a RC fan and I like most of them for different reasons. I am giving you what I feel from my and my son's experience. We have had others who we run with have the same issues with the Aft and some that have not had one issue with it.

I love Revos for what they are and I also love T-Maxx's even though I sold the one I had.

Threads like this never amount to much because you have to decide for yourself and try em out....

The comments about the Savage x is what I have experienced and heard throughout the hobby long before I got one.

[1 bad bug]

Well said Goober. I guess what I really want to know is what flaws do each of the trucks have i.e trannys going bad. I am not not sure how much truth there is to this but I remember hearing that Losi had a "bad run" with the aftershocks. The AFT. looks the best IMO., but the savage seems to be the toughest and easiest to maintain. At the moment the savage seems to be the smart choice...

[blackfoot]

Losi has a bad run of OWB in the trannys, which Losi reaslized and sent a stock of them to the hobby shops to be handed to anyone that buys a Aftershock or has complaints with the OWB in the tranny being faulty, Free of charge. Thats the only flaw I ever had with the two Aftershocks I have. I also have bought a Mega Baja and have over a gallon in it and never had a single issue with it. They are ALOT easier to work on then a Savage, with the spread out flat chassis.

The Savage RTRs have weak diffs that need shimmed, and lots of brake issues. They are a PITA to work on, being that everything is sandwiched between 2 latteral frame rails, but yes they are tough, except the diffs. Make sure if you get a Savage RTR that you pull every screw that is threaded into aluminum and hit them all with good blue thread lock. I check every nut and bolt as I pull them out of the box. I found several loose so I just snugged them all down. I should have threadlocked them all, but didnt. Well after break in and a few play tanks. 5 screws were missing and 3 more were over 1/2 way untreaded.

Every truck has its ups and downs, its all what you want and can get parts and support for that matters. I love my Losi's and have shelved the Savages for the lack of interest in them. But thats me and my opinion. They both can do the same things and do them well and thats tear it up big time like only a Nitro can.

[SavageGoZoom]

The savage is what I recomend to anybody who likes to bash. I have driven almost every RC M/T on the market and the savage is the best IMO for bashing. MGTs are way under rated and take a lot of abuse as well. LSTs are awesome but expensive and have some known reoccuring problems. Aftershock is pretty much an LST with some plastic parts and is very strong. Since both trucks are about $400 I would go with the savage since it is very durrable. Only needed bashing upgrade is TVPs and you are set with an amazing basher.

[JGtruggy]

Losi has a bad run of OWB in the trannys, which Losi reaslized and sent a stock of them to the hobby shops to be handed to anyone that buys a Aftershock or has complaints with the OWB in the tranny being faulty, Free of charge. Thats the only flaw I ever had with the two Aftershocks I have. I also have bought a Mega Baja and have over a gallon in it and never had a single issue with it. They are ALOT easier to work on then a Savage, with the spread out flat chassis.

The Savage RTRs have weak diffs that need shimmed, and lots of brake issues. They are a PITA to work on, being that everything is sandwiched between 2 latteral frame rails, but yes they are tough, except the diffs. Make sure if you get a Savage RTR that you pull every screw that is threaded into aluminum and hit them all with good blue thread lock. I check every nut and bolt as I pull them out of the box. I found several loose so I just snugged them all down. I should have threadlocked them all, but didnt. Well after break in and a few play tanks. 5 screws were missing and 3 more were over 1/2 way untreaded.

Every truck has its ups and downs, its all what you want and can get parts and support for that matters. I love my Losi's and have shelved the Savages for the lack of interest in them. But thats me and my opinion. They both can do the same things and do them well and thats tear it up big time like only a Nitro can.

my savage 4.6 RTR has not had any problems with the Diffs. I treat this truck as if it were a motocross bike. Everything big and hard hard landings. Maybe the old ones had problems but these have been solid for me. And yes all rigs have there quirks. They are fun though:D

[pottsgroverc]

I have T-Maxx, Revo, Aftershock, Savage, Cen 7.7, and more. What I have found is go by the hobby shop common if you are going for a common basher and ease of use. The more your LHS sells, the more parts they are likely to stock and the easier it will be for you to keep running. I have several Losi vehicles and I like them better for several reasons. But my bashing vehicles I like most because Losi is popular here and I can walk into the store and pick up the part I need. Straight out of the box though, I think the savage is built better for bashing. Ultimately, as previously said you will have to choose what is best for you. Bashing wise, any vehicle will have the same fun factor, all will break, so replacement parts are the key to a good time.

