bbr 1/18 enzo vs exoto 1/18 enzo

Anyone who knows Exotos from past experience will tell you (myself included) dont hold your breathe on the arrival of the Exoto Enzo... you could be waiting til Fall 2006 before it ever shows up. Also, the suggested price is subject to change.

Dont get me wrong, I have a few Exoto models in my collection, but they've also let me down from a biz perspective.

That said, I'm dying to see their upcoming vintage Ferraris!

 

People always ask what you'd buy if you won the lottery - a house, a car, a small island (!)... I'll tell ya' what I'd buy:

Sure, I'd buy the obligatory house and car, but I'd also buy *every* stinkin' model Exoto makes. Yeah, they're that nice. As Greg G mentioned, you might be waiting for hell to freeze over for the Exoto Enzo to come out, but it'll be a quality piece, I assure you that.

Just be careful when you start adding these more expensive models to your collection. I went down that road a few months ago, and I'm not sure I don't regret it yet. I've become *really* picky about what I'll buy and what I won't. I even have found myself walking PAST Mattell Fcar models (that I don't have, mind you) in stores. I'm like, "Nah...4 or 5 of those equal 1 Exoto F1 car. I'd rather wait." I can't believe it myself sometimes...

In all honesty, though...whichever way you choose to go, you won't be disappointed, and your collection will have a definite "centerpiece." On that note, be sure too consider the upcoming Maserati 250 F and Ferrari 250SWB due out from CMC Models. Although I've never seen a CMC in the flesh, I hear they put Exoto to shame for about the same price.

OMG.

 

I've ordered the BBR Enzo allthough I was waiting for the Exoto one. But Exoto is not reliable when it comes to release dates as stated and the BBR was available now. But when the Exoto Enzo finally arrives I definitely will give it a look and if it's better than the BBR I will buy it. With Exoto you can't go wrong and I suspect it WILL be better than BBR.

And for CMC I've seen their models and they are up there with Exoto, but no Ferraris yet. What I don't understand is why they make chromed wire wheels on a race car! I would expect that from a US manifacturer but not from a German one.

 

Aaron,

You are totally right... Im afraid that could be me someday, non-stop 1:18 addiction haha... I agree, 5 HW can equal to 1 great Exoto/Other brands...

Just 2 weeks ago, I saw my very first all out Exoto (almost complete) Porsche line 1:18 collection in one glass cabinet rack... The other rack was the Ferrari line with mix brands, but most are the expensive ones too... It was amazing... I will go back and take some photos. That collection just inspired me even more

Bhane

 

I do the same thing. I have a CMC model and I also have 2 exoto's. They are excellent, but will put you in the poor house. I will not buy a Hotwheels car except maybe for target practice. They are pure junk. Not even worth the box they are shipped in. I figure just save the money you would have spent on the junk, and get something nice..all it takes is to wait a bit longer and save a bit more, but in the end you have a real collectors peices rather then a toy.

 

Hotwheel makes great toys. They passed the toy safety tests. You can feel safe giving them to your kids. But they are not accurately made in terms of car models.

 

Hi Guys,

I hear everything you're saying when comparing models from companies like CMC and Exoto to models from Burago, Mattel, etc, and agree completely with your comments about quality. There is no comparison but, in fairness to the "low priced" companies, they don't do a bad job for what you pay.

But, let me speak from experience. With very rare exception, die cast model cars do NOT appreciate in value and, when the time comes you decide you may want to sell them, you will most likely take a loss unless you bought them way below suggested retail to start with. Don't get me wrong, models from Exoto and CMC are superb but resale on die casts is generally very poor so don't ever kid yourself into thinking they're a good investment. The rare exceptions I'm talking about are the few that are done in very small quantities and well liked by collectors. In those rare cases they may appreciate. A good case in point is the neww BBR 1/18th Enzo. There were all kinds of rumors floating around that they were only going to produce a very small number therefore holding their value. Factually speaking, after talking to someone in the business, it seems they're planning for as many as 10,000 cars in red and then possibly switching over to another color. So much for limited production! Of course this could all change if the model doesn't sell up to expectations and they could stop producing at a much smaller number. Bottom line? Buy these models because you appreciate them and admire the fine workmanship. DO NOT BUY THEM AS GOOD INVESTMENTS, they're not! PS: It didn't stop me from buying, have several CMC models on order right now and can't wait for them to arrive!

 

I think my Exoto 312B with Andretti's signature on the nose might appreciate a little bit between now and when I die...

 

Hey Perfusion,

In the case of your 312B, you could be right! I do like your sense of humor. All kidding aside, I started collecting die cast models many years ago before discovering the wonderful (and unfortunately expensive) world of hand built models. I still collect some die casts from high quality manufacturers like CMC and Exoto but, my collection is now primarily hand built. I just recently sold 45 die cast models, some of which I unfortunately paid full retail for, and recouped about 50 % of what I paid. If you watch the auctions on eBay, you'll find that's not unusual but it still hurts to take the loss. At the same time, I sold a number of hand builts from companies like BBR and, at the very least, broke even and actually made a few bucks on some.

Collect the models that you find appealing and, as long as you don't fool yourself into thinking they're good investments, you'll be fine. Keep in mind that I'm talking about short periods of time when I say poor resale value. Who knows, if you keep them for 20 years, they might be worth a bundle!

