If you’re new to RC cars, you’ve probably noticed something confusing:

Two RC vehicles can look similar…
They can cost roughly the same…
They can both claim “high speed,” “off-road,” and “2.4GHz” on the box…

Yet one lasts 10 minutes and breaks, while the other lasts for years, takes real crashes, can be repaired, upgraded, and driven like a proper machine.

Welcome to the difference between toy grade and hobby grade.

At The Truck Monster, we only stock true hobby-grade RC cars — mainly from MJX and FMS — because we’ve tested everything else and know exactly what’s worth your money, and what isn’t.

Here’s what really separates the two worlds.

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1. Build Quality & Materials

Toy Grade

Toy RC cars are made from thin, brittle plastics.
They’re glued together, one-piece units, and not designed to be opened or repaired.

• Hollow plastic gears

• Weak plastic steering components

• No bearings (just plastic-on-metal friction)

• Snap-fit parts with no replacement

Once something breaks? That’s it — the car is done.

Hobby Grade (MJX & FMS)

Hobby-grade cars use engineered materials designed to handle real forces:

• Reinforced nylon or composite chassis

• Steel or metal gears

• Full ball bearings throughout

• Proper screws and modular components

• Aluminium oil-filled shocks

• Heat sinks, metal driveshafts, CNC parts (model dependent)

This isn’t built like a toy — it’s built like a miniature vehicle.

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2. Power & Electronics

Toy Grade

Toy RC cars use extremely basic electrics:

• Weak brushed motors

• Sealed, non-serviceable gearboxes

• Cheap circuit-board “all-in-one” electronics

• No upgrade path

• 5–10 minute run times

• Limited range

• No LiPo compatibility

Everything is designed around cost, not performance.

Hobby Grade (MJX & FMS)

This is where the difference truly explodes.

MJX and many FMS models use:

• High-power brushless motors

• 60A programmable ESCs

• Digital steering servos

• Modular, upgradeable electronics

• LiPo power

• Genuine 100–200m radio range

• Proportional throttle and steering

Some MJX trucks hit 55–65 km/h out of the box.
A toy-grade car claiming “40 mph” would struggle to hit 15mph.

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3. Repairability & Spare Parts

Toy Grade

There are no spare parts.
No diagrams.
No screws to undo.
No upgrades.

When it breaks — and it will — it becomes landfill.

Hobby Grade (MJX & FMS)

Every part is replaceable:

• Arms

• Shocks

• Servo

• Motor

• Diff

• Driveshafts

• Pinions

• Spur gears

• Tyres

• Shells

You can strip and rebuild an MJX truck like a real machine.
Parts are affordable, widely available, and designed for maintenance.

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4. Performance

Toy Grade

Performance is limited by design:

• Weak acceleration

• Poor suspension

• No damping

• Low grip tyres

• Jerky throttle

• Steering delay

• Can’t handle grass or rough terrain well

Toy grade looks like a car — but doesn’t drive like one.

Hobby Grade (MJX & FMS)

Real suspension, real power, real control.

MJX offers:

• Oil-filled aluminium shocks

• Off-road tyres

• Metal drivetrains

• Sharp, proportional steering

• High top speeds

• True off-road capability

• Stability at speed

FMS models excel in:

• Realistic scale detail

• Soft crawler tyres

• Excellent articulation

• Smooth low-speed control

• Quality waterproof electronics

• Realistic bodywork and interiors

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5. Upgrades & Modding

Toy Grade

There are no upgrade options.
You can’t open them. You can’t tune them.

Hobby Grade (MJX & FMS)

The upgrade paths are endless:

• Brushless systems

• Better servos

• Higher C-rated LiPos

• Pinions and gears

• Steel diffs

• Improved shocks

• Body shells

• Tyres

• LEDs

• Aluminium components

You can tune an MJX or FMS car to your exact preference.

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6. Price Comparison: The Part Most People Miss

This shocks most beginners.

A lot of toy-grade RC cars now sell for £80–£120 in big retail stores, with no spare parts or upgradeability.

For the same money — or less — you can get:

• Brushless power

• Metal gears

• LiPo performance

• Oil-filled shocks

• Spare parts availability

• Real durability

• Real range

• True hobby-grade engineering

You simply get vastly more for your money with MJX and FMS.

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Why MJX & FMS Are the Best Value Choices Today

MJX

Ideal for speed, bashing and durability:

• Extremely fast brushless models

• Strengthened metal drivetrains

• Excellent value

• Part support

• Reliable electronics

• Great off-road capability

Perfect for newcomers and experienced bashers.

FMS

Ideal for scale realism and crawling:

• Exceptional detail

• Smooth, controlled crawling

• Great articulation

• Quality electronics

• Beautiful scale bodies

• Ideal for collectors and trail fans

FMS models feel premium far above their price point.

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Fooled by Similar Prices

Toy-grade RC cars are built to be disposable.
Hobby-grade RC cars are built to be driven, repaired, upgraded, and enjoyed for years.

For similar money, you get:

• Better materials

• Better electronics

• Better performance

• Better parts support

• Better long-term value

This is why at The Truck Monster, we only stock machines we’ve tested and trust.
We don’t sell toys — we sell real RC cars.