Home› Everything else LEGO
Shopping at LEGO or Amazon?
Please use our links: LEGO.com • Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

40 Year Old Birthday - Suggestions for Must-Have LEGO sets

MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 919
in Everything else LEGO
So I'm turning old 40 in a few weeks and I am wondering if I have accidentally passed up some MUST HAVE sets/minifigures in the last 40 years. Now that I have gotten to the point where I am comfortable enough to buy anything most sets out there, I wonder if I have missed anything.

Is there SOMETHING that every collector/AFOL/hobbyist needs to have in their collection that says "yes, I'm really into this hobby?"

I know the first thing out of people's fingertips will be #10179, but I want to enjoy my hobby, not see it in the closet all boxed up by displaying it/playing with it. Can you give suggestions of what I should get?

Comments

  • SirKevbagsSirKevbags Member Posts: 4,027
    If you don't already have it then #10188 DS Given your age you grew up with SW. Build that beast and you are transported back into childhood.
    Bumblepants
  • jjb5000jjb5000 Member Posts: 103
    ^ I whole heartedly agree with that, it truly is one of the best sets and looks fabulous on display and is great to play with, the amount of iconic scenes you can create is awesome.

    I would recommend the bttf delorean too, great set at a good price in my opinion
  • hoyatableshoyatables Member Posts: 873
    I'm just a few years younger than you. My thoughts:

    Star Wars: Agree re: DS 10188 and the UCS Falcon 10179. Both were amazing buildings. Nothing else in Star Wars comes close.

    Modulars: All of them are fantastic, but in particular the Fire Brigade and Pet Shop were my faves.

    Imperial Flagship. This was epic - particularly if you enjoyed the Pirates sets in your youth (you may have been a little too old for that).

    Not quite a "must have" but i also want to endorse the 10184 Town Plan. I really really enjoyed this build. Multiple buildings so that made it fun. Pair it with the BTTF Delorean to recreate Hill Valley 1955 :). Sure the modulars now have a larger town hall AND movie theater, but the collection of buildings here are quite nice.


    YellowcastleLostInTranslation
  • emilewskiemilewski Member Posts: 482
    I am 41 and came out of my dark ages three years ago. My wife got me a used Taj Mahal for my 40th. It is one of the "great Lego sets" and looks good on display and is a good showcase piece. It is not my favorite set though. I think this is highly subjective really. What do YOU really want?

    I don't think there is the signature AFOL must have set. I have a DS in the closet unbuilt but have no interest in it. I have my Green Grocer that I love but others will point to others they love. I could list my favorites but each will have their own.

    My advice is use the advanced query manager and make a query of sets over $99 sorted in descending price order and see what there is and what you "must have". I think all the great sets (and others) will be listed.
    bluemodern
  • LegoMom1LegoMom1 Member Posts: 651
    So is this a mid-life crisis Lego style? Instead of buying a shiny new sports car, you are going to buy any and all Lego sets you long for? Sounds like a plan to me. You go @MorkMan! Oh, and P.S., Happy Birthday! :)
    MorkMan
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    I also turn 40 in a few weeks. Don't think I'll be getting any LEGO from my wife though...she think I have plenty already. ;-)

    But as for your question - it is really something only you can answer.
  • bricktuarybricktuary Member Posts: 987
    edited January 2014
    For me? I'd probably get a load of trains. How about a doubled up Horizon Express with power functions, and a LOAD of track.

    And maybe a cargo train....

    DS is a good shout of course. Maybe a motorized AT-AT?
  • margotmargot Member Posts: 2,308
    I built #10188 and love Star Wars but it's not my fave.
    ^Oooh, motorized AT-AT. I have to get on building one of those. I think I have one in the Lego pile somewhere.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    No. I do not buy that there is one set that everyone needs in his/her collection.

    To me what speaks of really being in this as a hobby is
    A) Sets that reflect your interest and personality
    And/or
    B) MOCs that go along with A


    For me, the must have sets are the Winter Village line, HH, and really any sets that reflect seasonal decor. If my kids did not have or want HP, that entire least release would have been important to me.

