Are "Expensive" Diecast Cars (automobiles) Worth Their Price from a Layout Perspective?

I'd say it depends whether your hobby is collecting both trains AND model cars or just the trains.  Speaking for myself, the vehicles on my layout are simply there to enhance the layout so I wouldn't consider spending big bucks for finely detailed motor vehicles. 

I probably have somewhere around 30-35 vehicles on my layout and I believe I paid between $5 and $9 for each of them.  For the most part, my vehicles have doors that open and in a few instances, hoods and trunks that open too which enables me to work the vehicle into a vignette of sorts by positioning scale people in such a manner it appears they are placing something in the trunk; pausing with the driver's door open to turn and speak with another person - that sort of thing.

Curt

Front and center or just among the rest?

Specific purpose (hood up, etc....)??

Some oddball car that you can only get if its expensive?

Sentimental/You owned that car attachment?

Otherwise, just go with the $10-25 cars.

Curt I agree.   I have some cheaper stuff that actually looks better than the more expensive ones I have.  I do like the vehicles that light up.   I have a WS 40 ford that does and some Menards trucks.   Most of mine are 1:43..  A few are 1:48, which are also the expensive ones lol

Jim

I like the cheaper ones just as well! They are not the focus, just part of a scene! I have 1/43 and 1/48! Whenever I go into any store,Target, Walmart etc. I'm the oldest guy in the toy dept, looking for cars and trucks for the layout! Have found some neat stuff for little money!

It never hurts to buy the best you can afford.  Only you can decide what looks good on your layout.  Only you can decide how to spend your disposable income.  Only you can decide what you are satisfied with.  John

I'm one of the guys that considers $25 unacceptably pricey for what amounts to a piece of scenery, even for a foreground scene.  A little paint will go a LONG way toward making cheapies quite good enough.  But:  I am obviously NOT a car collector.

I do have a VERY modest collection of farm equipment, however, and I cannot even bring myself to pop for a $25 replica of a tractor I own(though I want it), which has been saved in my e*** watch list for months now

I enjoy collecting diecast vehicles in the 1/50 to 1/43 range in particular as well as other scales, have a huge collection. I do a car show on the layout with lots of cars on the roads.  I was purchasing some very expensive vehicles that have been coming out lately that are very well detailed. However I find that the chrome has been peeling off the detailed models and if you have to do a little dusting every now and then and they get handled it can lead to damage to the detailed bits lots of detail and very delicate. So now my more expensive stuff sits in the original window boxes on display shelves and use the less expensive stuff for the car /truck show on the layout with the roads plugged full of cars/trucks. There is so much to look at you can overlook the lack of precise details. Of course depending on what you are running for trains they can be far less detailed if not running scale stuff so it does not mater overall. I have been finding some very nicely detailed cars that look good for 2 to 4 $ at some Dollar stores. 

It depends on what part the car's level of detail plays in completing the environment for it. We've had a couple of expensive die cast vehicles on the club layout and, sadly, someone bagged one (a pavement roller). We've since wired down the valuable vehicles that are within reach.

Kinda depends on the era you model... there is cheaper stuff from 1950's to 1970's, but 1940 and prior...very little except for imported 1/43 diecast...also depends on your theme...whether every thing is a model on a high rail layout, or are you recreating a childhood layout with Tootsietoy and other dime store vehicles?

Depends upon what you consider to be expensive. I have about 25 die-cast 1:43 and 1:48 vehicles on my layout at prices up to about $30 and regard them as a necessary piece of scenery to enhance the model railroad, especially on downtown streets. I like these models but buy them only to go on the layout and am not a collector per Se. Some of them, such as the Menard's jeep, have family significance but most have been selected for the era of the railroad - 1940s and 1950s.

MELGAR

Brooklins are 1:43, aren’t they? I just ask because if they are, then no amount of detail can make them smaller. I don’t mind using 1:43 on my layout, but I am not paying $80.00 to $100.00 for them. 

