Almost Real News 2021 / 2022
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Even more pics at the below. $400 ish seems to be what they're charging but it does look good
【850401001】Pagani パガーニ - Dreams Get Almost Real
Pagani Zonda F - 2005 - Grigio Mercurio Scale 1/18 【商品番
almostreal-jp.com
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584 Posts
I’m really torn on this one… When Almost Real said they were going to make a diecast fully opening Zonda years back, they said it would come at a price of around $200. Times have of course changed, and especially with the global pandemic and pricing of materials going through the roof, I can’t say I’m too surprised with the price after pondering on it for a while. My initial reaction of course was disappointment, and felt like I was bait and switched. I am, however, extremely excited that a fully opening high end diecast Zonda finally exists! I have been waiting for one of these for YEARS and have been asking AUTOart non stop to make one. I have the AA Zonda Revolucion, and while it’s an amazing model, it still isn’t a road car and gives off race car vibes. That model was $325 and I gladly paid it a few years ago, so really $75 more isn’t too far fetched for this. I just really am not sure if I just get this one now, or hold off and be patient for a color scheme that I really do want. I’m just afraid these will sell out quick, and once the other colors are released, what if they aren't ones I like, or take forever to get released? This will be a forever model for me, as the Zonda is in my top 5 all time favorite cars. I just don’t know if I should hold out for something better, or finally add the Zonda to the collection and just potentially sell this one once a better F spec, Tricolore or Cinque comes out. I could also wait for the LCD Barchetta too. Hard decisions
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You summed up my feelings exactly. Our experiences are nearly identical too; including owning an AA Zonda Revolucion, but always wishing for a Zonda road car that's just as beautiful.
I even pre-ordered the LCD Barrchetta months ago because of this feeling!
I was just as torn on whether to pre-order this and had to sleep on it. While I like the color, there's a bunch of other colors and specs I'd choose over this - the decals give me pause as well, though I understand their significance. Against better judgment and powered by extreme FOMO, I did put in a pre-order. I'm not sure if I'd recommend this because I am a fool and I have a lot of issues to work through.
Now that I've done that, we'll, with hope, hear announcements of new colors and variations shortly. This happens every time I cave in and pre-order something.
The site I ordered from doesn't appear to be out of stock as of writing this, so that's a good sign.
My assumption is that the waiting and the higher-than-stated prices are creating an air of mild disappointment around this model. It appears the community is taking a wait-and-see approach. 200~250 USD would have been a no-brainer for most collectors.
Depending on how much mental energy you want to expend on this, consider setting aside funds for this in a reasonable investment and wait for more information.
You'll find out whether the model is good enough either way. Potential scalper prices will be painful and unfair, but you may reach a point of clarity (and investment returns) where the frustration of missing out on what the price should have been no longer matters.
Patience does win in the end.
I even pre-ordered the LCD Barrchetta months ago because of this feeling!
I was just as torn on whether to pre-order this and had to sleep on it. While I like the color, there's a bunch of other colors and specs I'd choose over this - the decals give me pause as well, though I understand their significance. Against better judgment and powered by extreme FOMO, I did put in a pre-order. I'm not sure if I'd recommend this because I am a fool and I have a lot of issues to work through.
Now that I've done that, we'll, with hope, hear announcements of new colors and variations shortly. This happens every time I cave in and pre-order something
.The site I ordered from doesn't appear to be out of stock as of writing this, so that's a good sign.
My assumption is that the waiting and the higher-than-stated prices are creating an air of mild disappointment around this model. It appears the community is taking a wait-and-see approach. 200~250 USD would have been a no-brainer for most collectors.
Depending on how much mental energy you want to expend on this, consider setting aside funds for this in a reasonable investment and wait for more information.
You'll find out whether the model is good enough either way. Potential scalper prices will be painful and unfair, but you may reach a point of clarity (and investment returns) where the frustration of missing out on what the price should have been no longer matters.
Patience does win in the end.
