83 replies to this topic

[deja-view]

I'm good with the subject - but I'd be better still with the same treatment of Tamiya's semi-assembled 288GTO.

PLEEEEAASE, Tamiya-san.

YES! Now, that's a subject I could put some time into and feel good about displaying. Love that GTO, and I'm not even sure why. I have a pretty nice 1/18 version, but a 1/12 would feel much better. I'd rather do the work myself though....."when" is another matter.

Anyway, I shouldn't be thinking about buying anything until I see how much it's gonna grind me to find another 1/12 GMP Gulf GT40.

Edited by deja-view, 07 April 2012 - 03:46 PM.

[Pete J.]

I would assume these two items (the "semi-assembled" version and the kit) were conceived and engineered as part of the same process, but I find it odd that there are significant differences between the two. Actually I find it odd that the "semi assembled" version is being marketed at all, but whatever. I'm sure they had their reasons.

Interesting. Thanks, Chuck.

Harry, just to clarify it a bit. The two models share a lot of parts. Chassis, body panels and a lot more. The differance according to my sources it that they mastered a new set of dies for several sprues to give the builder a better quality kit for their money, so yes it is the same but it is upgraded. Just exactly what is upgraded I don't know.

The Semi Assembled is kind of a strange story of import duties. Semi Assembled means you had to put the wheels on and attach a nut. I don't recall the excact regulations, but it had to do with imports duties, having Semi Assembled vs. completed.

Now a bit of why Tamiya did it. Simple! The 1:24 scale Enzo is by a huge margin the best selling auto kit of all time by Tamiya. Frankly, as a model, it set a new highwater mark for the quaility and complexity of an injected molded kit that nothing else could touch. The absolute perfect fit of a multipart body and chassis has never been done by any other kit maker. The detail of the parts and the fit were high even for Tamiya. I am still amazed every time I look at one of the kits and I have a bunch of them stashed. When they sold as many of them as they did it only makes sense that they do a large scale one.

Now, to the cost. I bet the boys in Irvine are scratching their heads over this one. Here is how I compare them. The new Yamato(ship for the unelightened) is a tour de force for a ship kit. It also has a similar MSRP in Japan. The Yamato's MSRP is 27300 Yen. The Enzo has an MSRP of 29800 Yen. Stateside the Yamato's MSRP is $417. A little quick math would suggest that the Enzo should be about $455. Discount retailers are selling the Yamato for about $335 and the Enzo where I can find one is going for about $395. All this seems about right. How they came up with a MSRP of $600 has us all scratching our head but then MSRP mean no more on a model kit any more that the window sticker on a real car. Both are starting points and what really maters is how many real dollars leave my pocket to be replaced by a box of plastic parts. So ultimately it looks like an open market has resolved the problem and makes a MSRP of $600 irrelevant.

[Scott - Elm City Hobbies]

Harry, just to clarify it a bit. The two models share a lot of parts. Chassis, body panels and a lot more. The differance according to my sources it that they mastered a new set of dies for several sprues to give the builder a better quality kit for their money, so yes it is the same but it is upgraded. Just exactly what is upgraded I don't know.

The Semi Assembled is kind of a strange story of import duties. Semi Assembled means you had to put the wheels on and attach a nut. I don't recall the excact regulations, but it had to do with imports duties, having Semi Assembled vs. completed.

Now a bit of why Tamiya did it. Simple! The 1:24 scale Enzo is by a huge margin the best selling auto kit of all time by Tamiya. Frankly, as a model, it set a new highwater mark for the quaility and complexity of an injected molded kit that nothing else could touch. The absolute perfect fit of a multipart body and chassis has never been done by any other kit maker. The detail of the parts and the fit were high even for Tamiya. I am still amazed every time I look at one of the kits and I have a bunch of them stashed. When they sold as many of them as they did it only makes sense that they do a large scale one.