 If you look into Matchbox Collectibles 1:43 line from the late 90’s, you will find a nice selection, great detail, and for far less than Brooklins.

I Model 1930s to mid 50s and there are alot of European manufacturers that make really good diecast Models of that period and for the most part they are out of Business with the exception of Corgi which sadly has their vehicles made in China,mine are Euro made and a bit more expensive than the China Models.

Mike

"Die cast cars" means RR rolling stock to me; I thought you meant that.

Though you seem to have had plenty of responses, wouldn't it be more useful to call these "autos and trucks" or "vehicles"? In the RR world, "car" calls to mind something with no rubber tires. I opened this thread expecting another subject.

1 - I do like the die-cast model cars (flanged).

2 - model vehicles' construction materials are not important to me; looks are. Almost all 1:43/1:50 model vehicles look toy-like, owing to too-shiny/thick paint for their size and typically clunky details (especially grilles and bumpers), regardless of price. Personally, I wish someone would offer a line of plastic, inexpensive, plausibly-shaped (per multiple prototypes/brands), unpainted, ordinary (enough already with the Cadillacs, Corvettes, Jaguars, old Fords and convertibles in general) 1:48  vehicles that could be easily and basically painted. No interior details, opening doors, engines or even rolling wheels required. Station wagons and 4-door sedans would be nice. Sell 'em by the bag so you'd have plenty, and the manufacturer could make some money on the low-priced units.

I am another one of those guys who aspire to model a railroad set in the late 1930’s to the mid-1940’s. We have very few suitable automobiles available, even if this was the time when steam was still plentiful and ice reefers, stock trains, heavyweight Pullmans, and narrow gauge were yet to become endangered species. I envy those modelers who are so well stocked that they can go to the dime store and carp about how much their vehicles cost—their eras are well-supplied. Ours aren’t.

Here are a few shots around the layout finished the cars and figures on the top of the layout got to work on the bottom and complete lighting. Can you spot what Mr. Bean did!!!!!!!

Building a layout, and growing up as a car nut in the 1950s, got me collecting "quality" cars. I'd guess my average price paid is about $40. each. A few were $200.+. On the other hand, I consider the $7. Yat Ming 1949 Cadillac convertible a "quality" model...hence I have all 5 colors: black, white, maroon, blue, and the limited production gold. 

Don't get me started on layout roads looking like parking lots full of "junk" models. 

Alot of interesting thoughts in this thread. Being a 60's hot rodder and loving my trains since I could walk it is an interesting question. I have spent over $100 on some die cast mostly trucks but every now and then I drop a lot on a car. My excuse for buying it is to put it on the layout. My thoughts are if you can afford it and you like it why not buy it. It can only improve the layout and sometimes I just have them on a shelve for display. That way I can enjoy looking at them with out the clutter of the layout.

TM Terry posted:

I have an opportunity to purchase a Brooklin diecast early '50's car for between $80 and $110. Is the attention to detail on Brooklin models significantly better ? I don't mind paying for quality, but would like to be obtaining better "noticeable" detail for greater expense.

 

I have very few Brooklin because most do not have the chrome trim around widows and on the car body. The few I have were detailed by pros for an extra $60..This, IMO, makes them not worth the $100.+ no matter how heavy they are. IMO, the "best bang for the buck" is American Excellence/NEO. Pricey at $80., but on the level of what used to cost 2 or 3 times that (from Motor City, Western, etc.).

I like the yatming cars they seem to be a little bit smaller than 1/43 and there priced well and have great detailing 

All my vehicles are bought from CVS or supermarket $5.99 displays. Most of those are 1:36 or thereabouts and I skip those but sometimes they have 1:43 and if it's something that I don't have I'll buy it from time to time. Lately they've had '52 Cadillac's in beige, black and pink. (I bought the black.)   I won't spend more than that on a car because I just don't see the point. The layout is about trains. The scenery and related elements are just there as a backdrop.

Right now I am liking the offerings from Menards, trucks, cars, lighted vehicles, for reasonable money! Only problem I have is their scale is all over the place so you have to be careful!

