Is there a good place online to get good quality modern n scale cars, trucks, etc for your layout? Ebay sells a lot of junk that goes for 8-9 bucks a car, which is ludicrous considering how small and undetailed they are. I know WS makes stuff but they all seem to be from the 50's. I'm looking for modern. Thanks!!!
classic metal works! Good stuff. Walthers.com has the majority of the easily found stuff, get it from a discount retailer and you're all set! Forget Ebay- $4 shiping for a $6 1" long truck? No flippin' way.
Probably the best way to find out what is out there is to check Walthers website, find what you want, and then get a hobby shop to order it for you. (Edit: Wig-Wag was able to order the Wiking VW Tiguan and VW Passat for me.) There was a thread on this topic a few months back on the Atlas Forum. Unfortunately, I am not sure how to directly link to that thread. However, here is a list (in alphabetical order by model manufacturer) of plastic injection molded N scale models of automobiles, vans, SUVs and light trucks in which a prototype with the same body style as the model sold as a new model in one or more years from 1999 to the present. Atlas Ford Taurus (1996 – 1999; slight styling changes for 1998-99) Atlas Ford F-150 (mid 1996 – 2003; also available as a Heritage Edition model in 2004) Busch Mercedes ML Class (1997 – 2001; similar to 2002-2005) Busch Smart Fortwo (1998 – 2007 for “gray market” in U.S.) Busch Mercedes C Class (2001 – 2007; slight styling changes for 2005-07) Busch Audi A4 sedan (2002 – 2005) Busch Audi A4 station wagon (2002 – 2005) Herpa BMW 3 Series E46 (mid 1998 – 2001) Herpa Mercedes CLK (1998 – 2002) Herpa Volkswagen Passat (mid 1998 – 2005) Herpa Porsche 911 (1999 – 2004) Herpa Volkswagen Golf IV (1999 – 2005) Herpa MINI Cooper S (2002 – 2007) Herpa Mercedes B Class (2006 – present in Canada) Kato Lexus RX 300 (1998 – 2002) Kato Lexus IS 300 (mid 2000 – 2005) Rietze Audi A4 (1996 – 2001) Rietze Audi A6 station wagon (1998 – 2004) Wiking Mercedes SL Class (1990 – 2001) Wiking Volkswagen Eurovan (1992 – 2003) Wiking Mercedes E Class (1996 – 2002) Wiking Porsche Boxter (1997 – 2005) Wiking Volkswagen New Beetle (mid 1998 – 2005; similar to 2006-present) Wiking Audi A6 sedan (1998 – 2004) Wiking Volkswagen Passat (mid 1998 – 2005) Wiking Mercedes G Class (2002 – present; 1979-2001 for "gray market") Wiking Volkswagen Tiguan (Mid 2008 – present) Wiking Volkswagen Passat (mid 2006 – present) Photos of all but three of the models (Herpa Mercedes CLK and the two most recent Wiking releases) can be found in my Railimages album. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/page/2/ppuser/6278 Carter
Carter's list is pretty good for RTR vehicles. I also suggest you check out Willmodels cast resin vehicle. eBay Store - willmodels: N-Scale Vehicles, N-Scale Stuctures, HO-Scale Structures Here is what they look painted: (Silver car is a Wiking Golf for comparison) GHQ Models makes some great pewter vehicle kits. GHQ Models Catalog: N Scale Model Railroad Miniatures Showcase Miniatures produces some nice trucks in pewter. http://showcaseminiatures.com/ CnC Models also produces some very nice pewter kits. N Scale Products
I should add that some of the Tomytec vehicles are usable as well. Car Collection No. 8 has four body styles of vans. They are 1:150 scale, but I found the Honda Odyssey usable. What makes the Honda work is that the 1:150 scale First Generation Odyssey is nearly the same size as a 1:160 scale Second Generation Odyssey. Plaza Japan's eBay store has the full Car Collection 8 as well as the basic sets from the earlier car collections. The Kato Volvo VN 780 is the only truly modern semi-tractor, and as long as you don't look at the back side of the cab, it is usable and available from most online hobby shops. The first run with the white tractor is pretty well sold out, but a second run with a red tractor and factory printed detailing will be available in a few months. Carter
There's guys on the bay that sell 50-100 for the modern era. they range from.99- 16.00, for the same thing. I picked a 50 car bag for $2 something + s/h & I was pleasantly surprized on how nice these car are. I will be buying more.
Some pretty good sources in this thread; I found one other that I've used also. Called DM Toys out of Germany. I've gotten a Nissan Z, Toyota coupe, Nice delivery truck and a couple of others I'm not remembering at the moment. http://www.en.dm-toys.de/ Mike I purchased some of those vehicles and I agree surprising how nice they are. I use them everywhere on the layout. Fill for a Toyota Dealership, Autoracks, around town.
N Scale Veicle Association One way to keep up with all the new items and kitbash ideas is to join the Yahoo Groups N Scale Vehicle Association. Cater Frischle is the moderator and has posted in this thread with some very good information. Check Carter's signature for a link to the group.
Like mentioned, the Tomix cars aren't too bad, even if they are slightly oversized, but if used creatively can be used to force perspective. Or just use them on not such highlighted areas just to populate parking lots, and things on the back of your layout. I have seen them used in a way you can't really notice their oversize-ness.. The sell pretty cheap on ebay in lots.. for well under a buck ea..
I realize this post was a while back but I haven't been on Trainboard for a while. I just noticed your comments about forgetting ebay for finding N-scale cars. My store is http://stores.ebay.com/willmodels Average price per car is $5.00, a little higher for trucks depending on their size and type. The product pics are close-up, clear and not touched-up. Shipping is free within the states and we have a money back guarantee. I agree that a lot of what's on ebay is pure over-copied crap. That's one of the reasons I got into this business. Give us a look.
As good as GHQ, with more up to date modern "grocery getters" and his International Durastar is sweet! Shipping to Canada is fast and more than fair priced. Gems that get overlooked in a sea of rough cast E-bay crap.
I mentioned before on the "latst purchase" thread, Willmodels is the only place I know of to get replaement N scale wheels for the resin auto & truck models that have lost them. He has several varieties for autos, little trucks, bigger trucks, etc. Not the biggest deal in the world, but it is the little needed things that seem to be the harder things to find these days!