Now, to the cost. I bet the boys in Irvine are scratching their heads over this one. Here is how I compare them. The new Yamato(ship for the unelightened) is a tour de force for a ship kit. It also has a similar MSRP in Japan. The Yamato's MSRP is 27300 Yen. The Enzo has an MSRP of 29800 Yen. Stateside the Yamato's MSRP is $417. A little quick math would suggest that the Enzo should be about $455. Discount retailers are selling the Yamato for about $335 and the Enzo where I can find one is going for about $395. All this seems about right. How they came up with a MSRP of $600 has us all scratching our head but then MSRP mean no more on a model kit any more that the window sticker on a real car. Both are starting points and what really maters is how many real dollars leave my pocket to be replaced by a box of plastic parts. So ultimately it looks like an open market has resolved the problem and makes a MSRP of $600 irrelevant.

The $600 MSRP isn't irrelevant, as that is what the Dealer Cost is based from, generally 40% off the MSRP, which makes the dealer cost $360 (from US suppliers), and that is what US retailers will base their markup on. While it has always been a little cheaper retail wise to buy kits from Asia, it gets a little ridiculous when you can buy a kit at retail, with the shipping, from Japan, cheaper than a dealer can buy it from their US or CDN suppliers. I want one myself, my choice is to buy it at my dealer cost of $360 from one of my suppliers, or about $330 retail (including the shipping) from HLJ, (of course they are out of stock now, so it might be a moot point if the one run is already OOS and there may not be a 2nd run).

I just don't get why Tamiya jacked the MSRP on it so much for the US/CDN market, sure, I expect it to be more than on the Asian market, but double?

[Pete J.]

The $600 MSRP isn't irrelevant, as that is what the Dealer Cost is based from, generally 40% off the MSRP, which makes the dealer cost $360 (from US suppliers), and that is what US retailers will base their markup on. While it has always been a little cheaper retail wise to buy kits from Asia, it gets a little ridiculous when you can buy a kit at retail, with the shipping, from Japan, cheaper than a dealer can buy it from their US or CDN suppliers. I want one myself, my choice is to buy it at my dealer cost of $360 from one of my suppliers, or about $330 retail (including the shipping) from HLJ, (of course they are out of stock now, so it might be a moot point if the one run is already OOS and there may not be a 2nd run).

I just don't get why Tamiya jacked the MSRP on it so much for the US/CDN market, sure, I expect it to be more than on the Asian market, but double?

Scott, I am sure that MSRP does have an impact on the food chain. My point was that as a consumer, what matters to me is what the current market on this kit is and that it is availble for $390 to $450 with a couple of online retailers. I would love to buy it locally, I just get real nervous about limited issues like this one. I have had to pay stupid prices on eBay before because I waited and couldn't get one retail. Unfortunately, scarcity can increase the cost. Just glad mine is in the box in the garage. You are right the MSRP makes little sense to those of us on the outside looking in.

Edited by Pete J., 09 April 2012 - 04:45 PM.

[Chuck Kourouklis]

Speaking of stupid Ebay prices, I hope nobody minds a quick sidetrack here: if Explorer is lurking, I'd like to THANK YOU, vriend! Turns out that pic I posted earlier was a Craigslist link to this very kit:





Yep, somebody had it for sale about an hour (100 km) away - thus ending my 22-year quest! It was quite reasonably priced, too.

Bedankt!

[JesseJames]

What an interesting subject and thank you for the info guys! Congrats on your find Chuck!

[deja-view]

Chuck; That's a very nice looking F40....but who is "NOVA"?

[Chuck Kourouklis]

Thanks gents, and I'm realizing belatedly I shoulda put it in the "what did you get today" thread - but NOVA looks like the name of the series Fujimi evidently thought it was going to do in diecast kits.

Know that "Japlish" you sometimes see in literal translations, like Rosso's "GE'AR - Great Exciting Automotive Reality" (or whatever that acronym was)? Well this seems like some kind of Franco-nese:

"Nouvel Opinion Vrai Accessoir"

But it's a Fujimi kit, likely the only one they'll ever do quite like this.

