[Z28HO]

I understand this is a diecast board but my question is which is more important, the material its made of or getting the cars you want. How does everyone weigh in on this. Also I have a 1/8 diecast kit of a Ferrari Testarossa, so does it fall in a class of diecast or model car? And when does it change from a diecast to a model such as some of the older RC and ERTL diecast kits.
A lot of the after market parts are resin cast and the wheels are almost always plastic today. There have been some intersting cars in plastic, such as Eldon and Mini Lindy and some very nice slot cars that can be converted to scale, I have several GT class Jags and Porsches and a Dodge Stealth, just need some wheel changes, cars not done by the mass diecast makers, nice to have if you just like certain cars.
Just wondering how the majority feels about the material? To me it doesn't matter the material its made of, just the end result of getting the car I want.

 

[Nahsons]

I'm with you on that. I prefer metal, but when it comes down to it as long as the model looks good I'll add it to my collection.

 

[tgrove]

I agree, let's face it, in this hobby it's hard enough to get the cars we want - that's why many of us customize anyway-so why should it matter what it's made of. For me it's about how realistic it looks when I'm finished.

 

[opie_7afe]

technically diecasting is a process not a material so diecast can include resin castings. model cars are cars you assemble yourself, thats how i view the differences. honestly though i prefer diecast metal cars vs plastic because they are easier to strip and i just like working with metal better. but that dont mean if i found a car i love (for isntance a 94-99 celica) and it was plastic i wouldnt buy it because its plastic. but all in all diecast cars can be plastic or metal to be called diecast as diecasting is a process and not a material.

 

[Z28HO]

Diecast is a process but for most, diecast refers to cheap metal and plastic is rarely diecast, mostly it is just injection molded. Plastic is less porous so has the ability to have much finer detail therefore requiring less prep work before finishing, easier to mold, shape and work with and lighter, making shipping cost less. And you also have slush cast and centrifical casting which is usually done with a low melting point metal and now you have 3D printing. Even Mattel HW does cars in plastic, I have 2 Ferrari 5-packs, one the Ferrari 308 is metal and the other one it is plastic.
But all of which has no bearing on the question of what people prefer to collect or customize. In the end you can’t tell what a well finished model is made from without touching or picking up.
Just interested in the opinions of metal vs. plastic, (being hardly anybody does wood cars anymore like we had in the years gone by) to get what you want in the finished product and what you like to work with.
Maisto did a 90’s Celica in 1/64, not sure of the year as I don’t have any.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=maisto+celica+1/64&qpvt=maisto+celica+1/64&FORM=IGRE

 

[opie_7afe]

yeah i know about the maisto one, i have a 94-99 celica from CMS i got for really cheap but its a rally car and a gt-four. i can find the normal us version of the celica but they are about 20-30$ for a 1/64 and thats a bit too high for me, id rather buy the tamiya model kit at that price. but its not that big of a deal, atleast i have one example in the collection.

 

[dipstick]

I agree, let's face it, in this hobby it's hard enough to get the cars we want - that's why many of us customize anyway-so why should it matter what it's made of. For me it's about how realistic it looks when I'm finished.

I'm with you on that. I prefer metal, but when it comes down to it as long as the model looks good I'll add it to my collection.

I am with both of you - I don't care (technically) what it is made out of if it is authentic and realistic and "in scale" then I am in - especially with some of the non-mainstream pieces not generally available.

 

[ClearHooter]

Hate it when I don't hit send. :drunk:

A "model" is any smaller scale representation of a 1:1. As for myself I use them as tools to get more accuracy in my art.

"Diecast" is a process. Around here it's just been accepted we're speaking metal unless noted. Or a new HW.

I started out building plastic models in 1955. Didn't mess with my first diecast metal until 2002. Unless you count that Hubley Packard I had when I was 8. I prefer the metal because I can screw up paint and fix it pretty easy. Even if I've got J&B work to redo. Plastic is alot harder to repair.

The last plastic models I built were AC for my WWII aviation art project. These were all 1/48. That made me think smaller scale when it came to the car models.

 

[Stangfreak]

""I am with both of you - I don't care (technically) what it is made out of if it is authentic and realistic and "in scale" then I am in - especially with some of the non-mainstream pieces not generally available.""

I could not have said it better Mark... Well said my friend !!!

 

[roadskare63]

""i am with both of you - i don't care (technically) what it is made out of if it is authentic and realistic and "in scale" then i am in - especially with some of the non-mainstream pieces not generally available.""

i could not have said it better mark... Well said my friend !!!

...x3

 

[Lummox]

I'll take it a step further and say that I find the lines and details on a plastic or resin model to be slightly crisper and more refined.

Anyone else find this to be true?

 

[ClearHooter]

Yeah I think plastic gives a better edge. Its easier to work. I just really like the forgiveness of the metal when it comes to painting. What I don't really like is having to figure out if a new HW's upper is made from plastic or metal. If its see-thru then of course there is a reason and its obvious its plastic. But I find myself staying away from new HWs custom releases because I just don't know. They need to be designated on the pack.