I decided to do a comparison between the 5 different brands of 350Zs that I own. Here are some pics and my conclusions…Which one is your favorite? (Even if you don’t care for the subject matter, the main point here is brand differences)

Heres a picture of the real thing to start things off...

Here's the Johnny Lightning version.

Scale is on the large side like most of JLs imports
No rearview mirrors
Rear wiper on back window
Diecast base
Paint very nice, a little darker than stock
Interior very detailed, single color
Wheels standard JL 5 spokes
Mid price contender

Now for the AutoArt version.

Scale is dead on or at least the closest out of the 5
Rearview mirrors
Rear wiper on back window
Plastic base
Paint perfect color and flawless
Interior very detailed, black with tan seats, strut bar is silver
Wheels very close to stock 6 spoke instead of 7.
Clear plastic headlights and colored red taillights
Painted exhaust underneath
Most expensive, but comes with display case

Now for the Real Toy version. (Thanks to JK)

Scale is on the large side
Rearview mirrors
No rear wiper on back window
Plastic base
Paint OK, color very close to stock
Interior very detailed, single color
Wheels basic plastic 5 spokes
Mid price contender

Now throw Matchbox into the fray.

Scale is on the large side
Rearview mirrors
Very faint rear wiper on back window
Plastic base
Paint OK, color too dark
Interior very detailed, single color
Wheels Superfast
Low to mid price contender

Last but not least, the Hot Wheels contender.

Scale is on the large side
Rearview mirrors
Very faint rear wiper on back window
Plastic base
Paint good for its price
Interior not very detailed, single color
Standard Hot Wheels 5 spoke
Lowest price

AutoArt handsdown! The wheels are accurate. Correct ride height, but the tail lights look a little large.

Their cars are phenomenal. I just wish I had one. They need to come and sell in the US.

Cool comparison SI!

Hands down...! the AutoArt is the nicest of the bunch..
looks pretty good..excellent paint..etc.
second choice would be JL..excellent pics..!.... love the Zs..

autoart is much nicer.

Porsche911 -

Check out Collectorsnet usa. They still have some for sale. Pricey, yes, but I wish I hadn't picked up a JL before I saw them @ Collectorsnet, since I usually don't duplicate castings. The pics at the online store don't do as much justice to the castings as Si Nutt's photos do! Great job, Si!:thumbsup:
I dragged my feet and missed the Lamborghini Gallardo, however I may pick it up at Diecast Alley, although their price is a bit higher. You have to go to 1:64 cars first and then Auto Art to get into the right page. If you pick Auto Art first, you only get their 1:18 cars.
I've picked up the Auto Art 'Vette and Mazda RX8 and was not disappointed with either, even at $7 to $8 a copy.
I'd say MB is a very, very close 2nd place, since they seem to be the only other company that did the detailing on the handle. Bang for the buck, I'd have to give it to MB.


http://www.collectorsnetusa.com/

http://www.store.yahoo.com/dcastalley/augayemocar.html

Porsche911 -

Check out Collectorsnet usa. They still have some for sale. Pricey, yes, but I wish I hadn't picked up a JL before I saw them @ Collectorsnet, since I usually don't duplicate castings. The pics at the online store don't do as much justice to the castings as Si Nutt's photos do! Great job, Si!:thumbsup:
I dragged my feet and missed the Lamborghini Gallardo, however I may pick it up at Diecast Alley, although their price is a bit higher. You have to go to 1:64 cars first and then Auto Art to get into the right page. If you pick Auto Art first, you only get their 1:18 cars.
I've picked up the Auto Art 'Vette and Mazda RX8 and was not disappointed with either, even at $7 to $8 a copy.
I'd say MB is a very, very close 2nd place, since they seem to be the only other company that did the detailing on the handle. Bang for the buck, I'd have to give it to MB.


http://www.collectorsnetusa.com/

http://www.store.yahoo.com/dcastalley/augayemocar.html

Thanks Oldpole! I was looking around and I was just going to ask where to buy some. Who has the best shipping rates? I see Diecast Alley is around $6 for 1 car. I have to buy at least one of these, they look fantastic! I really want that mint green Porsche 993, Lambo, and RX-8!

