Returning from the Dark Ages

fullycompletely

Hey all,

Was feeling nostalgic for my youth and looked on ebay at lego. I ended up getting an old dino attack set - the jurassic park looking jeep. Built it yesterday and loved it. Want to get a few more, but the current sets look geared primarily to kids to me though. The buildings look cool. Anyone recommend a good set for and adult? Hope this post is in the right place.

Brickarmor

Really depends on your interests: space, city, castle (fantasy or other), buildings, vehicles, etc etc. But I think the one set right now almost everyone agrees on is the Haunted House. You could pick one up before Double VIP ends, sales on it are once in a blue moon. Brickset is very easy to browse, you can read and watch reviews, many sets get discussed here in the forum... An abundance of riches!

ColoradoBricks

Agree on the #10228 haunted house, at a lower price point, #79003 "An Unexpected Gathering" is also a great build

Briking

^^^ Sets for adults? Agree on HH, but also the Modulars every time. And then un-haunt HHW to make it a modular (That'll be my next project).

fullycompletely

That one definitely caught my eye. Looks really really cool. I'm a bit more interested in vehicles though. They HH is like 180 right? Something to think about. Might start saving...

I actually picked up the alien conquest 7066 on lunch today for $75 at a local toy shop on sale... Looks really cool. Kinda reminds me of the old space sets.

What about the turtles truck? Looks kinda cool and I think my kid would like it. Opinions on the web seem a bit divided...

LeonC

Personally, if you like vehicles I'd go for a creator set. They're what got me out of my dark ages and imo they're probably most like building an old classic Lego set - none of the big moulded parts you get in city sets. The new #31006 is a good little build if you want something cheap, or something like #7347 if you want to spend a bit more. Or push the boat out and go for the VW camper #10220.

tamamahm

Everyone listed the main ones I would have said...
HH, Unexpected gathering, Modulars.
I would add Winter Theme. My son is drooling over the Lone Ranger Mine.
None of those are vehicles, though.

I'm not a big vehicle fan, but my son loved Alien Conquest. We really liked 7066. We thought it was the best of the line.

We have been very slow to warm to Galaxy Squad, but if you like 7066, you may like the Galaxy Titan set coming out this summer. This is the one my son really wants.
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=70709-1

70704 was the one other set my son was drawn to. He bought it with his allowance and I do think it is a fun little set, and from a playability standpoint (since you mentioned your son), it has a ton of playability. The vehicle contains a mini-vehicle and a mech that both can come out. There is the alien scorpion and the alien pod as well that come with it.

nkx1

If you like adult-oriented vehicle sets, there are a number of pretty cool Technic sets out now such as:
-Unimog #8110
-Logging truck #9397
-Grand Prix Racer #42000
-Helicopter #9396


I'm looking forward to Mobile Crane MKII #42009 and Service Truck #42008. Aside from Technic, someone already mentioned the Creator sets which are pretty cool. Beyond what's been mentioned in this thread, I would just browse around here on Brickset. I normally browse by year and sort the results by number of pieces (descending). That way, the larger and more interesting sets are shown on the first page of results.

If I may offer a teeny bit of advise that will hopefully save you some money and hassle, I would only buy the sets you really like, and not necessarily the sets that you come across that are a good deal. When I emerged from the dark ages, I went a little overboard and bought every set that even remotely peaked my interest. I ended up with way too many Lego sets I didn't truly want and a lighter wallet!

piratemania7

If you have any interest in "city" or just pure adult oriented sets start looking at the modulars. Go for Fire Brigade and maybe Grand Emporium. Good sets and who knows when they will retire; other than that spend wisely and the bigger the better. Invest your money in LEGO by buying bigger sets so you can enjoy them more and spend more time building (and playing) with the set!

fullycompletely

Ended up buying the HH. Starting this weekend.... read on a review that it took 8 hours... true?

Basta

^ depends on how fast you build, but I'd say 8 hours seems on the High side (i haven't done HH though) but im sure some people take that long.

Another set to look at is the Sopwith Camel #10226 it is a great build, and the way the controls work the flaps and tail is really cool.

The_Mack

fullycompletely said:

Ended up buying the HH. Starting this weekend.... read on a review that it took 8 hours... true?

