[Closed] Cost twist in a different direction!

I got spoiled with working features. No going back to static for me. If I started collecting again

I would probably go to 1:18 scale.

@ Thomas Struckman: Yes, I'd be interested in static resin cars at a $150ish price.

All who post here regularly know that I'm one of those that don't need the opening doors and most other operating parts to be excited about 1:24 scale cars. I display them, I don't play with them, so whether a door opens or it has an operating gas cover is of no interest to me.

With regard to your undercarriage wish, it doesn't matter to me either way. I know some like them detailed, so I'm okay with it being so, but only if it is not going to be a factor in hiking up the price.

Now a comment about resin (supposedly) being better than die-cast. When we were all first introduced to the highly detailed die-cast cars, we didn't imagine (and many didn't know) that in time they would develop paint rash and eventually some would warp too. The warping was something we'd all experienced with our 50s and 60s plastic promotional models.

But as the years progressed and die-cast became the collectors dream, we learned that some were not as perfect as others and they do develop paint rash, and worse yet some warp.

So whether resin is really the cure-all to that, is something that I'd personally take a "wait and see" perspective on. It may be years down the road before we find what pitfalls resin may have.

But YES, give me a resin car without operating features for around $150, and I'm ready to start ordering and adding them to my shelf.

NEO will be bringing out a 49 Caddy in curbside resin for less than $150. Don't know how much detail there will be underneath - doesn't matter to me - I display my cars top side up.

@ Mark Sweeney: Will we hear about this NEO car here on the forum when it's released?

Right now I have seven Automodello and D4C cars, plus the Motor City Talbot Lago...

And I have another five of them on pre-order.

To me, the cars portrayed by our diecasts are artwork, and the models are no different. Unfortunately, the only images that have come out in the last few years that fit the scope of my collection have been 1/18 scale, with the exception of the Automodello and D4C resins. So my 1/18 collection has exploded in the past couple of years.

If the mints or a partnering agent could release resin cast models at or below the $150 price point, I would be very happy to see them. 1/24 was the sole focus of my collection for many, many years. I'm loving the cars coming out in 1/18 scale, but there are still many cars that I would like to be able to display in-scale with the rest of my collection.

By the way, my favoring releases in the $150 price range is not a dig at Automodello. Their models are absolute masterpieces, and I doubt a lower price point release from another company would be equal in detail or execution. To me, the Automodello cars are well worth the price of admission.

I agree with Frank being spoiled with features - however, if DM/FM ever produced the 53 Ford as advertised near the end of production - or ANY 50's era Oldsmobile, i'd be willing to sign over my SS checks lol

I have NO interest in static models. The exceptions are "must haves" with little or no chance...

... of them being produced in diecast. In fact, I actually have a few but I would not base my general collecting on static models regardless of the price.

Marlowe I will almost say the exact same thing except subsitiute "little" interest instead of "NO"

and the rest is EXACT! Unless it's a MUST HAVE or a car thats very historically important OR unique and there's no chance in hell it will ever be made in any other medium then resin is just fine by me depending on the cost of it. Take the Mark IIIs..... I bought ALL three colors! WHY? Not because I'm rich and can easily pluck down over $1100 on three resin cars, but A) I own a 1:1 Mark III in black, and B) I have ALWAYS wanted a nicely detailed model in 1:24 or 1:25th of the Mark III. to me it WAS a must have thus the reason I bought all three versions. I will also add at least one 1965 Riviera when that's release as well as a Darrin. Now while I like the 1960s Ford LTDS and Galaxies I won't be buying one! Not for $299 + dollars as I like it but to me it's NOT a must have. Had it been around $130-$150 I might have! Unlike some here i DO like and want working features, the more the better IMO. To me thats what makes a precision model "precise" and more realistic. It gives the model that WOW factor, that OH S*#T factor, that OMG I can't believe that actually works factor! LOLOL Look at some of the CMC models in 1:18th You can buy one on the second hand market, NEW UNDISPLAYED MIB for $275-$450 The same price or slightly higher then some curb side resin models, but the CMCs have mind blowing details and look like they could start up!!! Enough said!

@ Ron Deitrich: You may recall that Rick Hanmore of DM sold the #1 of 1 of that 53 Ford on the auction last month. It sold for over $3,400.

I was one of the bidders on it to the very end. 🙁 photo no longer available

@ Marlowe Johnson: One of the very few things we disagree on. You still rule though in my opinion.

Wow - but i would not pay that much (more than my SS)

1/18 has some great stuff .... something to realy consider - I'm happy with my 1/18

There used to be AMT, Revell, Monogram & the list continues they all made "Kits" They had Hoods

Interriors with detail did not have trunks or opening doors but did a pretty good job on a Detailed Chassis. All of that was a couple of bucks. You had to of course assemble it. The Mints could make static finished models. I think there would be a "market" and at under $100.00. The engines were very detailed and frankly I did a lot of custom work making working features such as a drivers door open or an open trunk. Spent so much time doing things such as that. Balsa wood allowed making a Model T "Woodie" with a door (Drivers) that worked. The hinge was a straight pin top & bottom which the door rotated on. I have that car still around but at present can't find it. I took it out to show someone and did not put it away where it had been but "did put it in a good place" yup No S**t it's a Good place but I have seen it in the past year. Tall "T" Candy Red 4 door Wagon Deep offset Chromies with a Corvette Engine and Corvette differential Black Corduroy worked for a tuck & Roll top surface and seats. Bucket's of course. Tail Gate worked for hauling stuff like a Keg for the party. Yes I would buy those cars since it's been some 25 years since I built a kit. $100.00 certainly fits into the budget might even be the magic price @$99.99