1:18 Ferrari F40 Buying Advice | FerrariChat
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1:18 Ferrari F40 Buying Advice

Discussion in 'Collectables, Literature, & Models' started by TheDuke, Oct 9, 2011.

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  1. TheDuke

    TheDuke Formula 3
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    #1 TheDuke, Oct 9, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2011
    Hey guys,
    I'm looking into buying a Ferrari F40 in 1:18 scale. I did some research and my favorite right now is the one by Kyosho that is NOT the lightweight version. I'd like to know what you think of it if you have one and what a realistic price would be. If you went with another brand, why did you choose that instead? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm willing to spend no more than $200 and my requirements are: it has to be red, 1:18, and looks like the one that rolled out of the factory. Thanks and I hope you can help.
    Of course if you have any pictures please post them. Specifically around areas that differ in various brands (interior, engine, boot...).
     
  2. The Speedfighter

    The Speedfighter Formula 3

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    #2 The Speedfighter, Oct 9, 2011
    Hey,

    I've got the Kyosho version. And it's really great quality (like always from Kyosho). Not too sure what a realistic price but I would think around the $130/$150. Have a look around on ebay and most likely you'll find a few still flying around there.

    Otherwise have a look at the Hotwheels Elite. They're pretty good too!!!

    Hope this helps!!

    Lex
     
  3. TheDuke

    TheDuke Formula 3
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    #3 TheDuke, Oct 9, 2011
    Thank you. That is very helpful. There is one on eBay right now but I wanted to learn more about the model and other options first. Do you have the lightweight version or not? If you could, please post a couple of pictures. That would be fantastic. Thanks.
     
  4. The Speedfighter

    The Speedfighter Formula 3

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    #4 The Speedfighter, Oct 10, 2011
    I've got the light version here, but the other one is sadly enough in Holland :(

    But yeah, IMHO get the car.

    Can you please post the link on Ebay??

    Lex
     
  5. lucky_13_2002

    lucky_13_2002 F1 Rookie

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    #5 lucky_13_2002, Oct 10, 2011
    I will try to be short although there is quite a bit to be said on the subject.
    There is a prototype car that rolled out of the factory and was rumored to be Enzo's personal example. This is what Bburago have based their model on. It is however incorrect to the production versions.
    Mattel and Mattel Elite are based off these old Bburago moldings with some corrections, which makes it completely incorrect as it is a mix between the prototype and the production cars.
    Kyosho's model is light years ahead of the Mattel Elite, but there are several different versions of the model.
    The "regular" and the "light weight" are basically the same. There is no such model as a "light weight" version. It is just something that Kyosho made up to differentiate the two.
    Basically the early production cars for Europe had no roll down windows and hollow doors. This is what the LW version represents, but it also includes some popular modifications that customers often did to their F40s. These are the wheels and after market exhaust.
    The "regular" ones have the optional roll down windows with standard wheels and exhaust.
    Either way you want to go, there are two different kind of models of both.
    The first is the earlier versions made by Kyosho, which were originally under $100. Then, due to licensing issues Kyosho had to bump the price and to somewhat justify it, they added some color here and there, made the gas lids opening and reissued the model as the "high end" version, which is a BS PR gimmick.
    The first original version is hard to find, but you'll pay less. The "high end" version is still no more than $150 and you should be satisfied whichever way you choose to go, as long as it is Kyosho.
     
  6. TheDuke

    TheDuke Formula 3
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    #6 TheDuke, Oct 10, 2011
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kyosho-Ferrari-F40-Red-1-18-Scale-/220869572674?pt=Diecast_Vehicles&hash=item336cda3842#ht_507wt_922

    Thank you. Your post was very informative and I think I will go for the Kyosho.
     
  7. PaulK

    PaulK F1 Rookie
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    #7 PaulK, Oct 10, 2011
    Yeah, buy the Kyosho with no regrets. They make great stuff. I keep hoping some day they will make a 1/18th F355 model someday...sigh...
     
