Fujimi vs. Aoshima 1991 Toyota Soarer

[Fat Brian]

I was hoping someone would have an opinion on which kit is better. I have a Fujimi Soarer and it's very nice but they're getting expensive compared to the Aoshima version.

[BVC500]

I have both. I think the Fujimi captures the Soarer/SC400 exterior look better, but the Aoshima has better interior detail (though Fujimi interior is perfectly acceptable). The real sin is that the Fujimi kit has the wrong chassis. It uses the generic chassis Fujimi used for BMW and Mercedes at the time.  The Soarer/SC400 actually uses a shortened Celsior/LS40 chassis, and Fujimi made an accurate chassis for its LS400 kit, so I don't know why they didn't use it for the Soarer/SC400. Maybe the Soarer/SC400 was developed before the Celsior/LS400.

These kits are expensive, for who knows what reason. They used to be readily available on eBay for cheap, but us modelers are now holding onto our stashes!

Edited February 1, 2018 by BVC500

[fumi]

Aoshima's Soarer shouldn't be too hard to find, it has been reissued not long ago.  Hobby Easy is listing it in stock for around $22.

I remember Fujimi initally released it in ABS plastic along with the Prelude and Diablo.  Subsequent re-releases were in styrene.

[Fat Brian]

10 hours ago, BVC500 said:

I have both. I think the Fujimi captures the Soarer/SC400 exterior look better, but the Aoshima has better interior detail (though Fujimi interior is perfectly acceptable). The real sin is that the Fujimi kit has the wrong chassis. It uses the generic chassis Fujimi used for BMW and Mercedes at the time.  The Soarer/SC400 actually uses a shortened Celsior/LS40 chassis, and Fujimi made an accurate chassis for its LS400 kit, so I don't know why they didn't use it for the Soarer/SC400. Maybe the Soarer/SC400 was developed before the Celsior/LS400.

These kits are expensive, for who knows what reason. They used to be readily available on eBay for cheap, but us modelers are now holding onto our stashes!

Yeah, I picked the Fujimi kit with the aftermarket BBS wheels a few years ago and now they want over $100 for that kit. Where does the Aoshima kit have body issues, it looks okay in the pics I can find? I'm combining my kit with a Tamiya Supra to convert it to right hand drive and give it some under good details.

[BVC500]

7 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

Yeah, I picked the Fujimi kit with the aftermarket BBS wheels a few years ago and now they want over $100 for that kit. Where does the Aoshima kit have body issues, it looks okay in the pics I can find? I'm combining my kit with a Tamiya Supra to convert it to right hand drive and give it some under good details.

Just from my eye. One example I can point out - I think the side window shape near the C-pillar is slightly more accurate on the Fujimi. 

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, BVC500 said:

Just from my eye. One example I can point out - I think the side window shape near the C-pillar is slightly more accurate on the Fujimi. 

Are there any differences between the Fujimi 2.5 and 4.0 kits? I'm really looking  for a 95/96 model because that's what my real SC300 was and it looks like the 4.0 kit has the secong gen bumper cover.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003982ALW/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=AI931RMV8EPMU&psc=1#

[BVC500]

You can compare here:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10024664

and

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10053687

 

Also, you might want to get some of these to replace the awful decals.  I note there's no SC300/SC400 script.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-18-1-12-1-24-1-43-chrome-metal-decals-LEXUS-VOLVO-2078-/182957049070

 

[Fat Brian]

5 minutes ago, BVC500 said:

You can compare here:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10024664

and

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10053687

 

Also, you might want to get some of these to replace the awful decals.  I note there's no SC300/SC400 script.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-18-1-12-1-24-1-43-chrome-metal-decals-LEXUS-VOLVO-2078-/182957049070

Those metal transfers are nice, I will have to get some. Something about the kit with the God awful decals looks like a second gen from end, I think I'm going to chance it. Here's my SC before I sold it.

[niteowl7710]

It should be noted that ONLY the Lexus kit comes with the LHD parts. Neither Soarer from either has them.

[Fat Brian]

11 minutes ago, niteowl7710 said:

It should be noted that ONLY the Lexus kit comes with the LHD parts. Neither Soarer from either has them.

I know, the Lexus kit is pretty hard to find. If anyone has it I'd love to try to get the dash cast.