Im just about to get into collecting 1:18th scale diecast models of my favorite supercars. I've looked at some Auto Art models and the detail is amazing. The Auto Art models are quite pricey so I would appreciate it if you guys could list some of the other companies in order based on detail and quality. I will try to get as many as I can from the Auto Art line, but I might have to buy a few from the "lower end" companies, however I'm not going to settle for a really cheap looking model but I need some advice on what other companies I can choose from and still be satisfied with the quality.

Im just about to get into collecting 1:18th scale diecast models of my favorite supercars. I've looked at some Auto Art models and the detail is amazing. The Auto Art models are quite pricey so I would appreciate it if you guys could list some of the other companies in order based on detail and quality. I will try to get as many as I can from the Auto Art line, but I might have to buy a few from the "lower end" companies, however I'm not going to settle for a really cheap looking model but I need some advice on what other companies I can choose from and still be satisfied with the quality.

First off welcome to Hobby Talk and the world of diecast collecting :wave:

Auto Art makes a outstanding product but as you mentioned they are pricey. Some brands that i've had personal experience with are welly, Maisto, Hot Wheels, Ertl, ect. There are alot of good brands out there. Also try checking diecat mints, suchs as National Motor Mint, Fairfield Mint, Philly Mint. These places carry high detailed cars for good prices.

Ryan

Hi and welcome to HT!

Bulk of my 1:18 collection is AutoArt. AA is somewhat pricy and their detail level is sometimes subpar given the price. Still, AA is a bargain compared to such uber-high end diecast manufacturers as Exoto and CMC.

Slightly cheaper but still extremely good brands are Kyosho and Minichamps. On a lower end, look into Ricko, Sun Star, Signature, and Yat Ming. They cost ~20 / model. Some of their stuff is junk, but quite a few of them are hidden gems! Really depends on a specific model.

Once you have a specific model in mind, I would recomend checking with a review site such as http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/list_reviews/review.asp. You can actually search by a specific car make and model and see all die cast models of that cars, complete with peer reviews of the more popular models.

Cheers,
G.

i am surprised that nobody mentioned lane collectibles. i have a few of theirs and i find the detail to be quite amazing. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the help so far. How about Motormax? I've been searching ebay for some models and there are a lot made by Motormax.

i am surprised that nobody mentioned lane collectibles. i have a few of theirs and i find the detail to be quite amazing. :thumbsup:
Lane is excelent and I, as you, would recomend it if one can afford their models. However, they are more expensive than AutoArt; the original poster mentioned that he is looking for models at a cheaper price.

Another good one at or right above AA price point is GMP.

Thanks for the help so far. How about Motormax? I've been searching ebay for some models and there are a lot made by Motormax.
Sorry, don't have much experience with MotorMax. I've seen a few of them at toys stores, didn't really leave an impression.

Stay away from motormax! bottom of the barrell detail wise.BBurago is also not done well either.

HWY 61 , GMP & Ertl Authentics are very nice cars . Some of Sun Stars latest are great too . ( 56 Lincoln & 55 Pontiac ) , Depends on what type your looking for . Welly & Motormax are not what your looking for in high detail / quality ..

For the VERY high end "artistic" models ($200 plus!), check out the following:

http://www.exoto.com/
http://www.cmc-modelcars.de/en/index.htm

http://www.mintmodels.com
https://www.replicarz.com

http://diecast.org/ is also a great resource complete with reviews and brand listings.

There are several brands out there to choose from... As a seroius collecor for about 40 years, I have found that you are going to find your ups and downs with every brand, scale, and model...
You will find some have great quality in construction, but lack in the detail areas... Others are great on detail, but are lacking serious quality in durability and construction... Others come with "mini" payment books (very expensive)
Everyone wants your money, so buy just what you think is cool !!!

Good Luck and welcome !!!

I think Mustangman said it very well. It all comes down to what you are looking for with regard to detail, quality, etc as to what will please you in your diecast collection.
I collect predominantly 1:18 scale like you are doing. My collection, which I have built over the past 5-7 years, began with such makers as Maisto, Sun Star and Mattel, and graduated to Auto Art, Kyosho, Minichamps, GMP, Lane, Exoto and CMC. And, thrown in for good measure are Jadi, Jouef, bBurago, Revell, Quartzo, Ertl, Ricko, Highway 61, Chrono and American Muscle. I tend to collect what I find the most interesting, with good detail and value for the dollar. But I've gotten hooked on the higher-end models because they are simply amazing in their detail, in my opinion. I'm up to 100 models now and still growing. The biggest problem is deciding what I should get next.
Good luck with your collecting and I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to HT!!!

For the cost, I think Autoart is pretty good. I have also been getting into the Hot Wheels Elites. They usually run between $70-100 depending on model with very good detail for the price. Hot Wheels also makes a Super Elite series, these run generally between $250-300, but are also extremely well done. Some people will only have the absolute best, some will have almost anything. In my collection I have a pretty wide range, from Autoart and HW Elite all the way to bBurago and Motormax which have far less detail, but they look good to me, and me is the only one I aim to please with my collecting.

Sorry to ramble...just kinda scatter brained right now

I agree, the HotWheels Elite range has been good but I haven't gotten but a couple of them so far. You are right about you being the only one to please with your collecting. That's what makes it fun. If some of the manufacturers would come out with some of the models they have been teasing us with for several years, I know of a half dozen that I would want to add to my collection today if they were simply available.