Diecast Models FAQs

Comments (3)

• #1 by Mack Man at June 12th, 2009

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  It depends on what your criteria is for “best”.

  Hot Wheels are relatively inexpensive, small, and have some really cool cars. They tend to go for the hottest trends and styles. They do make millions of them so few cars gain much value. The few that do increase in value can be very hard to get and frustrating.

  Matchbox cars are generally more plain, though they do have some nice once and take on some crazy styles. Both Matchbox and Hot Wheels are owned by Mattel, though each has a unique market strategy. They are also inexpensive, but generally more boring than Hot Wheels, so they tend to have not increase in value whatsoever.

  Both old redline Hot Wheels and old Matchbox cars are highly collectable. Recent or current production is not likely to be valuable in the future at all.

  Beyond the two major players, there is Johnny Lightning in smaller scales. Expensive, some nice cars, but again little collectable value. There are quite a few types of diecast cars that can be collected in 1/43, 1/24, and 1/18 or 1/16 scales. The level of detail generally increases with scale, but so does the cost. Larger cars take up more space and some appreciate very little in value, while others become instant collectables.

  Personally, I say collect what YOU like. If you are collecting for the hope of making a fortune some day, forget it. Today’s hot collectable is tomorrow’s unsellable item. I liked Hot Wheels as a kid. Then I bought some as a young adult on a tight budget with limited space, so that worked for me. I do have some Matchbox and Johnny Lightnings that were cool. Very few large scale cars for lack of space and money. I like Buick Grand National’s and T-Types, so I buy those. I also like Mustangs. Mack trucks are my favorite, so I have Hot Wheels, Matchbox, First Gear and other types of those.

  Franklin Mint makes some of the nicest detailed cars. Nice enough that you couldn’t do much better if you did it yourself. But you pay for them so you won’t collect as many. The variety of choices tends to be smaller with larger scales too.

• #2 by Lionheart at June 12th, 2009

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  I think they make millions of each car, so they wouldn’t increase in value in the future. And they also make the stupidest looking vehicles. Match Box is better because they are based on real vehicles and are relatively cheap. But in the end it always depends on what you like the best.

• #3 by roy m at June 12th, 2009

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  best cars to collect are corgi dinky or days gone by or lido