Your opinion please

nukupure

Hi guys, I'm 45, my first set was #483, wow, Lego has come a long way !
After helping my kids with some sets (latest was #7965) I thought I want one for my birthday. I like the buildings, but not much the modular (loved my daughter #31026, but I want something bigger). I would prefer something you can open, like the #10229 Haunted House, but now it's too expensive.
So narrowed down to either the Mini Cooper #10242, the VW #10220, or a Technic race car #42039. Pros with the first two, it's easier to make something else out of them, comparing to the techinc sets, pros with the latest, it's more fun to assemble gears and stuff.
Have you guys had experience with those, or anything else you would recommend (under €150, or my marriage ends...)
Thanks a lot, appreciate
Stefano

cheshirecat

Go for the VW - its a good build, it looks great, spouses seem to appreciate it more than most lego sets (which can make life and future purchases much easier), its a genuine display piece but with great internals and even playability, and presumably it will disappear before the other two. Ultimately I'd say its one of the best LEGO sets available at RRP at the moment.

For my money its a better representation of a camper van than the mini is of a mini too, but that's just personal choice. There's also more than enough to the build to overcome the lack of gears and Technic parts. 

Don't put it off, just go buy it (or perhaps wait for double VIP)

nukupure

Good thoughts, cheers

Goldchains

I definitely agree with the VW Camper Van. It's the only set my wife has actually built with me, and she calls it "hers". It definitely does look fantastic built and displayed, and is a great conversation piece. And for $120 its worth it.

Bluey2000

Honestly, I think it depends where your interests lie, I personally after owning all 3 would say the Technic set, it's a truly amazing set and I felt like the build out ways the other two in every aspect, I've always liked the look of the two other models but I really love the design of The Race Car and how it looks when finished :)

st3ph3n

I have the VW and the Mini and I'd say the VW was the more enjoyable build out of the two of them. It was also the one that got me back into Lego as an adult so I probably have a fondness for it from that. As mentioned above it'll not be available much longer so well worth grabbing whilst you can.

FollowsClosely

I strongly recommend you go with a Modular Building if you have the funds.

nukupure

Thanks guys for the opinions so far, looks like the mini cooper is not that worthy after all...
@followsclosely , I really like the modular buildings, but what is keeping me from getting one is that you have to lift the stories to display the interior; I would definitely prefer a building you can open like a house doll, like I mentioned the haunted house. At the moment the only one available seems to be the simpson's, and I'm not much into that. Thanks for sharing

msanders

The Simpsons house is one of (may be) my favourite Lego sets. It's such a fun build and the interior is brilliant! My son (3 yrs old) loves playing with this. The camper van is good but its very fragile so only really works as a display piece. It depends what you want it for (display vs play).

cheshirecat

^ Really? my kids used to push the vw around without any problems, didn't seem fragile at all. 

I don't much like the modulars - they're pretty enough but you see them everywhere which just gets a bit repetitive, and like you say they're just a box. The haunted house was excellent, shame you just missed out on it.

nukupure

Mainly display, and after a few weeks destroy it and make something different. Then destroy it, and make the original again.........(do I need therapy)

waynegg

The Simpson House is exactly what you are describing- a house that opens like a doll house. If you get it, just use a little care in attaching the garage.

ecmo47

Save some money and buy a used one like this:

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=SelectLEGO&itemID=66757442

I assume that your in Europe and this might be right for you.

nukupure

Interesting site, thanks, @ecmo47 , I'll have a look.
Did you assume I'm from EU by the currency I mentioned or by my English........?

plasmodium

^Bricklink is the aftermarket Lego site. You can get anything on there, you just have to watch your wallet. Which is why I don't have an account... ;-)

[Edit] To clarify, when I said "anything", I meant "anything Lego"...but I wouldn't put it past them...

ecmo47

It is the "eBay" of the Lego world. If you can’t find the set, piece, instructions, or box on there, it isn’t (currently) to be had. Yes, the mention of Euro is what made me suspect that you were not in the USA. I am all the time looking for used sets to build. I can be a great way to have the enjoyment and not have to have to pay the premium price. In the case of the link I posted, that particular set looks to be new and complete (so you’re not worried about missing pieces) it's just that the box has been badly roughed up. But who cares if you’re just going to open and build it!

FollowsClosely

nukupure said:

Thanks guys for the opinions so far, looks like the mini cooper is not that worthy after all...
@followsclosely , I really like the modular buildings, but what is keeping me from getting one is that you have to lift the stories to display the interior; I would definitely prefer a building you can open like a house doll, like I mentioned the haunted house. At the moment the only one available seems to be the simpson's, and I'm not much into that. Thanks for sharing

Then modify them by adding hinges :)

nukupure

That's an option ! ;)
Do you own any of those, which one would you recommend ? (if still on the market at not-stellar price)

binaryeye

The problem with modding a modular to add hinges is where to put them. Putting them on either side prevents the building being connected to another. A better option might be to simply make two halves that connect with pins. Either way, creating halves that cleanly separate would require quite a few extra pieces; probably not something you'd want to get into if you're on a budget.

drdavewatford

nukupure said:

Mainly display, and after a few weeks destroy it and make something different. Then destroy it, and make the original again.........(do I need therapy)

No need to worry - the building and rebuilding IS the therapy!