[The Creative Explorer]

Speaking of stupid Ebay prices, I hope nobody minds a quick sidetrack here: if Explorer is lurking, I'd like to THANK YOU, vriend! Turns out that pic I posted earlier was a Craigslist link to this very kit:





Yep, somebody had it for sale about an hour (100 km) away - thus ending my 22-year quest! It was quite reasonably priced, too.

Bedankt!

Hahaha, 'Graag gedaan!' (you're welcome!)

Isn't it funny how things go sometimes? I am glad to hear you filled your 22-yr quest!

[jaydar]

Well, i ordered one. Watch for a lot of kits to hit the market from me. I can't sell the ol lady but everything else goes!
Joe.

[deja-view]

Chuck;

The more I look at that, the more I like it. Wanna trade for two plastic 1/12 F40 kits and a nice 1/18 diecast? And some cash? And?

Seriously, that's about the only stock F40 I've seen that I'd buy. Mind telling us how many clams it cost you (so far)?

[Chuck Kourouklis]

awww, Ken, I am so sorry; but I first heard about this thing 20 years ago, then got distracted by Pocher's 1/8 only to lose track of it. I waited two decades for this to pop up somewhere, and found it pretty much worth the wait - which also means I'm not apt to part with it any time soon.

It was $350, and considering how infrequently I've come across it over the years, I wasn't unhappy about that price. If you'd like me to at least give you a more complete description so you can decide if it's worth looking out for, I can redirect over to "What Did You Get Today" and give you a more complete review...

Edited by Chuck Kourouklis, 15 April 2012 - 02:51 PM.

[deja-view]

Well, It's really cool, and I hope you enjoy it....even thinking of me and some others drooling over it.

In the meantime, I went down to my LHS (Hobbytown) and got this to make me feel better:

Hosted on Fotki

I have been trying to get one of these for years off ebay, but the price always went beyond justification. This is a new re-release with old box art. I'll put it on the shelf with all my other "must have" projects.

[deja-view]

A friend of mine just happened to send me this today:



“It is preoccupation with possession, more than anything else, that prevents men from living freely and nobly.” …… Bertrand Russell

Man, I am so hooked ....and in so much trouble.

And, to further feed our addiction, you need to get on Roberto's mailing list (very nice guy): http://www.icarohobbies.com/index.html

Edited by deja-view, 16 April 2012 - 12:10 AM.

[jaydar]

Just a note to tell you about HLJ's incredible shipping time. I got a ship notice on 4/18. It was delivered 4/21. The box is huge too!

joe.

[Roncla]

My local hobby shop has the Enzo in stock with a price tag of NZ$699. That converts to US$567. Ouch !!!

[Brudda]

Im just not sold on this kit. When I have started this hobby(about a year ago) i did pay retail for some kits.Then I became a little smarter and bought from swap meets. It is just fun to buy below retail. I have a very nice house,2 collector cars,several new suv's and collect guns, so money is not a issue. The point is that it is just plastic.I guess it is just what you want to spend. Now if I can get that new Boss 302 for 45,000 dollars Hmmmmmmmm

[Pete J.]

Im just not sold on this kit. When I have started this hobby(about a year ago) i did pay retail for some kits.Then I became a little smarter and bought from swap meets. It is just fun to buy below retail. I have a very nice house,2 collector cars,several new suv's and collect guns, so money is not a issue. The point is that it is just plastic.I guess it is just what you want to spend. Now if I can get that new Boss 302 for 45,000 dollars Hmmmmmmmm

How about a Shelby 1000 for $200,000.

[jaydar]

I finally got a chance to go through the box and the instructions. I cannot believe the detail and complexity. It will definitely be a long term high $$ build.

Bring on the aftermarket.

joe.

[Cato]

You guys are making way too much out of this 'icon'...
http://www.bloomberg...video/91741471/