tamiya cars

I like all of the detail but it usually drives up yhe cost.
CFR

I'd have to say a lack of engine and chassis detail tends to be a deal breaker for me. If it doesn't show you something of the internal structure, you might as well be looking at a picture. Having said that, I've built Tamiya's Lotus 7 and Mini Cooper, and they do have a proper amount of internal detail. Their Formula 1 kits are things of beauty,andworth every penny.

I display my models with the bonnet closed so the shape of the car can be appreciated. There is no need for an engine.

I can understand superdetailing an engine and showing it off, though.

sasu

I have three of the Ford GT 40 series from Fujimi and there are no engines and a minimal amount of suspension detail. The moldings are great and the fit is excellent. The price is $30 to $35 U.S. The old Revell kit of the GT 40 is at about $20 if you can find them. Part of the high prices on kits imported from Japan is due to import duties and part of it is due to the exchange rate of the dollar.

look on ferrari enzo and its engine (with metal stickers(!)). do you still thing, that tamiya cant make engine?

I really do not car for the kits with engines as when the hood or engine cover is open it never looks real. For the most part kit engines look almost like toys. At most of the contests I have been to it seems that a goodly portion of the models that have engines have hood closed. Just my two cents worth. Rene'

I couldn't agree more having built at least one of just about every manufacturer's offering through the years; Ertl/AMT/MPC,Revell-Monogram,Revell Germany,Johan,Bandai and Fujimi. In my humble opinion none of the above when completed (box stock) look like the scaled down version of the real thing except for Tamiya's. Even though they are more expensive to purchase initially, everything that you need to build a museum quality replica is included in the box. The flash free parts fit as designed, realistic rubber tires and decal quality are as good as aftermarket parts. Even if you are not a fan of WRC rally cars, eg.Subaru STI, check the stance/look and I believe you will agree . Thanks for letting me ramble...

QUOTE: Originally posted by jastheace24 I the main reason tamiya (or many other manufactures don't include engines on race cars because the teams are very (and i mean very) cagey about letting people study their engines as it might give the other teams their trade secrets!!! just my two cents worth

Exactly what i was thinking. I was kinda disapointed that the new R34 Z-tune didn't have an engine, but its still a fabulous looking kit.

I too use tamiya sprays, i usually warm them before and during use with a tub of hot water. the main reason tamiya (or many other manufactures don't include engines on race cars because the teams are very (and i mean very) cagey about letting people study their engines as it might give the other teams their trade secrets!!!

just my two cents worth

Just posting on this as I felt I should give my experience with Tamiya cars. I was going to say its strange a comment like this was made because I rarely come across a Tamiya car without superior detailing, and an engine. Now even if they don't contain an engine, I guarantee you there is no other company that could make a better version or even an equivalent and yes I have tried other companies but for what you get even if, which is rare. You don't get an engine, Tamiya make kits that look like the real thing.

PS: I use the Tamiya cans.

well when they meant by some coats of white they meant white primer coats
that will bring out the color a lot more since tamiya's blue mica is actually a really dark color. get that fine surface white primer from tamiya and you should be good.

This one includes the engine and many other things buy i have some troubles with spray can paint, IT SAYS mica blue buy some one told me that some coats of tamiya white will help? both cans are tormentour for me

DOES ANYONE PAINT WITH TAMIYA CANS ?

Hi folks!!

Tamiya fan here. I agree that Tamiya is a little expensive seemingly at first, but I gotta tell ya, in my humble opinion (of course), Tamiya kits are usually worth every penny.

I can't find anything wrong with Tamiya's engines in thier "standard" 1/24 scale kits. Parts count of most of my Tamiya engines averages most offerings from AMT, and Revell-Monogram, although lately Revell is doing a good job pulling at my heart strings with some good stuff!! Their '99 Silverado is one fine kit, as is the Civic Si Coupe. I guess I buy a kit more for subject matter though, than who made it.

I will tell ya this though, and my opinion will not be swayed- - Tamiya has fit and finish that's hard to equal at ANY price. Please take a look at my Mercedes 500SL from Tamiya. To see it sit there, you would probably think it is a curbside (no engine or opening hood). But it's not. Never have I had a model car hood fit as well as Tamiya's do. The grill is even open!!! I am starting build of Tamiya's Supra, and it promises to be outstanding. It even has both left and right hand drive parts in the kit!! Thanks for allowing me to share my opinion, and have a great day!!

click the pics for a larger view.












edit: Arkansas spelling

Very few resin cars come with the engine, Studio 7 especially.
I have no problem with it in general as I build for the shelf not for competition, the cost is a major factor though.

Don

You want detail?
Go for any one of the Fujimi Enthusiast Model range of car kits - lots of Porsches, Ferarris, Lamborghini Countach and even a Lancia Stratos......they're great kits with absolute loads of engine and suspension detail. I've got a bunch of them - fantastic kits.

That's one of the things I always liked about Bandai kits - all interior stuff is there. Now if only they had done the CV11 or Ford sedan before those molds went for a swim.

Since Tamiya is generally making touring cars and rally cars, i think they are just try to save money and research time since these cars go under huge modifications on engine, exterior parts and decals by the year. It's more expensive for them to do a full research on the current engine set and release a new sprue for something that you can't really see every year. N if you look at their trend right now, tamiya really likes to take older kits, put a new color and a new set of decals, some minor part changes, n release it as a new kit. Some of their older production cars (nissan fairlady 300zx or the mercedes 500SL AMG) they all have a fairly crude detailed engine included. Relatively speaking tamiya 1/24 cars have a much lower price when compared to their F1 cars which have insanely detailed engine pieces. I was surprised by the 22 dollar tag on the new Z-tune skyline at the local hobby shop.

Well definitely yes no maybe.

Models targeted to little kids, no, let's not complicate things for the little tykes.

If there are more features, than yes the price will be more too. More features = more cost.

I like the big Tamiya car kits, but BOY are they ever expensive! I usually stick with Revell when I build a car kit.