Thoughts on Bang n crash 2

[Beerongi]

Hi all,

I'm looking to pick up a second hand set for my children (I mean for me...) and someone local is selling the Bash n crash x2. Does anyone have any thoughts on it? It's £35.

It's been a good 25 years since I last used Scalextric.

[woodcote]

Hi Beerongi - welcome to the forum and welcome back to Scalextric!

 

A second-hand set can be a good way to get started - especially if you are on a tight budget - but a new set is always going to preferable out-of-the-box. In the run-up to Christmas, I'd expect to see brand new full-size (1/32 scale) Scalextric sets starting around £50-60 - if you shop around. Those will be the standard 1/32 scale sets, the smaller 1/64 scale Micro Scalextric and My First Scalextric sets will be cheaper: https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/our-ranges-explained

 

The Bash 'n' Crash set is not bad and £35 should probably be haggled down to £25 or £30. Most importantly, it has 'Sport' track which is the best and most recent system - but it is really important to check the condition. If there is any rust on any of the rails, walk away. Even if in good condition, the track will need some work: https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/support/track-maintenance

 

The Ford Taurus cars in the set are great - I really like them. They are quick, handle well and are very robust with not much to break. Do check the traction magnets are in both cars (just in front of the rear axle), that the rear axles are not bent (if they are, the wheels will wobble when rotated) and the guide flag at the front is not too worn and rotates freely from side-to-side without falling out. Again, even if in good condition, the cars will need some work: https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/support/car-maintenance

 

Another nice feature of the set is that it contains the borders and barriers - they are good to add to any set. Before handing over your cash, check all the listed contents are there and I would also ask to see the set working and make sure everything functions properly - track, cars, controllers, power supply. If you take a set home that doesnt work, you can easily end up spending as much to get a second-hand set going as you would have spent on a new set.

 

Hope that helps.

[Beerongi]

Thanks for the reply and going in depth!! I will take a look tomorrow when I see it. The main reason I'm looking at second hand really because my children are probably still a little young and I'm expecting some breakages at some stage. I'll definitely remember your points though.

Thanks again!

[woodcote]

Okay, if your kids are young (3 years upwards), the 1/64 scale Micro Scalextric and standard 1/32 sets are all designed to be perfect for younger and beginner racers. The cars are termed 'super-resistant' and are very robust. They have stronger traction magnets that give them more downforce and better roadholding than the older cars like the Bash 'n' Crash cars.

 

Another excellent feature is the four-setting variable speed hand controllers that come in the latest 1/64 and 1/32 scale sets. These settings fix the maximum power at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% which means you can adjust the setting for maximum fun and also gradually introduce youngsters to the art of car control. These are only available in the 2019 (and some of the Christmas 2018) sets.

 

Scalextric have done a great job recently getting their entry-level sets more suited to young racers. Two new-for-2019 Micro Scalextric and My First Scalextric sets have recently got the thumbs up from the Good Toy Guide. Definitely worth a read: https://www.fundamentallychildren.com/toy/micro-scalextric-law-enforcer/ and https://www.fundamentallychildren.com/toy/my-first-scalextric/

 

These are almost identical to the Warner Brothers branded Looney Tunes, Wacky Races and Justice League sets. The new sets have a brand new track system that is like a small version of standard Scalextric track and are a vast improvement over the original Micro Scalextric design.

 

Beyond just getting a starter set, Scalextric sell individual super resistant cars in both 1/32 and 1/64 scale. There are track expansion packs and accessories available for the 1/32 system and there will hopefully be similar 1/64 scale expansion packs in the 2020 catalogue.