[DPJ]

...Just frustrating that I’m having to fiddle about with a brand new car just to get it to run as it should do!

That's what slot cars are all about! If you're taking the car out of the box and putting it on the track without even a tire truing and an oil up, then you're doing yourself a major disservice! You'll never see what the car "should do".
Just last night I was wondering why these 2 Flyslot cars (same model different livery) I have were soo noisy I decided to put one on the bench. Sure enough all it needed was some oil around the front axle where it meets the chassis and the rear axle bushings. Icing on the cake when I lightly lubed the motor on each end. All I hear now is the hard rubber tires going around! They are brand new cars now.
Try it, you won't be disappointed!