I don't remember the shipping, Porsche..........I think I bought them early last year. I'm checking out other stuff on their sites to see if I can group a few cars in order to spread out the shipping cost. Sure would be nice to see them on the pegs somewhere, though!
That Mint Green Porsche is pretty cool! I had my eye on a a Gallardo in a Key Lime green, but that color is sold out. I'll have to settle for yellow or orange. I like black in a 1:1 car, but on the small scale models, the body lines tend to get hidden in the darker colors. I'm finding that I've been buying the lighter colors lately on the cars with interesting sheet metal.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: rr

I have to say that for overall accurracy, Autoart is the nicest one. The JL is a very nice 1/64th scale version. :)

Here are some pictures of my Autoart 350-Z.

http://img65.photobucket.com/albums/v198/stevbike/?action=view&current=2003Nissan350zautoart.jpg

http://img65.photobucket.com/albums/v198/stevbike/?action=view&current=2003Nissan350Zdetail1.jpg

http://img65.photobucket.com/albums/v198/stevbike/?action=view&current=2003Nissan350Zdetail3.jpg

Stevbike

I have to say that for overall accurracy, Autoart is the nicest one. The JL is a very nice 1/64th scale version. :)

Here are some pictures of my Autoart 350-Z.

http://img65.photobucket.com/albums/v198/stevbike/?action=view&current=2003Nissan350zautoart.jpg

http://img65.photobucket.com/albums/v198/stevbike/?action=view&current=2003Nissan350Zdetail1.jpg

http://img65.photobucket.com/albums/v198/stevbike/?action=view&current=2003Nissan350Zdetail3.jpg

Stevbike
These are some really great pics..! :thumbsup:
Are they of the 1/18 scale car? super detail on the chassis..

Hey oldpole, check out this online dealer. AutoArt 1:64 cars for $4.99+ $3 shipping. There must be a catch, right?

Not a very good selection....

That is the 1/18th scale Autoart model. It is very nicely detailed.

Stevbike

have you seen the tomica 350Z

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/tomylord/bc_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/tomylord/tomica_c-west_orc.jpg

have you seen the tomica 350Z

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/tomylord/bc_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/tomylord/tomica_c-west_orc.jpg

No, I haven't seen that one yet...thanks for sharing. Do the doors open? I picked up a MM Nissan Silvia with doors that look like they will open...(haven't released it form it's plastic coffin yet.)

yup they open! that is what i like about tomicas. also it comes with a sticker sheet to add to the tampo it already has in the car..

I just picked up the Yat Ming 1/72nd scale die cast Nissan 350Z. I did a bit of measuring and found it to be very well done and to scale. The model measures 2.325" long. It measures 1 inch wide. It looks very well made. The detail it very impressive. The wheel details are very realistic. A very nice model of a nice car in a odd scale. Nice addition to my collection. :)

Steve Robson

I have two colour variations of the 1/72 scale Yat Ming Road Signature series
Nissan 350Z. One is silver and the other one is copper. I like the detailing.
I also have three colour variations of the 1/72 scale Real-X Collection
Nissan Fairlady Z. The first one is silver. The second one is copper.
The third is a red and silver racing version complete with rear wing.
This one has graphics on it. I also like the detailing on these castings.

But my favourite is the white Nissan 350Z HobbyTalk Exclusive made by JL.
It was a gift from Bobby. I also have two other JL Nissan 350Zs.

Cheers. Cobra

there are a TON of others out there ... Jada, Muscle Machines, Kentoys/Boley, Yatming Petite/Road Signatures, Real X, Tomica ... for starters!

I voted for AutoArt, and as it's the priciest it SHOULD be best, but price-dependent, I think that Motor Max casting is strong.

jk

how bout EBBRO?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/myshocker/350z1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/myshocker/endless350z.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/realmz1/ebb3.jpg

That is a nice looking piece. Too bad they did not match the rims with real car though. That is unless the car had that style of wheel at the time the model was made. Just a nit picky detail!! :rolleyes:

Those Ebbro's are nice...expensive, but nice. I have only one. A JDM version Integra Type R....

ahh another..just got it today
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/myshocker/hk6.jpg