    Of those, HH was the most expensive set I have bought for myself, although technically it is a family set.

    The question I would turn back to you... Is there a set that reflect you/your interests, the culminating set that reflects that, which you do not have?
  • LegogeekLegogeek Member Posts: 714
    I think others have said it, get what YOU like & want.

    If you are in a position to afford most sets out there, then I say buy every dang set your heart desires!

  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,837
    edited January 2014
    MorkMan said:

    So I'm turning old 40 in a few weeks and I am wondering if I have accidentally passed up some MUST HAVE sets/minifigures in the last 40 years. Now that I have gotten to the point where I am comfortable enough to buy anything most sets out there, I wonder if I have missed anything.

    Is there SOMETHING that every collector/AFOL/hobbyist needs to have in their collection that says "yes, I'm really into this hobby?"

    I know the first thing out of people's fingertips will be #10179, but I want to enjoy my hobby, not see it in the closet all boxed up by displaying it/playing with it. Can you give suggestions of what I should get?

    Guess it also depends on what genre of LEGO that you like.
    If you like Sw then yeah the DS, or maybe just the 'standard' Falcon that is out now.
    If you like City, then FB (before they go up anymore anyway) or Parisian restaurant as many are saying that is the best Modular out there, at least right now.

    If you like 'monsters' there always is the haunted house

    If you like Technic and can find a 41999 at a decent price that may be a good one.

    Or if you want City and not a mod then the Town Square is a neat set.

    If you always wanted a train the Yellow Cargo and red Passenger train are still around..
    The greatest thing about LEGO right now is the variety of options for different interests.
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,730
    I agree with the suggestion to just trawl through the database in the $99+ region and just see what grabs your fancy. Or Galidor. There is always Galidor.
    Yellowcastle
  • doriansdaddoriansdad Member Posts: 1,337
    edited January 2014
    10196 Grand Carousel.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p94v9OgDLT0
    MorkMancanon03pharmjod
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 919
    edited January 2014
    Think you all. Love the answers so far... The build on #10179 and #10188 sound great, but I fear with my personality, they wouldn't get built and I'd hold onto them for "future selling" like the b-wings in the closet. @doriansdad... I really like your suggestion...
    Looks like I'm going to spend the weekend searching with your >$99 suggestion @emilewski. You've all given me some good thinking to do... The main theme on my office LEGO shelf is polybags and small Creator sets. Somewhere in there I'll find a theme and decide on something...
  • margotmargot Member Posts: 2,308
    edited January 2014
    MorkMan said:

    The main theme on my office LEGO shelf is polybags and small Creator sets. Somewhere in there I'll find a theme and decide on something...

    How about a nice Imperial Hotel for your office. #21017 Or any of the architecture sets.

  • ecmo47ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101
    #8043! Fun to build and a riot to play with! Get one before they get unreasonable!
  • AFFOL_Shellz_BellzAFFOL_Shellz_Bellz Member Posts: 1,263
    #3450 It's just an iconic piece that was a challenge to build because of the single color. If you invest in the base (pm me and I'll tell you which ebay seller we bought from) the total piece stands 53+ inches tall.
    MorkMan
  • emilewskiemilewski Member Posts: 482
    Oh, and #79003 Unexpected Gathering I consider one of the "great sets" but as it is under $99 would not show up in the DB query. Don't forget about that one if you like Hobbit/LOTR.
    bluemodernMasterBeefy
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    I pondered the same question when I turned 40, and also didn't want something UCS/enormous size. The set which impressed me the most, which I missed during my dark ages, and really longed for was the #10020 Santa Fe Super Chief. I found a new-in-box set (bags sealed, but box opened) on Bricklink for a reasonable price, and that's what my wife bought me for my birthday.
    YellowcastlemadforLEGO
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    Other "must have" ideas for the serious collector are #3723, #3724, #3450 (as @AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz pointed out), and #10181.

    If you're looking for a current set then I'd recommend #10220 VW Camper Van as a wonderful display piece which isn't too large.
    margotSirKevbags
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 919
    sidersdd said:

    Other "must have" ideas for the serious collector are #3723, #3724, #3450 (as @AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz pointed out), and #10181.