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433 Posts
The initial batch is sold out at racingheroes.com
I just noticed two listings on show up on ebay. One seller from China and another from South Korea. Prices are 400 - 460 USD+ shipping.
Diecast Society says that initial shipment was low. More should be arriving in mid October this year.
Head's up for anybody who preordered any Paganis from Toronto Motorsports:
A fellow in the comments section on Diecast Society said that he received an email from Toronto Motorsports saying that they would NOT be honoring his preorder.
They've canceled the order and have removed Almost Real models from their website.
I just noticed two listings on show up on ebay. One seller from China and another from South Korea. Prices are 400 - 460 USD+ shipping.
Diecast Society says that initial shipment was low. More should be arriving in mid October this year.
Head's up for anybody who preordered any Paganis from Toronto Motorsports:
A fellow in the comments section on Diecast Society said that he received an email from Toronto Motorsports saying that they would NOT be honoring his preorder.
They've canceled the order and have removed Almost Real models from their website.
Yeah that was me
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584 Posts
I just checked their website and it said they still have some for order, unless if that changes when you add payment to check out? Either way, after much thought and back and forth on the matter, I’ve decided to just wait. I have reached out to Isaac Chan on facebook and have verbally reserved one with him now, so I won’t have to pay anything until he gets them in.
Seems like the PR for this release and sale are a nightmare. Not really surprised though for how long we’ve been waiting for this to come out since the first sample came out in what, 2016?
One thing I noticed in the Diecast Society review was that the paint on the suspension wishbones seemed to be damaged. Looks like something might be fouling on them. I'll be waiting to see if others experience that issue before committing any cash on one.
They also mentioned that the "i" of Pagani is obscured by the side indicator, so it's now a Pagan Zonda. That's something else entirely, right?
They also mentioned that the "i" of Pagani is obscured by the side indicator, so it's now a Pagan Zonda. That's something else entirely, right?
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Hmm, I'm not really sure where you see those issues. I looked at the official photos of the Zonda, and the suspension paint looks solid, no issues. There also isn't a Pagani logo near the side indicator, so not really sure where that would happen. The front has the Pagani emblem near the windshield on the carbon bridge piece, and there is only the Zonda F logo on the back. Only other times it says Pagani on the entire car is the door sills, and there is a metal emblem behind the seatsOne thing I noticed in the Diecast Society review was that the paint on the suspension wishbones seemed to be damaged. Looks like something might be fouling on them. I'll be waiting to see if others experience that issue before committing any cash on one.
They also mentioned that the "i" of Pagani is obscured by the side indicator, so it's now a Pagan Zonda. That's something else entirely, right?
EDIT
I see what you mean now, after looking at the DS review. My guess is that it being a sample model, people are handling it a lot and not being as careful as collectors are. It's probably being opened up and closed shut hard many times, so there is bound to be some damage.
I also see what you mean about the side indicator. It's so small that it looks like there is some glue overlap. You can slightly see the "I" towards the end, but I agree I hope it is all sorted out for the final production model.
Interesting spots though!
My concern is that there shouldn't be any way for that damage to occur even if the model is handled; there ought to be a clearance around the wishbones. The fact it's happening on both sides in the same way rings alarm bells that something doesn't fit properly.
I hear what you're saying about the official photos, but if I were taking official photos I'd make damn sure that the subject was flawless, so I'd be cherry picking the best one that's come off the production line. I'm happy to wait for other collectors to post some 'warts and all' photos showing what the regular ones look like, especially given the price.
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looks sensational to me though its disappointing and a little bit ridiculous they didnt end up including that special case given the final rrp
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Maybe I'm late to saying this, but I too have wanted a halfway decent 1:18 Zonda F for years, and this still isn't it, no way am I gonna pay $400 for that. I don't like the sponsor decals and the marked tires, and besides, when Almost Real was first talked about on here they were supposed to be a cheaper alternative to Autoart. It's good to see others in this thread not buying the hype.
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