Scalextric car problem
Discussion
I got my son a Scalextric for Christmas, the 007 Spectre set with the Aston Martin DB10 and the Jaguar (the set was on offer at Toys R Us).
On Christmas Day the Aston lasted 20 minutes before if stopped working, I checked the brushes which were fine, so on Boxing Day I took it back and the shop who took the two cars from another set to replace his two.
Due to going on holiday for a few days the Scalextric didn't get set up again until New Years Eve, this time the Aston lasted less than 5 minutes before it ceased to work.
A quick google search links to lots of complaints about this set on Amazon and specifically the Aston Martin. Could there be a problem with this car or have I just been unlucky? I have taken the body off to check if there are any dislodged wires but all looks ok.
TRU are now out of stock of this set, so if I returned it they would give me a refund which wouldn't cover the cost of a replacement set elsewhere, and my lad likes it as he likes the film.
Do you think it would be worthwhile contacting Hornby Hobbies/Scalextric directly rather than through Toys R Us?
Thanks
PH5121
On Christmas Day the Aston lasted 20 minutes before if stopped working, I checked the brushes which were fine, so on Boxing Day I took it back and the shop who took the two cars from another set to replace his two.
Due to going on holiday for a few days the Scalextric didn't get set up again until New Years Eve, this time the Aston lasted less than 5 minutes before it ceased to work.
A quick google search links to lots of complaints about this set on Amazon and specifically the Aston Martin. Could there be a problem with this car or have I just been unlucky? I have taken the body off to check if there are any dislodged wires but all looks ok.
TRU are now out of stock of this set, so if I returned it they would give me a refund which wouldn't cover the cost of a replacement set elsewhere, and my lad likes it as he likes the film.
Do you think it would be worthwhile contacting Hornby Hobbies/Scalextric directly rather than through Toys R Us?
Thanks
PH5121
Thanks Eric, the issue I have is that to replace the set from elsewhere will cost more than I paid.
The set was originally £150, I paid £75, (from Russ at Jadlam it is £100). It may seem churlish to quibble over £25 but the fact that twice the same car has failed with minimal use and the poor reviews the set gets makes me wonder if there was a faulty batch and if Scalextric have produced a modified car.
I realise that the only recourse might be a refund and to buy the set from Russ and hope that it has no issues.
If the fault is with the motor I would happily just change the motor. I am surprised with the quality issue as my child hood set had 'bullet proof' cars which lasted for years. At this rate I will have to go searching in my parents loft to find them!
The set was originally £150, I paid £75, (from Russ at Jadlam it is £100). It may seem churlish to quibble over £25 but the fact that twice the same car has failed with minimal use and the poor reviews the set gets makes me wonder if there was a faulty batch and if Scalextric have produced a modified car.
I realise that the only recourse might be a refund and to buy the set from Russ and hope that it has no issues.
If the fault is with the motor I would happily just change the motor. I am surprised with the quality issue as my child hood set had 'bullet proof' cars which lasted for years. At this rate I will have to go searching in my parents loft to find them!
We've had a similar problem with the C1346 F1 set we got our boy for christmas. Iv'e spent more time fixing the new cars than racing. There are a couple of dodgy bits of track too. There are lots of reviews of these cars from this set having problems and last night I got pissed off at taking them apart to fix them.
So I ordered the Scalextric ARC AIR Track Day Set 1358 from Jadlam last night and the wife is going to return the other.
I wonder if the cars that Ship with the sets are a bit poorer quality?
So I ordered the Scalextric ARC AIR Track Day Set 1358 from Jadlam last night and the wife is going to return the other.
I wonder if the cars that Ship with the sets are a bit poorer quality?
It seems unlikely, but are the cars that come in a set of a lesser quality than the ones which can be bought on their own?
I would assume that the same motor/chassis would be common across the range, or are the cars in sets of a lesser specification? The set I bought for £75 looked good value as just to purchase the cars costs over £50.
Maybe I have just been unlucky in getting two duff cars, and it was a coincidence that it was the Aston both times.