TM Terry posted:

 

I am happy with the appearance of the AHM car that I have.

It seems the only car they make is the Ford you have. It's fine, but I wasn't happy with the fact that the trim around the front vent windows is body paint. However, you need more than these Fords.

Certain, but not all, Franklin Mint 1:43 cars are very nice at eBay prices. My favorites are the '59 Ford retractable HT (not cheap), '49 Ford woodie wagon, both Packard convertibles, '57 Olds, '52 Hudson, and '55 Ford Sunliner,. Also look on eBay for BUBY models made years ago in Argentina. Very detailed '54 Mercurys, '56 DeSotos, and '53 Fords in many body styles and color combinations ($30-$40).

xrayvizhen posted:

 The layout is about trains. The scenery and related elements are just there as a backdrop.

Well, my layout is mainly about the scenery. The semi-scale trains are there so people don't think I just have a diorama of my 1950s childhood. They just think it's nice to have a hobby. 

Since model trains are my hobby, The automobiles, tracks and buses are there only to enhance the layout and add realism.   I often find these at the train shows in my area, both new and used. Some are 1/43 and others 1/48.  Except for the MTH buses the cars and trucks cost mostly $5 but there are a few $10 items.  Keeping with the 40's-50's theme of the layout, all vehicles are 30's. 40's and 50's pieces.

While model car collecting and display may be an actual hobby in its own right, I find them to be ancillary scenic items to the trains.  My railroad dollars are and will be directed towards the trains.

I tend to mix and match the basic stuff with some high end. If I need a specific vehicle (car or truck) to convey the image of the scene to a visitor or viewer, I will buy it. For me, it is part of the scene and important enough to warrant the cost.

Case in point is the Diesel Shop on my old layout. I needed a fuel delivery truck to complete the scene. I think it works. Looks like the passenger rear view mirror is ready to hit the ground!

Or, the utility truck at the Roundhouse.

Plus...I also like to collect them just like my trains.

Donald

3rail 2 posted:

I tend to mix and match the basic stuff with some high end. If I need a specific vehicle (car or truck) to convey the image of the scene to a visitor or viewer, I will buy it. For me, it is part of the scene and important enough to warrant the cost.

Case in point is the Diesel Shop on my old layout. I needed a fuel delivery truck to complete the scene. I think it works. Looks like the passenger rear view mirror is ready to hit the ground!

Or, the utility truck at the Roundhouse.

Plus...I also like to collect them just like my trains.

Donald

 

This must work because I clearly remember this vehicle! (fuel truck) It made a great impression on me when I first saw it and drew my eyes into the whole seen.

Now, I see that Chev pickup and it also looks great. I think a bunch of cheap vehicles thrown down makes the seen worse. Your eyes are drawn into the details and if they aren't there, well, I move on anyways.

 I have some older K line trucks that are going to be used in a factory type display with Sword trucks up front. Even with that, the less detailed ones need to be sandwiched closely so your eyes don't pick up on the difference.

Are you putting the vehicles next to 3 rail Williams or 70's Lionel diesels,....

or next to Overland 2 rail diesels?

TM Terry posted:

I should start by stating that my question has nothing to do with collectability value. I am trying to fill my scenery requirement of cars and trucks as it pertains to the layout as a whole.

Specifically:

I purchased a American Heritage Models 1950 Ford 4-Door Sedan for $25 ( I know that many consider $25 for a diecast cast pretty pricey.) I have an opportunity to purchase a Brooklin diecast early '50's car for between $80 and $110. Is the attention to detail on Brooklin models significantly better than AHM cars? I don't mind paying for quality, but would like to be obtaining better "noticeable" detail for greater expense.

I am happy with the appearance of the AHM car that I have.

Wow, too bad I just read the OP and see what was asked. Did anyone stay on topic?

At some of those prices, do the cars run and can they be controlled?  I saw a Lionel layout with slot cars years ago in a neighbor of my parents that we could see through the walk in basement door.  The slot cars got all the attention at Christmas time operation.