    You hit me right on the head, @sidersdd, since I'm Bricklinking #3723 (halfway there), and #3724 (20% there) right now. last night I did pick up the MiniFigure Birthday Set #850791 to put on display. That's a start!
    sidersdd
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 919
    emilewski said:

    Oh, and #79003 Unexpected Gathering I consider one of the "great sets" but as it is under $99 would not show up in the DB query. Don't forget about that one if you like Hobbit/LOTR.

    That ones always caught my eye, but never picked it up since I never got into the movies. It would be awesome for playing with my boys...
  • rocaorocao Administrator Posts: 4,290
    edited January 2014
    Since you mention the last 40 years and the conflicting urge to leave a new set sealed, I'd recommend trying to get a used copy of any of these gems from yesteryear. IMO they are much more special than 10188:

    #5571 Model Team Black Cat
    #6086 Black Knights Castle
    #6399 Airport Shuttle
    #8048 Technic Space Shuttle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSCN8xn_CaY
    sidersddpharmjod
  • YellowcastleYellowcastle Administrator, Moderator Posts: 5,234
    ^ Defintely the airport shuttle!
  • SirKevbagsSirKevbags Member Posts: 4,027
    Just an idea. Was there a set you longed for as a child? Month after month you looked at in toy shops and print but for whatever reason you couldn't have it? Picking that set up now would complete a pretty long held dream.

    I loaned out a #6990 to a fellow AFOL this Christmas and after waiting 25 or so years he wasn't disappointed.
    StuBoycarlqLegobutterflykhmellymelcheshirecat
  • margotmargot Member Posts: 2,308
    edited January 2014
    rocao said:


    #5571 Model Team Black Cat
    #6086 Black Knights Castle
    #6399 Airport Shuttle
    #8048 Technic Space Shuttle

    OK, that was totally unnecessary!!! Everytime someone posts about vintage sets my wallet starts to tremble. Airport Shuttle.. no I would never want a set like that. pfft

  • margotmargot Member Posts: 2,308
    @MorkMan, you only turn 40 once...
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Town-6399-Airport-Shuttle-Trains-Classic-Town-New-Sealed-/200987730153?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item2ecbcd60e9
  • bricktuarybricktuary Member Posts: 987
    You really need two to make a decent display ;)
  • MorkManMorkMan Member Posts: 919
    @margot. Too rich for my blood. Maybe used... I'm searching brickset by year now to see what I missed back in the early 80s...
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,837
    SirKevbags said:

    Just an idea. Was there a set you longed for as a child? Month after month you looked at in toy shops and print but for whatever reason you couldn't have it? Picking that set up now would complete a pretty long held dream.

    I loaned out a #6990 to a fellow AFOL this Christmas and after waiting 25 or so years he wasn't disappointed.

    I think there is a thread for this question someone isn't there? :)
    Mine was any of the larger 80's Town sets. #6383 Public works Center, #6393 Big rig truck stop, #6390 main street, #6391 Cargo Center 6990 really caught my eye as well, it was the first Monorail produced and during a time where futuristic was in and everything was futuristic 80's style, block-y and light colored. It just looked so different I think any LEGO fan wanted it as a kid (if you were a kid seeing it new on the shelf, then seeing the price tag...lol)
  • pharmjodpharmjod Member Posts: 2,916
    I agree with @Rocao #5571 is an amazing set, especially given its age. I managed to snag one many moons ago when TRU clearanced it out and it sat proudly built in my dorm room. Finally sold it a few years back, but it is a great set! It is still amazingly detailed even 17-18 years later! It really has to be seen and held to be appreciated. #8048 is one I still own and it is also a fun model.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Shopping at LEGO.com or Amazon?

Please use our links: LEGO.com • Amazon

Recent discussions • Categories • Privacy Policy • Brickset.com

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Sign In Register

Categories

Brickset.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, the Amazon.com.ca, Inc. Associates Program and the Amazon EU Associates Programme, which are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.