I've built the HH and 6-8 hours is about right, all depends on how fast you build. It's about 2 hours per floor, 3 floors.. plus the roof, and all the extras. These are big sets, don't rush, they are more like projects. Make a space for yourself to build it, you don't usually finish these in one sitting. Allowing yourself a buildspace I think is important. I put down a large fluffy towel on the table. I separate my parts by color, and put them in either bowls or piles on the towel. The towel helps keep them from rolling away, and if you need to move your spot, you can roll your towel with the pieces and move everything. Almost like a puzzle mat.. when you complete a book, take a break or start the next part the next day. Not saying you can't or shouldn't build it in one day, but it will feel like a marathon and you might find it to be a tedious task towards the end. I personally find enjoyment in taking my time building these big sets.

natro220

Not saying you can't or shouldn't build it in one day, but it will feel like a marathon and you might find it to be a tedious task towards the end. I personally find enjoyment in taking my time building these big sets.


I like doing a "marathon" build for the big sets...last weekend I spent all Saturday building the Pet Shop, and it was a WONDERFUL experience, I can't say enough about that set. Definitely a fun build...the two distinct buildings help to make it seem like two sets in one.

Picopirate

PS is definitely one of the best build experiences there is. It is also a great display set.

MorkMan

fullycompletely said:

Ended up buying the HH. Starting this weekend.... read on a review that it took 8 hours... true?

My son and I took several nights to build it. It was a good one to do with a 4 year old. I sorted, he clicked. It worked - mostly.

piratemania7

Yeah the time it takes to build depends on what your desires are. I have spent an entire day(s) before building one set or another. I remember I did that with the FB; of course, if you are able to control yourself and want to spread it out more then like people have said do it a book or floor at a time and just soak it all in!

Dread_Pirate

If you are into the Medieval themes there are alot of good sets that work well for adult and or kids. I just finished building the MIll Village Raid and the Medieval Market Village. I have about 10 hours into both sets and the builds are fun and there is alot of display and play potential for each. The only thing I dont like about building is that you eventually finish and there is nothing left to build. My thing with Lego is I love to build and make displays of my sets.

As for adult sets this is going to mainly depend on what you like. Technic is great but lacks the life the minifigs bring to the sets but adds the realism of function. City sets are great as they usually model real life and the minifigs bring life to the sets.

fullycompletely

So I just finished the HH and the Hobbit Gathering. Both excellent. Thinking of the Fire Brigade or Pet Shop next... I know the FB is going out sooner, but I really don't care. Just want the better set. What do you guys think?

TheLoneTensor

Do you like pets? Brownstone buildings? 2-in-1 sets? Pet Shop.

Do you like Fire Engines, impressive 1930's brick structures, secret little bats in a belfry? Fire Brigade.

You really can't go wrong with either.

dejavu

If you think you'll want both eventually, get FB as it will disappear sooner. Both are great builds. If you do get FB, also consider buying #850618 City Fire Accessory kit, as it gives you extra minifigs to enhance your build, and extra 'flame' pieces so you can set the HH on fire...

fullycompletely

I ended up getting the FB. I've got two little boys, so they'll love it. Great idea on the accessory kit dejavu. Running out of room so can't get both... Still a bit divided to be honest. Something about the PS that I really dig... reminds me of the GG... which I refuse to spend $600 on. The guy at my lego store - Northbrook Court in a Chicago suburb talked me into the FB. It's a beautiful set no doubt, but something about the architecture of the PS speaks to me... Can anyone affirm my choice? :)

mathew

^ You know it just depends on what appeals to you. I don't get the fascination with fire stations and police stations either. Kids seem to love them but my two boys don't really care (they love ninjago and skylanders). I agree that the pet shop is the best looking out of all the current modulars. I own the Grand Emporium, but if I were to buy another right now it would probably be the pet shop. I also like the Palace Cinema, but it will be around for awhile. Green Grocer is beautiful. That's the one I really would of liked to have owned.

Jenni

I didn't build FB, my husband did so I turned the other copy into a library, but it's supposed to be a very interesting build, and really detailed. They're both great sets and your kids are going to love the FB. My 9-year-old daughter has been playing non stop with the PS since I finished it but it's right up her alley with all the pets. Currently the story involves PS, KJ, HE and the lightning dragon, I don't even ask any more :).

Oh, and when you're sick of it as a fire station I highly recommend looking up Rocao's library in the Custom Modular thread and recreating that, he posted a bunch of pictures to help.