In my never-ending quest to spend $$ on goofy things, the latest item to strike my fancy is scaled F1 models. I've poked around the internet a bit and noticed a variety of manufacturers at various price points. I don't want to spend a king's ransom on these (may be an oxymoron considering its related to F1) but also don't want to buy junk. Any recommendations out there on brands and/or retailers?

Should be another great TV weeekend, with the race events and March madness. Can't wait to see how some of the teams bounce back coming off a short week. Thanks in advance boys.

 

Tamiya.

They don't have any new releases lately, but even box stock their stuff is really good.

I'm actually building a 1:12 scale MP4/6. Depending on the amount of detail you're after, you could build the models straight out of the box, or there's a bunch of aftermarket detail parts you can buy for these things

 

Depends on your budget and what scale you want. I'm just starting my collection. Probably just one or two F1 cars a year. So far I have the F248 Schumacher (3 of them) and will be ordering one F2007 Raikkonen in the near future. Both are 1/18th scale and made by Hot Wheels. Not the best quality but these models still aren't cheap!

 

Oh yeah, thats just die-cast. If you want to build them, Tamiya all the way. They offer a bunch of 1/24th models and their 1/12th models are really impressive.

I don't have the time to paint and put one together though.

 

I built a Tamiya Tyrell P-34, the Cosworth powered 6 wheel racer from the 70's. It had incredible detail.

 

Sorry, should have been more specific. I was thinking die-cast not models you put together. But maybe that's something to also think about. Growing up, I was a huge model fan, WWII armour was my thing and Tamiya was the best hands down for that. Any other die-cast that are good?

 

Minichamps is pretty much the only way to go for quality 1/18th scale die-cast models of current F1 cars. Mattel quality is nowhere close.

Only problem is that it's difficult to find them in the US. I usually pick them up on trips to Japan. But you can also try www.scale18.com. It's based in Canada, and I've had good experiences ordering from him in the past.

 

www.speedgear.com

www.exoticar.com

I have the Ferrari F2005, my friend sells them. I believe they're $5,000
http://www.apole.com/en/index.html

 

Exoto, Nice detailed diecasts, not cheap though?

 

As a collector with over 450 1:18 scale cars, I thought I would chime in.

For modern era cars, Minichamps are the best though Hotwheels make a decent model if you are on a budget.

For classic F1 cars, check out Exoto and CMC. They are very expensive. CMC makes vintage Grand Prix cars. Quartzo makes some decent F1 models at a reasonable price.

I would stay away from Exoticar. Their prices and customer service leave a lot to be desired. I recommend www.scale18.com , designsinm.comand www.replicarz.com.

These are some of my F1 cars,



1/18 Minichamps BAR Honda (T. Sato)





1/18 CMC 1938 Mercedes Benz W154