I found a Silver/Black 1:18 MINI Cooper die cast at Costco yesterday. It is the same model (minus bonnet stripes) as they sell at MINI (Red with white roof). It was only $9.99. I can't remember how much the one from MINI cost me, but it was well over $60.00 if memory serves. I think I'll go back and buy a couple more for x-mas presents this year.

Still waiting on the list to get a life-size MINI. I'm making it thru life by living vicariously thru you all on this forum and by playing with the scale models. :smile:

 

Walmart has them for about $13, but they don't always have them either. Matchbox makes a lower quality one that is in the same price-range, but is easy to find.

Kyosho is soon putting out an incredible 1:18 scale model that is likely going to be the most accurate and detailed anywhere. But it won't be $10, that is for sure, more like $50-80 for the best model anywhere.

 

Dominicminicoopers:

I was also a little let down when I saw the same Maisto car I purchased for $70 (at MINI) for under $20. I guess that's part of the price of being the early bird...

If you're interested in "higher quality" models (I'm also passing time waiting for my MCS), "Autoart" makes both 1:18, and 1:43 versions of the MC. They are incredibly detailed; especially compared to Maisto. On the other hand, if you're looking for an MCS model, I've only found two; both by "iXO" (www.ixomodels.com), one is dark silver with silver 17" wheels & sunroof. The other is Electric Blue, with white 17" wheels (no sunroof). Both are well made, although only 1:43 scale.

Several vendors are "promising" 1:18 MCS models, but haven't seen any yet. Also haven't seen my 1:1 IB MCS!

This is definitely the longest I've waited for any car yet.... and it's car #8 (not including another 6 or 7 for my wife!). It feels like by the time I get mine, it'll be MINI Mk IV...

 

>>Dominicminicoopers:
>>
>>I was also a little let down when I saw the same Maisto car I purchased for $70 (at MINI) for under $20. I guess that's part of the price of being the early bird...
>>
>>If you're interested in "higher quality" models (I'm also passing time waiting for my MCS), "Autoart" makes both 1:18, and 1:43 versions of the MC. They are incredibly detailed; especially compared to Maisto. On the other hand, if you're looking for an MCS model, I've only found two; both by "iXO" (www.ixomodels.com), one is dark silver with silver 17" wheels & sunroof. The other is Electric Blue, with white 17" wheels (no sunroof). Both are well made, although only 1:43 scale.
>>
>>Several vendors are "promising" 1:18 MCS models, but haven't seen any yet. Also haven't seen my 1:1 IB MCS!
>>
>>This is definitely the longest I've waited for any car yet.... and it's car #8 (not including another 6 or 7 for my wife!). It feels like by the time I get mine, it'll be MINI Mk IV...

Bought a CR/W Cooper at Kaybee Toys for $14. Just got the IXO 1:43 scale diecast. Very nice. Cost me $25 plus shipping though.

 

>> On the other hand, if you're looking for an MCS model, I've only found two; both by "iXO" (www.ixomodels.com), one is dark silver with silver 17" wheels & sunroof. The other is Electric Blue, with white 17" wheels (no sunroof). Both are well made, although only 1:43 scale.

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking the site out :smile:

 

... oh, and don't be fooled by the big Revell ( 1/10 or 1/12) - it looks pretty good but doesn't have nearly as many features as the 1/18 Maisto ( the back hatch doesn't even open!)

 

I'm having problems finding anything in any store anywhere near me.......since I have to go to Costco in a couple days I will have to check when I get there.....

 

try mailorder - EWA in NJ ( ewacars.com I think) has everything!

 

>>try mailorder - EWA in NJ ( ewacars.com I think) has everything!


Thanks!

 

Well, while you're waiting, run that lil' model around the kitchen floor going "Raaaaaaaaaaaar, raaaaaaaaaaar, raaaaaaaaaar, Uuuurrrrch!" :smile:

 

I have the AutoArt version and it is definitely better than the Maisto... (I have both actually.)

