Peugeot 307 WRC - Tamiya worst !

[rallymaster]

Hello all,
after several weeks to be patient waiting the kit, I received this morning the new 307 WRC from Tamiya...
And I cannot keep what I feel for me, cos' this kit is worth that all I expected when we discussed about die-cast under panel...!
So I come to share what I think about it:

first of all, I have the feeling of having a Heller or even a Bburago kit to build !
- wheel arches are one part, "meta-piece", as we can find in a Heller or Bburago !!
- inside chassis has a big cylinder growing on it to make builder able to fix the bolt of the under panel through ! Only spare wheel will hide it...

second bad feeling, worst modeling quality level !
- less parts that usual, less detail on it than ususal (for example no sculpture any more on brakes disk - to make people buy PE transkit ?!?)
- Inside chassis is only one short part to be placed between the two wheel arches meta-pieces ! as heller uses to do !
- A impressive lack of details on the kit in general, nothing under the chassis any more, due to the die-cast panel, what seems no transformation allowed ! forget gravel version, guys !
- the transmission parts are now crossed by the bolt location, and are so two parts looking like nothing to fix under the chassis... nothing but bad Heller or Bburago parts !

And finally the worst of all, the under panel !! A big dirty cream white of metal heavy as a dead horse and completly unneeded on a WRC car !!

the only positive points are the great quality of decal, the finest quality of molded parts (especially lights pods), and more of all... the expected version of last Peugeot WRC !!

I have never been so disappointed with a kit as far as I can remember building some !
for a plastic kit, it's only a way back in modelling quality and interest...
Fortunatly I also ordered too two Studio 27 celica ST165 and St205 TK for Christmas, and the new Profil24 Metro 6R4, and that's some nicest kits and transkits ever !

bye
Phil

[manu80]

I was pretty sure of that but unfortunately if people keep buying their kits ( I know it's a long debate...) they'll keep going that way..... But as i said in my previous post in the other topic on the 307, paying that price for 2 sprue of plastic WITHOUT the PH etched is a bit of a robbery....
on the other hand sure it's a new kit etc.....let's wait that new NSX ....it might be funny......
MANU

[aeroace]

umm...for lazy guy(like me), one piece chassi maybe a good point...but a bare break disc is unforgiveble!!!!

[SteveK2003]

I think we all have to take a stand here, and just agree to NOT BUY THIS KIT. The reason the 'armor' modelers will always get so many variations of kits, and so many completely new kits, is because they are so fickle and will not buy an half-assed effort. Tamiya will only listen to their customers if these models just sit on store shelves.

Ahead of time we knew this was going to be a disappointing effort, but most of us said "..but I'll probably pick one up anyway". Manufacturers don't really care if the money leaves your wallet begrudgingly, it's still worth the same to them.

We need to tell hobby shops not to stock this, because we will not buy it and do not want them to have unsold stock on the shelves. We also need to spread the word, and let as many people as possible know that we are trying to make this kit a financial failure for Tamiya.

It looks like I am going to have to go with resin kits and transkits myself: I already have the Metro 6R4 and the Red Bull Skoda Fabia on order.

[manu80]

damn right but on the other hand if no one buys them will they even produce again some "old school" kits ? like "they don't want new stuff? well f*** em...."
Personnaly I've gone to the dark side by buying only resin kits, like ST27 etc....at least it's worth the money....and variety of kits....
i may make a gallery of my stuff if you guys don' tmind, but no showing off , just sharing, it could give you some ideas with your Xmas money

MANU

[gionc]

As said in the prev. 307/Nsx threads Tamiya managements're still invested TH usd on such kits's molds: they know exactly how much kits they'll sell next: not any marketing experiment, only the new way to make models for next years: perfect molds, lack of details, upgrade parts. On the other hand a new WRC kit. I will check in the LHS but I don't think to buy it: so I'll begin to be "a old school Tamy guy".
This manner to make money: that not exclude that tamy do next some other fantastic stuff, like the Enzo, called in Italy "skylark's mirror" like a "testimonial" to show know-how and producing skills level.

[rallymaster]

Thanks for your opinions...
Well, what I think with non-buying behaviour is that it could make Tamiya simply stop WRC productions...! and keep producing other subjects more popular...
And as much bad is this kit, as much I want to have this 307 WRC in my collection, especially because I am a Peugeot fan !
so is there a real possible ending to that problem ? as some say it right, Tamiya knows that even if people doesn't really enjoy that, most will buy it !
the only good think that could happen is that another brand (as hasegawa for example) produces the same kit in the same time with a better standard ! but it's not really an other brands positive strategy to sell same things...
And finally the worst thing is I guess the fact that this new standard kit is a problem for improved modelers, limiting modelling and detailling possibilities, but its own quality (plastic, decal, body accuracy etc) is still one of the best - if not the best - of all brands and kits may become now more accessible to newbies...
So choice is simple: accept that new way back in modelling pleasure, or forget the kit and lose one of the favorite in a collection !?!?
Could we choose between cut an arm or cut a leg ?

Phil

[manu80]

wait til you see the subaru WRC 2005 from hasegawa..it's announced simplified for builders.... Compared to die cast a kit to a lot of people is too expensive (paint detail time etc....) so they're simplifying a lot. On the other hand ,we've never been so picky and there are sooo many aftermarket stuff now that it's hard to built OOB......
dilemna huh?

[Vladamor]

Something like that happend to me with the Nissan 350 Z, stock versio... I said, "What the hell is that??" when open the box... It has details, but, no possibilities of do anything else in the model, because the diff and suspension systems are all joined direct from box... What's happening?? But, in the other hand, the Evo VII WRC is full of details and possibilities, because it have a lot of parts to glue, what means more chances to do new things to the kit...
We'll have to create a post with the models that they're doing in that way...

SEE YOU

[Veyron]

I have one experience of building with Tamiya's diecast chassis...I don't mind not having detail underneath but as that project was somewhat of a custom the metal was much harder to modify than plastic would have been.

I realize a lot of modelers like all the chassis detail but my biggest complaint is that the material is metal.

[Asmenoth]

I don't like being forced to have to buy the PE parts. They did not do this with the new F40, that kit came with the parts...and cost LESS! The hell?!?

Their new armor kit have functional suspenion, PE set and an aluminum barrel...and is resonable on the price. This is probably a response to what Dragon has been doing with their kits.

What Tamiya needs is a swift kick from some other modeling company that does cars. Tamiya quality, PE parts, seat belts and such...at a cheaper price. Mabye Dragon should start doing cars.

[Vladamor]

Dragon were doing cars some time ago... I think the company able to do that can be Aoshima. They have to improve some things, but I think they can kick Tamiya's ass if they want...

[SteveK2003]

I got a set of 1/72 Humvees from Dragon, and they are excellent: SIX different marking options, photoetched set, and TWO complete kits in one body for $11.

If Dragon makes cars, I'll be there.

[exhaust smoke]

If Dragon makes cars, I'll be there.[/quote]

I think Dragon's car kits were repackaged Hasegawa/Revell kits. The BMW I bought certainly looked like that, just with a different livery.

As for the 307, I was very dissappointed. The same as with the GT versions of the 350Z (sorry, can't remember it's real name). Those kit subjects had so much potential!! I love Tamiya kits, but lately they seem to be going backwards and revell-like producing 'easy assembly' to attract children. Unfortunately, the kits end up looking like toys!!



Right modellers, lets put together a signed petition and take it to Tamiya!! If the new NSX is going to be die-cast chassis, Tamiya is not going to make my money! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

[Vladamor]

So, the racing Z don't worth their price?... None??
Bad thing...