Have fun collecting!

 

I'll second that.

Exoto is king, but they announce models years in advance. So don't hold your breath and buy what is available.

I'm still waiting for the F1 T2, announced years ago.

 

I've had two models, the Ferrari 250GTO and Aston Martin Vantage on order for over 3 years now and I've been told by Exoto, be patient, they will have been worth the wait! Hope I live long enough to find out, I'm going to be 65 years old next month!

 

I've received my BBR Enzo and took some pictures (high res. and more available). As critisized before the doors do'nt open far enough and the tires are maybe a little bit too high but overall it's an amazingly detailed model worth its money (ofcourse I wouldn't mind if it was cheaper, but since it's made in China I think it can't be done cheaper with that level of detail).

I especially like the front bonnet area with the battery. also note the very thin windscreen wiper and neat headlight cleaners. Or the brake callipers, or the nice interior or... you get my drift.

Ciao, Peter
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that is ****ing sweet ass, wow!

 

Count me in too. I'm not at BBR, Exoto or CMC yet, I find the AutoArt and some Kyosho fine enough, but I don't even look at HotWheels or Maisto anymore. Heck, I even took out of their displays many Burrago and Maisto I had ...
I don't like to buy a model for the sake of buying it, I like to buy it to display it and say "damn, that's nice" everytime I see it!

 

Kyosho cars are very fine, IMO, and can comfortably sit next to an Exoto (my Daytona Competizione does!). I would love to get my hands on a Kyosho Lamborghini Countach in red (seen 'em on eBay) for a decent price, but for now I'm focusing on 1:18 Ferraris only. I will snap up the CMC Maserati 250F and Birdcage when they come out, but that's understandable. Gorgeous cars, and top quality models...what else could you ask for?

IF you decide to get into Exoto Ferrari F1s, may I suggest the 312T4 or 641/2 as your first? They both have beautiful lines, removeable cowls, and very nicely detailed engine compartments. Although I really love my Andretti 312B, there is no visible engine - it's just the car. However, that doesn't necessarily take anything away from the car. I purchased a Mansell 641/2 as my first Exoto, and it was truly the first model car I ever just sat and looked at...it's that gorgeous!

Cheers, and happy collecting!

 

Countach? The LP400? I have it in orange. The body is very nice, but they messed up with the height. The car sits "way" too high.
Here's a pic I took of it ... http://img294.echo.cx/my.php?image=dsc006940co.jpg
I haven't found enough courage to take it apart and make it sit lower. I've done it numerous times on older cheaper cars ... but on this ... I'm not even sure I could put it back together!

 

For about the same price the AutoArt Countach and Miura are much better than the Kyosho versions IMHO. I have a white Countach and red Miura.

 

I haven't seen the LP400 in AutoArt ... only the LP500S, which I don't like as much. The Miura Kyosho is better in that it sits much lower, but the gold (it's the red/gold trim) is just way too yellow ...
Neither is perfect, but I picked the Miura from AutoArt, and the Countach from Kyosho.

 

Go for the Yellow AutoArt Miura. Just about as perfect a model as you'll see. The blue Kyosho Jota (preferably with that horrid roof wing removed) is also pretty good.

 

Stop!!!
Get the Kyosho Miura SV. Had the chance to compare them side to side today, the AutoArt doesn't even come close. Sits too tall, back is to high and not wide enough. Kyosho has mirrors and antenna and much deeper (nicer) red, but the gold is horrible and the chrome is wee bit too thick ... but the shape is light years better than the AutoArt.
I have the AutoArt, and if I were to do it again, I'd get the Kyosho, and repaint that bottom gold trim in a "not-as-bad" gold.

 

Thanks...you've confirmed my suspicions that AA doesn't produce as good a model as some like to believe. I don't have much by them, but what I do have is so-so at best. Obviously, it's better than Mattel, however when I compare my AutoArt C5R to my Exoto Ferrari F1, I really wonder why I paid so much money for the AA (relatively speaking). Sounds like it'll be Kyosho only for me from here on out if deciding b/w them and AA.

 

That may be a bit harsh towards AA, many of their models are quite good.
I also compared the M3 CSL (AA vs Kyosho) and I actually prefered the AA. The CF roof of the AA was ok, but the overall look of the car was perfect. The Kyosho looked a bit better (mainly thanks to the better detailed CF-like roof), but the wheels were just way off. The AA was just better on that occasion.
So, it's all a game, when 2 manufacturers make a same car, make sure to see both before making a decision ...
The CarreraGT is coming out, from AA and Minichamps (in 1:18). I'll be sure to check both before I decide. Big plus already for Minichamps because there's a red one available. Can't wait.

 

Strange. I did the back to back comparison and found quite the opposite result (AA better than Kyosho). Anyway, they're both fine manufacturers.

 

Very good advice. I completely agree except for one thing. The BBR Enxo. They did promise a low number. I would not be suprised if they attempt to make 10,000 but they can't even supply what they originally promised! As a dealer I ordered 18 cars as soon as it was announced to delears. So far, I received 3 cars.

But you are correct that diecasts will not go up in value. They make way too many.

Ed
Island Collectibles, Inc