Autoart one is Extremely authentic: metal lower front grill identical to real, interior exact, underside quite detailed, and the Sunroof rocks!

 

>>Well, while you're waiting, run that lil' model around the kitchen floor going "Raaaaaaaaaaaar, raaaaaaaaaaar, raaaaaaaaaar, Uuuurrrrch!" :smile:

Do you have a hidden CAM in my house!!! How'd ya know?!?

 

I got the Maisto 1:18, 1:24, and 1:43. They all were great except I had to paint the roof and mirrors black on all of them. The revell version was terrible, its green was a flat light green, not the BRG at all! I also got a remote controlled one on ebay, had to paint that one too.

 

Wish someone would make a "S" model.....Why are we "S" owner's always a step behind when it comes to upgrades and cool MINI accessories??

 

Herpa builds a nice little (1/87 - HO scale) Cooper S - the detail on one that small is Great!

 

>>Wish someone would make a "S" model.....Why are we "S" owner's always a step behind when it comes to upgrades and cool MINI accessories??


We're always behind because the Cooper S came out after the Cooper. I too want to see a nice large scale model of the S.

BTW, I also bought the HO scale model in a box from BMW. That one is too cool. You can hold it up in front of you while you drive so it looks like a ral car off in the distance!

 

I'm curious how many of you are keeping your models in the box?

Maybe I've got too much influence from my family whom are always concerned about antiques and collectibles.... I want to take mine out, but I haven't - yet.

 

>>I'm curious how many of you are keeping your models in the box?
>>

When at the store, buy Two - one for the garage and one for the road!
... actually I'm not one who thinks much of cars that are trailered to shows - one that is driven is worth more to me than one that just sits there.
Unless it is numbered and signed - open, enjoy, have a ball!

_________________

 

>>I'm curious how many of you are keeping your models in the box?

For the MINI: zer0

I have many other NASCAR diecasts I plan to never remove from their box (Tony Stewart's Home Depot Pontiac from his rookie season). I have others that I have removed from their box to have signed (e.g. Mark Martin's Valvoline #6 car from 1999) but now are in a covered case where hopefully no harm can come to them.

Since I'm living vicariously thru the MINI diecasts, I have them all opened up where I can get some tactile time with them.

 

Guys, guys, guys (and gals!) the Maisto models aren't anywhere near the quality and details of the models that MINI sells. I still think MINI's models are WAY overpriced and the Maistos are a fantastic deal. But the MINI models are at least 3 times as detailed.

I have several Maistos already. But if I pass them in Costco one more time (and I'm there at least twice a week!), I might buy on more. But I'd like to wait until SOMEONE puts out an 'S' in 1:18 scale. I think I'll wait for that

 

>>Guys, guys, guys (and gals!) the Maisto models aren't anywhere near the quality and details of the models that MINI sells.

Hmmm.... the one I bought from MINI (BMW) is EXACTLY the one I have except for paint color and hood tripes. Same detail level, Same manufacturer (Maisto). Just turn your MINI model over and look at the underneath of the 1:18's base plate. It says MAISTO clear as day on the one from BMW/MINI. So did MINI screw me with a poor quality model?

 

>>Guys, guys, guys (and gals!) the Maisto models aren't anywhere near the quality and details of the models that MINI sells.

Unfortunately, they are EXACTLY the same (unless MINI has recently changed their models...).
As with other people online; I bought BOTH, expecting the $70 model would be better than the $24 model. NOPE! Only difference was the hood stripes...

 

I've been all over the planet looking for one of these models in Pure Silver and Black...w/ NO LUCK....
If anyone knows of a location on Long island, NY that carries these...please drop me an e-mail

Peace,
D

 

I saw a silver and black one in the Costco here in Pittsburgh. Do you have Costcos there? Also, don't be afraid to dig! To find my BRG one, I had the entire stack scattered over the floor, finally found one almost in the dead center of the pile!

 

Oh, and here's a silver and black one on Ebay



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1920622395