Whats the most you would spend on a model.?

[slusher]

l was looking at some out of production kits and l was shocked at how much some are. l have never spent but 40 bucks once. l just can't spend alot on a kit no matter how much l want it. Was wondering how much other builders might spend..??

[Harry P.]

The most on one single kit (so far), and not counting aftermarket goodies for it: $600. Add the aftermarket parts bought specifically for that kit: $1,000.

Do I do that every day? No.

[cobraman]

My most expensive buy was the 1/8 Testa Rossa kit by Pocher. It was die cast and pre painted red. I think it was 299.00. I got it when they first came out years ago.

[zenrat]

$150 on an Aurora Robot from Lost in Space kit for my wife's xmas present one year.

For me? On a regular injection moulded kit?

I spent $60 on this

[Rob Hall]

I paid $220 for a promo (MPC '71 Impala convertible), $150 for a well-built AMT '66 Buick Skylark, $175 for an unbuilt AMT '67 Galaxie convertible....I have lots of unbuilt older AMT, MPC, and Johan kits I've paid anywhere from $50-150 for. As far as new kits, I paid $60 or so for a Fujimi 1/20th F1 car, similar amount for Ebbro F1 car kits. I do plan to build them all...

Edited August 15, 2013 by Rob Hall

[martinfan5]

  On 8/15/2013 at 1:58 AM, Harry P. said:

The most on one single kit (so far), and not counting aftermarket goodies for it: $600. Add the aftermarket parts bought specifically for that kit: $1,000.

Do I do that every day? No.

That may seem like a lot, but that was for a Pocher kit correct?

[Dragline]

I just spent 52.00 for an Aoshima Mad Max kit on eBay. But I spent over 450.00 for an unbuilt Aurora VooDoo Vega several years ago.

If I want it I usually get it if I must have it. Still looking for a set of 1/32 Monogram gassers.

Bob

[rustbucket82]

What ever it took to get it.

[martinfan5]

  On 8/15/2013 at 2:36 AM, rustbucket82 said:

What ever it took to get it.

Sounds about right to me

[niteowl7710]

  On 8/15/2013 at 2:36 AM, rustbucket82 said:

What ever it took to get it.

I once paid twice as much as that.

[rustbucket82]

  On 8/15/2013 at 2:43 AM, niteowl7710 said:

I once paid twice as much as that.

pics or it never happend

[niteowl7710]

  On 8/15/2013 at 2:43 AM, rustbucket82 said:

pics or it never happend

I had to trade my camera as part of the deal...

[Richard Bartrop]

Usually I think long and hard when the price goes past $40, but the most I ever pair was $150 for an Entex 1908 Rolls Royce. Of course, two weeks later I saw a Bandai reissue in the store reduced to clear at $50.

[ToyLvr]

I'm almost afraid to say, in case my better-half ever signs-on here and starts reading! ;-)

Ironically, the one-and-only Pocher kit in my collection was purchased for a mere $30.00, brand new.

I've paid in the range of $100+\- for several different rare kits over the years.

I came close to buying my "holy grail" of 1/25 plastic kits, the AMT "Chevelle Drag Team", which was considerably more than $100, but it got sold out from under me before I could close the deal (and sell a kidney to raise the cash).

Keep reciting the mantra; "It's Only a Hobby, It's Only a Hobby, It's Only a Hobby...."

[Tom Geiger]

_{The most I spent on a scale model was $450 for a fairly clean '66 Valiant Signet promo. This is one of the toughest Mopar promos to find. The below photo is the one I own, original shot from the auction when I bought it. Irony is that I've bought good running Valiants for less money!}

_{As far as model kit, I've probably spent $150. Early on in my modeling I was more apt to spend more for a kit, but since the manufacturers have been pulling surprising stuff from the tool vault, I've been hesitant to pay big money for something that might get repopped. I will pay $100 for a nicely done resin.}

[ToyLvr]

Yeah, I can say that I've bought *running* 1:1 cars for less than what I've paid for some of these model kits!

