(if I had to blow all of my money on a diecast, I'd get a shop to build me a one off...not sure what, but probably one of my fav Chry Co concept cars).
If I had to give a teenager a model to explain how special this hobby is, that would be tough. At first, I would be inclined to give them a really well detailed diecast to show them just how impressive they can be...like a Minichamps 1/18 1930 Bentley Lemans, or a 1/12 Museum Masterpiece 1957 Chevy (w/working lights)......but then again, I think the best thing to do is to give them a really nice scale version of whatever their favorite car is, so that they can truly feel a connection with it. My fav car when I was a kid was the Dodge Viper, and no surprise, one of my early diecasts was a Bburago 1992 Viper RT/10. 20 yrs later, and I still have it , and it's still my favorite.
New Dodge Challenger or classic 1970s Dodge Challenger.....which would you prefer, and in what color/trim?