AutoArt Diecasts - Anyone know where you can get them cheap?

[comquat1]

I'm just starting to collect die cast cars and in my looking around at the available manufacturers, AutoArt seems to have a good name and good looking quality. Does anyone know where you can source some of these things for a reasonable price? Alot seem to be in the $75-$100 range, which when you start adding up the numbers, I'm looking at a new set of rears for the track!

Anyone got a favorite website that puts them down around the 40-50 range? I'm interested in 1:18 scale size.

 

[0ctan3]

sorry, can't really help with this one- but anyone else read the recent (I think it was in Car and Driver this past summer) article about the Auto Art factory in China?
It was quite interesting.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

the place I use to get models is:
http://www.idcow.com/

They don't have ALL the AutoArt models, but they have a decent selection. Other than that, I don't know...you can always try Ebay too...some good deals on there sometimes.

 

[NSX2398]

My son has collected about 150 1:18 die-cast cars over the last 7 years or so. We've shopped a variety of venues including the Detroit and Toronto auto shows; online at http://www.exoticar.com/pages/index.cfm and http://www.eautomobilia.com/index.htm; Wal-Mart; Costco; etc. Auto-Art is at the top end of quality and rarely carried by the traditional volume retailers (unlike Maisto, Hot Wheels, Road Legends, etc). In our experience, you'll rarely get the kind of deep discount deal on an Auto-Art model from a dealer that you're suggesting. eBay is probably your best route if you're trying to get a bargain.

 

[FuryNSX]

Which Auto-Art vehicles are you looking for? Some of the "regular" cars like Evos, STIs, 350Zs, Skylines, Integra/RSXs, etc. can be bought for around $40 - $50 locally (San Diego and Orange County area). I'll often find them in obscure places like a shopping mall kiosk selling die-cast cars, the local large scale (stadium parking lot) swapmeet, or an Asian market where there's maybe four or five small shops attached to it.

 

[FuryNSX]

sorry, can't really help with this one- but anyone else read the recent (I think it was in Car and Driver this past summer) article about the Auto Art factory in China?
It was quite interesting.

Yup, I read it too. It was amusing to hear how, due to export fees/credits, it was incredibly expensive to purchase their own product.

 

[comquat1]

Which Auto-Art vehicles are you looking for? Some of the "regular" cars like Evos, STIs, 350Zs, Skylines, Integra/RSXs, etc. can be bought for around $40 - $50 locally (San Diego and Orange County area). I'll often find them in obscure places like a shopping mall kiosk selling die-cast cars, the local large scale (stadium parking lot) swapmeet, or an Asian market where there's maybe four or five small shops attached to it.

I've been wanting more of the JGTC cars. I got all four (that I know of) of the muscle machine jgtc's that were at Target. Those, at least to me, were of quite good quality and the price was unbeatable. I wish they would have made more.

 

[FuryNSX]

I've been wanting more of the JGTC cars. I got all four (that I know of) of the muscle machine jgtc's that were at Target. Those, at least to me, were of quite good quality and the price was unbeatable. I wish they would have made more.

I'll keep an eye out for them. I haven't noticed them yet. If I see them at a reasonable price at the type of places I mentioned, I'll post on this thread.

 

[The Kid]

SAMS club, BJ's and Costco are normally a good spot for Maisto models. They're very good quality and extremly detailed. Last year I bought 40 of them for $9.99 a piece Ive got about 100 1:18 scale cars and a slew of others. I cant wait till I move into my new house and car finally display them properly. They are still in their original boxes.

 

[comquat1]

SAMS club, BJ's and Costco are normally a good spot for Maisto models. They're very good quality and extremly detailed. Last year I bought 40 of them for $9.99 a piece Ive got about 100 1:18 scale cars and a slew of others. I cant wait till I move into my new house and car finally display them properly. They are still in their original boxes.

With regards to keeping them in "mint condition" inside they boxes, what are the chances that these types of cars will go up in value? Is there any? I prefer to take mine out of the box and dispay them around the house. It's like the NSX, what's the point of buying it if all it's gonna be is a garage queen?