The diecast gods have smiled upon me today.

[berkut76]

I've got DJR's Sierra at retail price. So, it came to $96US, including shipping. A special thanks to Kevin and Irene from www.scale18.com, who sold me the model from a cancelled order instead of profiteering on it, by putting a Sierra on eBay.
Here my thoughts on this model as Minichamps v. Auto Art product comparison. Firstly, this model feels noticeably heavy in comparsion to a larger Falcon XD. I've noticed the same difference in weight while comparing AA and Kysoho's BMW 2002. Since Minichamps and Kysoho are coperating right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Minichamps "borrowed" some of the Kyosho 1:18 expertise while making this model. In terms of detail, Sierra blew me away with its truly life-like engine compartment and uderside detail in the fuel tank area. On the other hand, interior is definitely weaker than that of XD. For example, window cranks are molded in Minichamps product while the same cranks in XD are separate prieces. Furthermore, the wiring inside the car is painted on while Lowndes's Falcon has separate wires. Also the wheels detailing can use some work as well, as its nowhere near AA's Holdens. In sum, this model falls just shy of AutoArt effort. However, a special mention should go to a wonderfully executed Cossie engine.

Regards,
Sergey

[GTSCoup]

Great comparo Sergey, one problem that I see is that Autoart did not make the XD Falcon. It has been said on here before and my dealer has confirmed that Biante made the XD, not Autoart (or Kyosho as I have heard mentioned a few times as well).

[timbo333]

Well Done Berkut76 on the Sierra...

Gives me renewed hope of finding one at retial here in OZ...

Its become like the holy grail to me now...I must find one but will only pay retail...now theres a challenge!!!

Good comparison too...makes me want one even more:(

[VRSS]

A few weeks back, somone in the forums mentioned a shop in WA and posted their web address.

I went there and it said that they update their page every week.

I looked down the list a found they had a red R8 at $145 (retail price). I emailed them straight away about ordering the car.

Lo and behold, they replied saying that it had been sold the previous week! Seemed a bit sus considering the asking price of around $300 on the sell/auction sites since a week after they came on the market. So much for them updating their page!

[Aussiecollector]

In a thread last week Biante state that they don't sell Oz race cars to US distributors only road cars, is Scale18 not one of the biggest in the US. Was it a personal sale or part of his customer order.

Glenn

[berkut76]

Let me answer your questions to the best of my ability.
The Holdens mentioned in other threads are distributed worldwide by AutoArt in agreement with Biante. That's why more than a few retailers worldwide would have them in stock. In contrast, www.scale18.com is a small family-run business, and I presume it has a distribution agreement DIRECTLY with Biante. It gets about a dozen or so models of each Biante product. For me, buying from www.scale18.com saves a bunch on shipping. After currency conversions, the prices on Biante models are about the same (pre-sales tax) as they are in any Aussie shop.

Regards,
Sergey

[Aussiecollector]

Thanks sergey, but I was not looking for you to answer any questions.

What I said was that biante stated in another thread this week that no race cars are being released to resellers out of oz. If this is so how is scale 18 able to have them in numbers "12" you say!

If they are only to be sold by Australian retailers.

Glenn

[berkut76]

Glenn,
Why are you so upset that a miniscule amount of Biante models are available for sale outside Australia? Out of 12 Sierras available to Kevin only two(!) ended up staying in the US, including mine. As for XD "Tru Blu", I think there were no more than 3(!) available.
I haven't seen XE being offered for sale at all.

I Just want to put things in to prespective for you.

Reagrds,
Sergey

[Aussiecollector]

Sergey, Believe me, Iam not upset, I was merely pointing out the two threads that indicate different things which according to biante don't happen, thats all.

Glenn

Ps When Iam upset I use a lot more emotion than this.

[oldxr]

Well done berkut 76, i think the fact that you don't live in Oz is the reason you got it at retail and regretfully anyone in Oz wanting to buy one now will have to pay well above retail.
Top model though wasn't it.
cheers;)

[admin]

Originally posted by Aussiecollector
Sergey, Believe me, Iam not upset, I was merely pointing out the two threads that indicate different things which according to biante don't happen, thats all.

Glenn

Ps When Iam upset I use a lot more emotion than this.

Glenn, what I said was no race cars would be wholesaled to other countries..only road cars.
Kevin and I have known each other for yonks, probably before this frenzy started and as always, I send him some, usually 12, (but sometimes he only gets one for himself) of the classics and V8 racecars.
Its not bulk wholesale, just a couple for old times sake. Kevin is a collector and has bought from the website on many an occasion over the last 5-6 years, even when it was the Schumacher Fan Club site.

[Aussiecollector]

Thanks Admin, just asking (probing).

Any chance of a Mika box similar to the DC one released a couple of years ago. Or any other drivers in F1 or ATCC in the pipeline.


Glenn

[berkut76]

Hey admin,
Please don't cease suppliyng Kevin with your top notch product. Truth be told, about a dozen of models is enough to satisfy demand of North American collectors without "inconveniencing" your core audience. That being said, will Kevin receive any Twin Sets? Please feel free to reply privately: dubenko@ispwest.com

Regards,
Sergey