[GnatGoSplat]

Only having started collecting since Oct, I missed out on a lot of models I would really like to have today.

Really wish I'd picked up one of these GT Autos VW Phaetons when they were only $65usd brand new.

I really want a Kyosho black BMW 760Li E66 Individual. Pretty sure they didn't cost this much when new. I don't think I want one that bad.

Been searching high and low for a black full-opening W126. I think Norev is the only one. At this price though, I'll be searching a long time.

I regret not starting this hobby a lot sooner!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

1) IMO you are not missing much on the GT Autos Phaeton. These are a bit crude with many misaligned/misfitting parts, and poor level of finish. You'd be better off with the series 1 Phaeton made by AutoArt, these can still be found at somewhat affordable prices.

2) The price on that W126 is totally insane. Is that from a seller named "bpowerful4sure"? All his listing are stupid high priced, I would never buy anything of him if I lived in the US.
If you could compromise and get either the dark blue or the dark green, these can still be had in the $100 to $200 bracket.

1. The GT Autos Phaeton is LWB. The Kyoto and AUTOart are SWB. I think the additional length makes the car look more slender/sleeker with more presence in both 1:1 and 1:18 (in the US, most 1:1s sold were LWB). I know it's not perfect, but I'm really liking what I see in @Alex SZ1996 's photo post. His pics make me feel pretty strong on my preference for LWB.

2. The W126 is indeed being sold by bpowerful4sure. I wonder if he ever gets lucky and finds that one desperate buyer? Unfortunately for him, I'm not that desperate. There's a dark blue used one for $145 shipped from Japan, but I really do prefer black as I'm shooting for a black theme. In this case, I might prefer a sealed black iScale for $111 over full opening dark blue.

Although if I'm going to go sealed, the Otto OT297 is actually my favorite, looks-wise.

Yikes.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I regret not bidding higher on this one. I had a max of $131-something (+shipping & tax would have been about $162 total).

3 sold recently for $410.64 buy it now. I guess I was too hung up on the fact it's a sealed resin with ugly silver-painted chrome trim and I couldn't see paying more than I'd pay for a nice, fully-opening diecast with realistic chrome trim. I should have focused more on the subject matter. I love these old 4-door boats with the excessively long hood and trunk, and feel like I might have squandered my only chance to get one. Partly also wanted it because it makes me think of my dad's first car he got when he immigrated to the US, an early 70s black Buick Electra sedan.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Didn't think I'd want to spend too much on a broken model (already would be $173 after tax for the price it went for). Although in hindsight, I feel like I should have bid higher as it looks like an easy fixer. I would love to have one in my collection, but not for the $300-400 they go for.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Blimey, they sell for $300-400 now! No way! many years ago I got one new for £40, But when I came to unscrew it one of the screws was stuck and wouldn't come out. I lost it and smashed the model up, put it on ebay and got more than I paid for it. It even had a bit of a bidding war.

Unfortunately for someone that wants one, it does look like they're selling in that range. Not sure what the first one actual sold for, but I can't imagine they'd have accepted a lowball offer. Prices of discontinued models is awful.