Interesting replies, some I would not have expected.
Like the converting of the metal hulls. I guess I am too much an out ot the box modeler. That, and I am still feeling disgusted with anything to do with cast resin. I find it odd that anyone likes that garbage. Too brittle, too expensive, too hard to work with, air bubbles I could go on.
I like that the metal hulls mean the basis of the kit is solid and secure, a perfect hull not vulnerable to lousy part fit which I have seen from even my fav name brands in some cases. Or in the case of soft skins, a well made frame. I have yet to ever lay a finger on a single cast piece, they require NOTHING from me aside from glue on the parts and in time paint. I like that they have zero mold seams worth comment. Yet to build one of the assortment from Tamiya that let me down in any fashion.
Regarding size, well I admit my eyes are not young anymore. Did not like it when my eye doctor told me 'there's nothing wrong with your eyes, you're older now, you just need reading glasses now (or in my case I call them model glasses so I can see in the range of 3-8 inches from my nose without going fuzzy on me). But the part fit is so damned good, and I rarely even need to do any seam clean up. You don't need to clean up something that isn't there. Almost no flash to speak of. And when I look at my Dragon 35th scale, heck they have parts just as small, only twice as many as would exist if Tamiya had made it.
The most telling part of the conversion for me was looking at my Tamiya Tiger and realizing that both the 35th scale and the 48th scale had identical parts, only the 48th scale was slightly smaller.
Key for me though was shelf space. I can get 7-8 tanks in 48th scale, where in 35th scale, it is more like 5-6 assuming you pick identical subjects for mass. Hey, my home is finite and my hobby room is not elastic :)
Currently looking at my shelf of figures and I figure, ok not quite as large as my 35th scale assortment (looks like a regiment on parade). But I have a LOT of 48th scale figures to build all the same. Granted, not as many odd ball subjects as my Dragon stash (from WW2 to Today). But I am not overly into modern any more at any rate.
As for price, I have what I call the 100 dollar rule. If I actually want something, as long as it isn't over 100 bucks, it's doable. I have been finding that my average kit though is more like 40 bucks (Canadian). I can buy 2 of those every month if I have nothing outside of my model hobby that I want though.
My only current concern, is I have almost bought the entire Tamiya catalogue at this point :)
Then again, I have planes and ships waiting on me too.
I suppose though some of you boys like buying all that after market fluff. Me, I like buying a kit opening the box assembling it and painting it. And not spending 3 times the kit price to make it something other than what was in the box. But that's me I guess.
Yes I agree, some of those turned gun barrels look spiffy. But, there's a point where you need to draw the line too. I'd rather have 3 models out of the box, than just one with exotic add ons.
Not that I don't like going aaaaaaaall out. I worked as an architectural modeler in my youth. Too old for that level of dedication now though. 300 bucks on a Sherman is a young lads idea if you ask me :)
But thanks for your input boys.