I would assume that the same motor/chassis would be common across the range, or are the cars in sets of a lesser specification? The set I bought for £75 looked good value as just to purchase the cars costs over £50.
Maybe I have just been unlucky in getting two duff cars, and it was a coincidence that it was the Aston both times.
Hi OP.
I do not have this set but have a fair bit of Scalextric.
IME the set cars are usually slightly different to the 'solo' cars in that they usually don't have any/as many lights and tend to be Super Resistant rather than High Detail. I expect that this set though has more detailed cars.
Anyway - i would doubt very much if there is much or any 'downgrading' of the quality of the mechanical components. That said some cars are better designed and work better than others. I effectively threw my period R500's in the bin as they were useless at cornering and absolutely no match for the period M3s - a memory which has stopped me buying any of the new ones until i have had the chance to test them!
I do not have this set but have a fair bit of Scalextric.
IME the set cars are usually slightly different to the 'solo' cars in that they usually don't have any/as many lights and tend to be Super Resistant rather than High Detail. I expect that this set though has more detailed cars.
Anyway - i would doubt very much if there is much or any 'downgrading' of the quality of the mechanical components. That said some cars are better designed and work better than others. I effectively threw my period R500's in the bin as they were useless at cornering and absolutely no match for the period M3s - a memory which has stopped me buying any of the new ones until i have had the chance to test them!
If the retailer are no help give Hornby customer care a call. There was an issue with this set, the wires were not crimped to the pickup correctly IIRC.
http://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/returns
http://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/returns
Mat thanks for the info about it being a known issue with these cars.
Can you reveal how you know about the problem, is it a well known among Scalextric fans?
Anyway and I will have a word with them tomorrow.
PH5121
Edited to add
Just realised you work at Airfix. Thanks if it's inside info.
Can you reveal how you know about the problem, is it a well known among Scalextric fans?
Anyway and I will have a word with them tomorrow.
PH5121
Edited to add
Just realised you work at Airfix. Thanks if it's inside info.
Edited by PH5121 on Wednesday 4th January 21:57
I took the set back today for a refund, in addition to the non working DB10 one of the controllers packed in and the Jaguar was making a noise like the body work was catching on the wheels (but it wasn't).
I am disappointed that it seems to be so shoddy. Have we been unlucky or are they poor quality in general nowadays.
We are now looking for a replacement set, any recommendations for something more reliable?
I am disappointed that it seems to be so shoddy. Have we been unlucky or are they poor quality in general nowadays.
We are now looking for a replacement set, any recommendations for something more reliable?
I've just swapped the Arc One set we got for the Arc Air Track Day set.
The cars are so much better. Not only do they seem much better quality. They appear Much more robust and they stay on the track once the throttle settings have been reduced for the kids.
The wireless controllers are brilliant too.
It's a bit more expensive than the set you had but I'd say it's worth it. The track is a good length too with lots of layout options.
Jadlam were by far the cheapest price for the set too.
The cars are so much better. Not only do they seem much better quality. They appear Much more robust and they stay on the track once the throttle settings have been reduced for the kids.
The wireless controllers are brilliant too.
It's a bit more expensive than the set you had but I'd say it's worth it. The track is a good length too with lots of layout options.
Jadlam were by far the cheapest price for the set too.
Edited by 48Valves on Sunday 8th January 22:35
PH5121 said:
I took the set back today for a refund, in addition to the non working DB10 one of the controllers packed in and the Jaguar was making a noise like the body work was catching on the wheels (but it wasn't).
I am disappointed that it seems to be so shoddy. Have we been unlucky or are they poor quality in general nowadays.
We are now looking for a replacement set, any recommendations for something more reliable?
I bought a 6 car digital set about 4 years ago and about 40 odd cars since without a single failure and a surprisingly small number of blunt force aero part removals. The odd axle has needed to be clipped back in after some highly impressive attempts to make orbit at the end of 7m straights...I am disappointed that it seems to be so shoddy. Have we been unlucky or are they poor quality in general nowadays.
We are now looking for a replacement set, any recommendations for something more reliable?
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