Newbie here, want advice on buying my first Technic set

Azsiros · January 2015

Ok, I got the bug. For the last year or so I've been putting together some Lego for my grandson, now I want one for myself! I don't know much at all about Lego, but I know what I like and I'm looking for a large Technic set. Most I've been looking at are out of production and very expensive. First on my wish list is a Formula 1 racer, I see sets 8674(Ferrari), 8461(Williams), 8458(Silver) and 42000(Grand Prix racer). Are these all the same or is there one from this list that is better than the rest? (I see the #8461 Williams is very expensive!).
Second on my list is to get the best Technic set I can for a reasonable price(ie. no more than $300 U.S.).
Any thoughts on kits #8110 Unimog, #42009 Crane, #10220 VW, #8274 Combine or #42039 24Hr Racer.
The only place I know of to buy out of production sets is eBay, and they are not cheap!
Any other thoughts on shopping for Lego in southern Ontario, Canada?

ColoradoBricks · January 2015

@Azsiros, I personally like #8458 the best (I do have #8461, #8386 and #42000).
#10200 is not Technic but still a great build.
#42039 is not out yet (on this side of the Atlantic), so go for #42030 Volvo L350F Wheel Loader or #42009.

I used to live in Ontario, best place to buy LEGO is South of the border ;-)

Try BrickLink.com for out of production sets.

chuckp · January 2015

@Azsiros The #42000 Grand Prix Racer just went out of stock in NA right before Christmas, so there is always the chance there is one floating around on a TRU shelf somewhere. Might be worth looking at your local TRUs.

That said, I agree with ColoradoBricks, if you can't get #42039 24Hr Racer yet, check out the #42030 Volvo L350F Wheel Loader, it's pretty impressive. The Unimog has size going for it, but personally I preferred building the #9398 Technic Crawler (which is also went out of stock right before Christmas). Fun build and it can drive over minifig-scale sets. Kids love that.

Totally off topic, but since you are from Ontario, are you a Leafs fan?

Brickarmor · January 2015

#42009 is all kinds of fun. Built it, unbuilt it so my son could rebuild it, unbuilt it again to wash the dust off, and rebuilt again. Very cool set with great steering and functions.

Huw · January 2015

> Are these all the same or is there one from this list that is better than the rest?

They are all similar but later sets use more recently introduced pieces so generally will be more sophisticated. Thus, I'd go for 42000 from the F1 racers.

aldredd · January 2015

If it's your 'first' major technics build, I would advise you get something you can pick up at retail. As some have said, you may be able to find #9398 or #42000 floating about 0 if you do, I would snap them up as they'll soon be hard to find and expensive to pick up.

#42009 is a magnificent set - if you don't get the technics bug building this, chances are nothing else currently in production will either.

Have fun - let us know what you go for!

LeonC · January 2015

If you want an F1 car I'd definitely recommend #42000 if you can find one. You may even be able to pick one up used from Ebay in decent condition. Its a great build, the suspension setup is very nice, although personally I think it suffers from the same problem as most recent technic cars (technic functions only drive 'novelty' features such as opening engine cover - I much prefered the older style with working gearboxes etc, but I guess this would be difficult for an F1 car!) As someone who is peripherally involved in F1 I think it's a pretty good stab at the subject matter.

#42009 is an awesome build but be prepared for several days of building - its a mammoth effort but really does showcase what's possible with modern technic.

Or just go here and play with the sorting / filters to find something you like the look of that's within your price range:

http://brickset.com/sets/theme-Technic

And be prepared to spend a lot of money over the next few years :smile:

BooTheMightyHamster · January 2015

Agreed! Don't make life difficult for yourself - go for something that's currently available. I've just picked up most of the 1H 2015 sets (just the Race Truck and Arctic Truck to go). Any of these are likely to be great builds. Indeed, you can see the review @Huw did of the 24 Hour Racer here. That could be a good place to start.

Azsiros · January 2015

Thanks for the info guys, it's down to 8458 or 42000 for the f1 car (will have to start checking prices now) and I'm finding it really hard to resist 42009.
( and yes, I'm a Leafs fan...almost ashamed to admit it now).

byhova · January 2015

@Azsiros I just built the #42000 this past week then took 3 - 2hr sessions taking my time watching tv while building it. It definitely was a fun build. Then on Sunday I added a steering servo motor & a L PF motor for driving (had to remove the engine) & a PF receiver. My son thinks it's the coolest thing that now he can drive the car he was pushing! (under adult supervision of coarse, I know they are suppose to be toys but its hard to see them that way as I get older).
I have #42009 just haven't built it yet

chuckp · January 2015

@Azsiros Those are some pretty solid choices, can't go wrong with any of those. Also glad to see another hockey fan here. I live over the boarder from you and being a Leafs fan would be a huge improvement for me this year. :wink:

Gwarslave · January 2015

I would suggest the mobile crane MK II 42009 after building this model I have not been challenged or fulfilled in any lego build since.

xeeeej · March 2015

Thread bump - anyone have any idea when the #42039 set will be released in the USA?
Thanks!

ColoradoBricks · March 2015

If history is any indication, it should be July for the USA [email protected], may be last June in TRU or some LEGO store.

nexander · May 2015

Apologies for the slight thread hijack. Have listened to my inner (neglected) engineer and get a technic set for my next build. I was thinking of #42009 after reading the comments here but amazon only have it listed via 3rd party. I know #42030 wheel loader is a great deal atm but not too interested in the remote control side as the boys will want to play with it all the time. Now to the point. Do I wait and see if amazon get the crane back in stock (poss at rrp), get the wheel loader or something else? I have £75 of amazon vouchers so that's why I'm keen to get it from there. Good value is more important than actual cost and I'm after a good build with some presentation value. Wheel loader is looking most likely but open to any other suggestions.

BooTheMightyHamster · May 2015

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-Technic-42039-Hours-Race/dp/B00NVDJQ3A/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1431936222&sr=8-12&keywords=lego+technic

This is at £74.99 on Amazon at the moment. Looks great, interesting build. Could be up your street?

nexander · May 2015

Definitely a consideration, although I prefer the secondary build!

mountebank · May 2015

@nexander : if you use the £10 off code*, here's a #42009 for £102:

http://www.tesco.com/direct/lego-technic-mobile-crane-mk-ii-42009/485-0302.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=485-0302

There's a fair chance the box will get bashed but if you're buying to build it's well worth considering.

* Save £10 when you spend £75 or more with code TDX-HGMR

dimefield · May 2015

Hobby stores are another good place to check for recently retired sets. Was surprised how much Lego some if the local shops here carried. Always thought they only sold RC models.
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Newbie here, want advice on buying my first Technic set

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