That diversion from the trains may apply to too many and too fancy model cars also.

Charlie

My model railroad has, perhaps, two dozen vehicles on it that complement the scenery and structures. I don't like the view of "Main Street" as a traffic jam so the vast majority of the vehicles that I own are in a box under the layout that I rummage through to pick out the cars and trucks when I want to change the scene. I don't worry about their scale as long as I think the specific vehicle fits into the scene.

Opinions are just opinions Terry. If you like the model, and its within your budget go for it. Its hard to say what the right or wrong answer is.

This "train forum" has folks that spend a few hundred bucks on postwar stuff and run it on green plywood. They enjoy it.

At the same time there are folks that spend thousands on scale locomotives running them on realistically detailed massive basement sized layouts and they're happy too.

One size doesn't fit all, but the end goal is the same.

I myself enjoy diecast vehicles as well, if I didn't spend so much on trains I could easily find myself amassing a large diecast collection. I find older trucks and constrution equipment especially interesting.

I feel good looking diecast vehicles compliment the trains.  Fairly accurate diecast cars also help "define" the era that your modelling.

I typically go to the "big auction site" enter in the era and type of vehicle I'm looking for and select lowest price first. Then scroll til I find a nice model at a decent price.

I've gotten a few nicely detailed models for a fraction of their going price by sellers who were clearing out another family members collection or whatever. The average person sees a "toy car" as a "toy car" and usually price it as such, as opposed to marketing it as a "highly detailed model".

My layout and trains have been a significant expenditure of time and money. Therefore, I'm willing to pay for and buy a few somewhat expensive ($30 for me) die cast autos to improve the layout. However, I'm not willing to spend amounts on the order of $100 for a die cast auto, even if it's one I would like to have, either for the layout or to collect and put on a shelf. On the other hand, I have model locomotives costing much more than that sitting on shelves. I think the trains were worth it because model railroading is my hobby. The autos are interesting but collecting them is not my hobby.

MELGAR

Yo me this was hard for Oscale. My HO stuff I had no problem because of the Hot Wheels and Matchbox vehicles. Most of them are just right.

Well, last year's October York I spent over an hour looking at a bunch of diecast cars. I had last days money(enough to buy either 1-2 things, or 5-8 little things). I ran back and forth from three vendors that had cars and eventually bought some discounted ones and two somewhat pricey ones. $15-$20 on discounted I think, pricey was $$25-$40 I think it was. One particular discounted one was a dump truck. That was what started me looking at vehicles in the first place.

After York I did purchase a few other vehicles, in the pricey to high. The high was a semi and trailer from Brooklin. I bought those because there was no other trucks that fell into what time period I'm modeling. If I modeling the late 1940's, things would be different.

The main thing is that there are deals out there, might take a while to find them though. Best of luck.

I only bought one expensive one $125 but I had, I think, good reason to.  I made a model of my parents' house, the one that my entire family grew up in, and also had a person (trainsformations) make a model of each family member.  I looked for years for the car that Dad owned when we first moved into that house in 1953.  Took years but found it:

It's not the correct color but it was all that they had at the time.  THEN I saw on their site that they had one in THE correct color so I arranged for a swap - but he charged me another $25 because he said mine was no longer mint since I took it out of the box.  I bit:

Disappointing in a way for $125.  Doors don't open, hood doesn't open, trunk doesn't open.  But he detail inside and outside is terrific.  Hard to see in though.

Other than that I would never spend more than $5 to $10 on a vehicle unless it had special meaning.  No one really studies them in my experiences hosting guests.

- walt

Well... it's only money. I just ordered a Brooklin 1954 Buick for about $90 including shipping. When I receive it I will start a new thread that makes a visual comparison (with pics) of the Brooklin 1954 Buick 4-Door Sedan vs the American Heritage Models 1950 Ford 4-Door Sedan. I will present as objective comparison as best I can and add my opinion concerning the outcome.