The afterthought of CMS Subaru STI Impreza Collection

I imported a full set 1/64 CMS Subaru Impreza STI Collection from Japan yesterday and it is a long story. When I first read about this collection in a Japan online shop, I gave a loud groan and hit my head on my desk. Subaru again? No Porsche, no Honda? Did CMS read my blog entry?I told myself, "Give CMS the benefit of the doubt, the photographs of the STI Impreza could be beautiful."

After seeing the first 14 pictures, I groaned again because they are nice but not special. I was thinking to myself, "14 down and 2 to go; then I can kiss this set goodbye.". Then, CMS threw me a curveball. The 15th and 16th model cars in the collection are STI Impreza GRB Blue Mica and GRB Pearl Black, nice change and two bright spots in the collection.

I ordered a set because of the GRB and I was ready to eat the other 14 model cars for dinner if they have no takers. The GRB model cars do not disappoint, they are excellent work: brilliant metallic paint and fine interior details.

This experience tells me one thing: CMS throws in few good cars with average ones and expects vendors to pay for them. The good cars sell for good price but we are stuck with the bad ones.

CMS employs the same practice with the new Subaru WRC set (June, 2009). Of the 15 cars, at least 12 are old cars along with Impreza WRC 2007 Mexico and Impreza WRC 2008 Japan.

This is a scary trend and I pray it will stop someday.

Kyosho Porsche ver. 3 Part 2

I got my Kyosho Porsche ver. 3 full set (30 pieces) on Tuesday evening. Technically, it is not a full set because the secret car, 911 GT3 RS Silver, is not there. For consolation, the quality of 911 GT3 RS Orange, Green and Black is so good that I would not trade any of them for the secret car. Well, I just have to keep my eye on the secret car in Japan and get it for a fair price.

The mistery of 911 Turbo is also revealed; the two 911 Turbo series in ver. 3 are 911 Turbo (964) and 911 Turbo (996) respectively. My favourite 911 Turbo (964) is the metaillic red one, cannot get my eye off it; the color and the shine complement each other incredibly well.



I also find 356A Speedster Ivory and 911R Ivory a pleasant surprise. Thank goodness, Kyosho does not paint 356A Speedster and 911R with the same white color of 911SC. I am not fond of 911SC white because it looks dirty even when it is brand new.

In overall, the car choices are excellent, we have classic cars (356A Speedster and 914), contemporary cars (911 Turbo (996) and Cayman S) and race cars (911 GT1 and 936). On the scale of 1 to 10, this is a perfect 10.

1/64 CMS Special Dealership Set

I don't know if there are Japanese diecast companies other than CMS Corporation that sell 1/64 special dealership sets. I have to say CMS have done an excellent job with them as the model cars are in fine detail with realistic sponsership logos and stickers. So far, CMS have manufactured five special dealership sets; three Suzuki SX4, one Mitsubishi set and one Subaru. In my opinion, the last Suzuki SX4 set is close to perfect but it can change with Nissan set that is due to release in March.

The set is comprised of Nissan Datsun Violet and 200SX and I am particularly intrigued by the 200SX piece. It is because the new 200SX has different paint than the counterpart in SS.14 and this one actually looks cooler. On the other hand, the new Datsun Violet bears strong resemblance to the counterpart in Nissan series. This will be the last complain you hear from me because I am glad that the company finally makes new Nissan diecasts since fall 2007, the time Nissan series was out in the market.

Nissan Set (Violet and 200SX)

I do not understand why CMS keeps producing Subaru, Citreon and Lancia because they are very saturated in the market and I am actually bored with them. I pray CMS will continuously delivery sexy diecasts to their fans who have been following them for years.

CMS, if you can hear me, let make Porshe rally cars or Honda rally cars.

Porsche Series 3 will be released in Feb 17, 2009.

I am so excited.
Last month, I found out that Kyosho will release Porsche Series 3 in February 17. This series is a definite upgrade of Sport USA collection and F1-McLaren collection. Of the 30 cars, my favorites are 911 GT3 RS and 936, especially 936. Two of the three 936 cars are race cars with Martini printed on car body; the third one is test car in pure white. I am surprised to see the re-release of 911 Turbo in this series, wonder what the manufacture year of this real car was. When they are out in the market, I do not think I can keep my eyes off them. Everything is cool with the series but I am not cool with the price due to high Japanese Yen exchange rate.