How much would you spend...

[autoart]

Just interested to know peoples thoughts on how much they would be prepared to spend on a 1:18 scale model if they were going to get something very special, high quality fit and finish with lots of photo-etched parts like grills, wiper blades, badges etc. The models would come complete with their own display case, probably brushed alloy plate mounted on ebony base with a sturdy acrylic dust cover. Presented in a fabric lined box. The models would always be closed, no moving parts and designed to be of the highest quality, but yet still affordable.

Does it bother you if they are manufacturered in China?

What would be the maximum you would be prepared to spend?

Also, rather than picking across every marque out there, how about selecting a few and doing a complete range, for example, how about an Aston range of all the DB cars, released one by one...

How many colour variants would you expect?

If to be produced as a Limited Edition, what number would make you feel you are getting something special, 50, 500...?

Comments welcome

[southpaw]

I think its interesting that very few models now seem to come with their own display cases, which is a shame as I don't like displaying them in their original boxes and aftermarket cases are generally low quality and don't compliment the car.

As for the question, I'd never spend over £50-60 on a 1:18 scale model tbh.

[m3evo2]

I spent £100 on made to order handmade Alpina B6 3.5s, but then I'm nuts, as the family keep informing me!

Oh and it's a 1/43

Edited by m3evo2 on Friday 29th December 19:33

[autoart]

Your not nuts at all, simply passionate about your interests which is no bad thing at all, in fact it's a very good thing.

I believe if people really appreciated what went into creating these models, then they'd realise that £50 for a 1:18 scale is bloody good value. Even the cheaper, less well made models require a huge amount of investment.

I was once informed by someone from Corgi that their master tooling for a 1:50 scale lorry can be upwards of £100,000...

Edited by autoart on Friday 29th December 18:53

[HONEYMON57ER]

I buy about 5 or 6 exoto/CMC per year and
would pay up to £200 for something of better
quality/ detail but it would have to be the
right type of car obviously. Although having
said that I think there are many people willing
to pay that sort of money for the quality alone
i.e. I would never have imagined buying a Merc
SSKL, but when I saw the CMC one,I just had to have it!

[HONEYMON57ER]

I think if you released Marque by Marque that could turn some people
off. I would not want to wait until all the Astons were released if
I was a Ferrari collector for instance.
I'm not a fan of fancy boxing or display cases, so would rather have
the money spent on the manufature of the car. Good packaging for protection
is import though and the name plate is a good addition as a stand alone item
rather than bit of brass stuck to a base.
As far as opening/moving parts, I do think that doors and bonnet are essential
as is engine detail in a model at this price range, but feel that anything
else is not necessary.