[whipnet]

The more your LHS sells, the more parts they are likely to stock and the easier it will be for you to keep running.

Tower Hobbies.
nuff said. :)

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[Smaxxin]

Ask a Revo owner this and the answer will be a Revo, Losi owner will tell you Losi, Savage owner will tell you Savage, etc

This is true unless the person has owned them all. I have owned several Savage....25 rtr, the first SS 4.6 (the best IMO) and the X SS 4.6. The X versions are not as durable, when they made it easier to work on it lost some structural toughness IMO, I bent and broke a lot of parts on the X SS. The older SS .46 was a beast! It could take just about any punishment you could throw at it.

The Aftershock is tough, it can take a good bashing and handles much better than the Savage or Revo. Sense I bought the Aftershock my 3.3 Revo doesn't get used very much. I will admit, I added some upgrades to it but I add upgrades to all of them.

In the end you will be very happy with either of the trucks, they are all fun and very addictive!

[pottsgroverc]

Tower Hobbies.
nuff said. :)

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There is only two issues with Tower Hobbies: 1. You have to wait on your parts to get mailed and 2. If you need assistance into figuring out what is wrong, they really are no help. I still believe in the LHS. However, I am thankful for Tower, because it makes easy to shop and look for part numbers. Except when you own a Losi.

[whipnet]

There is only two issues with Tower Hobbies: 1. You have to wait on your parts to get mailed and 2. If you need assistance into figuring out what is wrong, they really are no help. I still believe in the LHS. However, I am thankful for Tower, because it makes easy to shop and look for part numbers. Except when you own a Losi.

Don't get me wrong, I try to support the LHS' around here. I always give them the first chance, and I have many to choose from in my city. Just too many times, I have to end up ordering from Tower because I drive a Savage in a Revo/T-maxx world.

As for the issues:
1) Plan ahead :)
2) They would be the last place I would turn for help, they are only a distributor for the most part. Forums and then manufacturer.

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[Daveo]

...I drive a Savage in a Revo/T-maxx world...

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Are you saying that your hobby shop does not carry HPI stuff? I don't think I have ever been to a hobby shop that doesn't carry HPI as stock items. You should let the owner know what kind of sales opportunity he is missing!

[whipnet]

Are you saying that your hobby shop does not carry HPI stuff? I don't think I have ever been to a hobby shop that doesn't carry HPI as stock items. You should let the owner know what kind of sales opportunity he is missing!

Yep, the closest one to me is almost anti-savage. I went in ready to buy one and they didn't carry them. He tried his best to talk me into a Revo. Nothing against Revo, but I knew what I wanted and what I wanted to use it for. I had to drive 20 minutes or so to a better shop that sells them and a lot of their parts.

I have spent $1500 so far, I also got 2 other people to get a Savage, so the amount of sales they've lost just from us is quite large.

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[quartz]

I agree with most of what has been said. I own a (very Old) stampede, Revo 3.3, Savage X, AE T4..ect...It really depends on what you are going to do with it and how much you are willing to spend. I bash hard. I am also a speed freak, the Revo straight out of the box is fast, not the best to bash but cheap to fix. The Savage is my fav to bash but it does have issues I didn't like the original motor it always wants to be tuned, and just didn't have the guts I wanted.. I'm at alt. so I lose power anyway. (so I went with a .28) (like the new ones but not an HPI) and it now has the power I was looking for to start (still want more though). I have ate the diffs but when you rebuild, get the newer ones that are tougher and your all set. It's going to come down to do you like the sport, then just start buying what you like now...soon you'll be like most everyone here, (I'm not rich by any imagination) but I own more than a couple trucks. You will have fav's for different things but that is why you got into it, grab the one that you love to bash and go have fun...when it's broke and the days not over, grab the next in line and fix anything that broke once the sun goes down! It's all about having fun!!!

[SavageXss1]

I own a Savage X ss which is all for racing and hands down the hpi is the best i owned a lst 2 its not bad but the savge is alot better truck all around Trust me on this my trucks get the snots kicked out of them when racing at the major events.....

[master_of_desaster]

savage for sure