[LokisTyro]

I think the most I've spent was just under 40 for a Tamiya kit. At the time it was a gift to myself. 40 is a lot and I would have to find "free money" in my pants while doing laundry to spend 50. Actually, I don't think I would spend 50 even then.

[Pete J.]

I have not spent the most I have ever spent on at kit.....yet. Current to date is $650. Frankly that is not my most expensive buy on modeling. I have spent far more on tools. Also the accessories typically cost more than the kit. Was it worth it? Oh, 7734 yes!

I suspect your question is not, "How much have you spent on a kit?", but "What is your hobby budget?". There in lies the real question. I spend a fair amount each year because it brings me great pleasure and I am old and don't have a lot of other expenses. For instance, I spent about $1000 to go to Eagle Quest in Dallas. Why, because it was fun and I got a chance to spend quality time with my modeling buddies. It meant a lot to me to see old friends.

If you have young mouths to feed and the house if falling apart, well you probably would think $50 is way to much. Been there and done that too. I remember the days when winning a free kit at a contest raffle was a huge deal. The cost of kits is not really relevant when you have other priorities. This is a hobby. If you feel guilty about spending too much on a kit, don't! It isn't worth it. If you don't like prices, then look around. There are a lot of places to get good deals on kits. It just takes time and a little effort. Yard sales, flea markets, second hand stores, it doesn't matter and long as it gives you happiness and you feel good about spending the money. Get out from behind the computer and look around. Save some money, make new friends and feel good about the hobby all at the same time.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Pete J.

[niteowl7710]

I think this begs the equally intriguing, yet slightly different question. That being - How much have you spent at one time on models?

I have dropped 5 bills at model shows on more than one occasion when I was building up my stash.

To the original question, my serious answer would be $85 for the Revell AG London Bus kit back right before the price was jacked up to over $125.

[PappyD340]

Man, and I thought I had broke the bank when I paid 22 bucks and some change for one I bought off of evil bay a while back, I don't feel so bad now!!

[tubbs]

  On 8/15/2013 at 10:15 AM, PappyD340 said:

Man, and I thought I had broke the bank when I paid 22 bucks and some change for one I bought off of evil bay a while back, I don't feel so bad now!!

I am right there with you pappy. i am 53 and don't think i ever paid more than $25 for a kit. if it's above that mark, i don't need it. may want it really really bad, but i will not pull the trigger.

[Fabrux]

The most I have paid for a model was around the $55 range for an AMT '63 Ford F-100 kit. The most expensive model in my collection in terms of purchase price so far is a Moebius Lonestar, but that was a birthday present from some friends.

That being said, my wife spent $70 on a cloth diaper a few months back so I feel justified in spending at least that on a model at some point. Also, true to the modelling world, that diaper is being re-issued next month and will sell for $20.

[Jantrix]

I spend $40 on a vintage double T kit that was missing some parts. Four years later Round 2, reissued the kit. Such is life. That's the most I've ever spent on a single kit. I have however bought several kits, (on the cheap if possible) for one build. So at the most, I probably have no more that $60-80 into any build.

[Tom Geiger]

And in defense of being cheap... for all the $100 plus kits I have on my shelf, what do I build? Kits bought cheap, disassembled old built ups and stuff from my junk box. Pretty much free stuff with $50 worth of paint on them.

Note what's on my bench right now- Lindberg Dodge Caravan, I have a bunch of these bought for $5 each once. The Dodge van camper built from the junk van body that I had been using as a paint stand for years. The '51 Chevy Wanderer camper, started with a Chevy I got in a box of the remains of two of them for $10, adding a camper Rich Manson gave me to the top of it. No high dollar projects here!

[Dr. Cranky]

I normally stick with the retail price or try to get the good discounted deals at shows or through the retailers that offer 40%-50% discounts, but Harry is right, once you start to add the aftermarket parts, etc . . . the price of the model does increase considerably.