  8. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #8 greyboxer, Oct 10, 2011
    Don't forget you'll need a full pre purchase inspection including compression & leakdown tests !
     
  9. TheDuke

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    #9 TheDuke, Oct 10, 2011
    A 355 would be great. Hot wheels is the only company that makes one and it's not that detailed, right?

    Darn! I completely forgot about getting a PPI. I guess I could skip that part of the process. It's not like servicing it will be expensive, especially for a 24 year old turbocharged Ferrari.
     
  10. KA3AX

    KA3AX Rookie

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    #10 KA3AX, Oct 10, 2011
    Hi all,

    I have Ferrari F40 high end version by Kyosho. It's a great model. Definitely gives you "WOW" effect when you open the box. Quality is amazing - paint, details etc. I also have Enzo by BBR and honestly I think F40 is almost as perfect as Enzo quality-wise. Not to mention that Enzo BBR is $350+.

    I paid $186+ shipping for new F40 via eBay auction.

    I'd definitely recommend purchasing Kyosho version over Hot Wheels Elite.
     
  11. lucky_13_2002

    lucky_13_2002 F1 Rookie

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    #11 lucky_13_2002, Oct 10, 2011
    Duke, $95 is the right price. Get it while you can.

    About 355, Mattel Elite has announced a 2012 release. Lately their models have been on par with Kyosho's and sometimes better. So this is very good news indeed.
     
  12. TheDuke

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    #12 TheDuke, Oct 10, 2011
    What are some of the noticeable differences between regular and high end? There's been a brief mention of it above but I would like to know what you thought.
     
  13. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

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    #13 SSNISTR, Oct 10, 2011
    I have two of them, a red "regular" and red "light weight". Very nice models, but the shape of the nose is off. It is too flat, but it is the best in that scale out.
     
  14. TheDuke

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    #14 TheDuke, Oct 10, 2011
    I hope I can win the auction. I'm looking forward to the 355. I'll look in to it for sure.
     
  15. Hawaiian35

    Hawaiian35 Formula Junior

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    #15 Hawaiian35, Oct 10, 2011
    KYOSHO for the win. Don't settle for any other diecast brand unless you are in a tight budget.
     
  16. TheDuke

    TheDuke Formula 3
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    #16 TheDuke, Oct 10, 2011
    Thank you guys very much for all of your help. You guys were very informative and helped me out a lot. I ended up getting a red Kyosho 1:18. It wasn't a lightweight or high end version, but that is fine with me. I am excited and I can't wait to get it. I will probably post a couple pictures on this thread so stay tuned. In case you are wondering, I paid $101 for it. Again, thank you very much for helping me decide on a good model.

    Duke
     
  17. TheDuke

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    #17 TheDuke, Oct 15, 2011
    The model came in today and it blew my expectations away!! It is such detailed and good looking model. A couple questions though: what is the best way to open up the doors? Is the front compartment supposed to be really easy to open? And should it require a considerable amount of force to close the engine lid? These are just some things I instantly ran in to that haven't been applicable on my other models. If you would like me to post pictures of her with the rest of my small (but very red) collection please let me know and I will gladly post them.
     
  18. toyfiats

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    #18 toyfiats, Nov 10, 2016
    I know this is an old thread, but can anyone provide an update on the currently available 1/18 F40 models, as I am looking to add one to my BBR Enzo (and soon a BBR 288 GTO).

    It appears Kyosho has released a resin version, and I also see that Davis & Giovanni has several versions as well. The D&G version is much more expensive, but how does it compare to the resin Kyosho? Does the resin Kyosho improve on some of the criticisms of the earlier diecast release?
     
  19. furoni

    furoni F1 World Champ

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    #19 furoni, Nov 11, 2016
    The Giovanni version is a total rip off, it makes me angry just to think that someone would pay such an absurdity for that model!!. The Kyosho resin version is very good and already very expensive (about 300€). I have the old die-cast Kyosho that i bought for 100€ and i am very pleased with it, probably wouldn't change for the resin version, even if this is more perfect.
     

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