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

LEGO suggestions for a guy who has everything he wants

DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
edited May 2012 in Collecting
My birthday is coming up and I want to get myself a LEGO (of course) present. As my wife is completely off LEGO and would rather get anything but LEGO, and if my kids had a say they would get me some ninjago, I've got to do this myself...

The trouble is, I kind of have everything that I want: the modulars, Grand Carousel, Taj, IF, Castle Giant Chess Set, MMV, a lot of good technic models. I'm kind of stumped, but still have the craving... I love big, aesthetically pleasing sets with interesting building techniques. But I've no interest in SW, HP, PoC, Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower. Was thinking of Town Plan, but don't like that the buildings are open in the back.

MOCing is certainly an option. I'm working on a 48x48 modular school building. But that's not a quick fix, like buying a set would be.

Are the Creator houses interesting builds? How do they stand up compared to the modulars?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Comments

  • mr_bennmr_benn Member Posts: 943
    I know that you've said you're not that bothered about Star Wars, but can the iconic R2-D2 tempt you slightly - from the Eurobricks review it looks to be quite an interesting set! :)
  • muffenmanmuffenman Member Posts: 75
    I got to say SW too com on Super star Destroyer 3ft long! and a backside build like this:

  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    Have you tried cars from the Racer and Creator sets?

    Ferrari: Enzo (1/10), Enzo (1/17), Modena Spyder, F430, FXX, Formula 1, Pit Crews
    Lamborghini: Gallardo Spyder, Gallardo Polizio (Cool Cruiser 'Medium Build' also works as a stand-in for a yellow Lambo Formula 1 racer)
    Volkswagen: Beetle, Camper Van
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    The larger Ferrari and Lambo cars in the Racers line are, I think, one of the big overlooked sections of Lego.

    The blue Gallardo is really cool...
  • drdavewatforddrdavewatford Administrator Posts: 6,755
    edited May 2012
    On the Racers theme, I recently picked up Set 8674 Ferrari F1 Racer 1:8 - it's huge and rather nice ! Certainly a worthy aquisition if you're looking to treat yourself....
  • thorniethornie Member Posts: 245
    If you have MMV, Kingdom's Joust is a nice addition.
  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012
    Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'll take a close look at the cars, especially the VW Van and the Racers.

    I really like MMV. Even my wife likes it! My concern about Joust is that it might sacrifice small detail in order to achieve a grand scale: e.g. whole wall elements rather than brick-built walls, etc.

    And like everyone else, I'm going to gobble up the Sopwith Camel as soon as it comes out!

  • fyrmedhattfyrmedhatt Member Posts: 128

    I really like MMV. Even my wife likes it! My concern about Joust is that it might sacrifice small detail in order to achieve a grand scale: e.g. whole wall elements rather than brick-built walls, etc.


    The Kingdoms Joust isn't like the other Lego Castle designs, the walls are all brick-built, and the biggest elements present are the roof tiles. Take a look at the photos to see for yourself: brickset.com/detail/?Set=10223-1
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,156
    "For a guy who has everything he wants," here's a suggestion......don't buy because you have everything you want.
  • legoDadlegoDad Member Posts: 529
    I'd say look online for guys who have custom kits for sale...or even commission something unique from an expert or pro master builder.
  • Lego_Lord_MayorcaLego_Lord_Mayorca Member Posts: 619
    You could be like me and start mining your childhood for those "sets that got away". My career has allowed me to go back and get gems from the 90s that I only saw in Lego [email protected] catalogs and knew my parents could not afford. It's really magical to get these, especially when nothing currently available quite captivates your interest (or is not discounted enough yet).
  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130

    I really like MMV. Even my wife likes it! My concern about Joust is that it might sacrifice small detail in order to achieve a grand scale: e.g. whole wall elements rather than brick-built walls, etc.


    The Kingdoms Joust isn't like the other Lego Castle designs, the walls are all brick-built, and the biggest elements present are the roof tiles. Take a look at the photos to see for yourself: brickset.com/detail/?Set=10223-1
    Thanks for that! I had simply assumed that the walls were not brick built. Knowing that they are brick built changes things.



  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
    "For a guy who has everything he wants," here's a suggestion......don't buy because you have everything you want.
    Not a very helpful suggestion, I'm afraid. It's not like I am wallowing in my materialistic gluttony. I just want to get me a birthday present. Does that never happen to you?
  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
    @legoDad. Thanks for the suggestion. I've considered it, and have on occasion bid halfheartedly on custom kits on ebay. But given the price per brick on many of them (which I realize reflects time put in on essentially one-offs), I've always thought I would build my own MOC instead, where the time is spent on a hobby. Which is what I am currently doing.

    @Lego_Lord_Mayorca. That's a great suggestion. But strangely, I was never into LEGO growing up. I was much more interested in chemistry sets, telescopes and microscopes and that kind of thing. My wife introduced me to LEGO when she got some simple sets for our young sons. I think she rues the day, now!
  • Si_UKNZSi_UKNZ Member Posts: 4,179
    here are a few ideas
    - get the unimog (if not already), or get some classic technic sets like the old crane.
    - get into trains! the maersk and a motor plus some track
    - the houses are fun, very different to modulars. Apple tree house is great value too.
    - totally agree with the VW van suggestion above
    - Joust! If you have MMV ... also do u have MVR? kings castle too ..

  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    I'd go down the MOC route. You'll get more enjoyment out of it long term if there is nothing else you really want. I'd love to open a box of 1000 1x4 tan pieces.
  • Brewer51Brewer51 Member Posts: 248
    I second the R2-D2. I'm not an SW fan either, and don't own a single SW set, but he was to charming to pass up on.
  • AFFOL_Shellz_BellzAFFOL_Shellz_Bellz Member Posts: 1,263
    Have you built the Mercedes Unimog set 8110? It's a challenging build, though I did not check availability before suggesting it.
  • andyscouseandyscouse Member Posts: 365
    edited May 2012
    How about another MMV (or two)? Then you can build up the existing buildings, and have some left over for a small MOC fitting in with the theme. I just got myself a second MMV for just that reason - I love how MMV looks and feels, but want to make it bigger without sacrificing details. Maybe add the Joust too!
  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
    Thanks, @Si_Dorking_Surrey_UK, @CCC, @Brewer51, @AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz and @andyscouse! Those are great suggestions.

    The unimog is one of my favorite Technic models. A very fun and varied build. It seems to get less love than 8043 and 8258, which I don't quite understand.

    A second MMV is an interesting idea. I've got mine in a scene incorporating MVR. If I got another, I think I would take the bricklink route, to vary colors and builds a bit.

    @Si_Dorking_Surrey_UK. Great suggestions as they along the lines of my thinking (great minds...). I love Emerald Night, which has pride of place in my son's bedroom; with the tracks and motor it's a great choo choo. I am thinking of picking up Family Home. And VW camper looks sweet.

    I agree completely that MOCs are a great way to go. I'm working on a modular school building on a 48x48 baseplate. But it's a slow burn rather than the turbocharged pleasure of a stock build.

    If I were into LEGO SW (love the original movies, though), the R2-D2 would be a definite buy.

    I'm really looking forward to the new Sopwith Camel. Already have the Indiana Jones DC3. So am thinking of getting some of the older airplane sculptures...



  • SupersympaSupersympa Member Posts: 534
    besides what have been said (like the WW Van, fantastic build in my view) why not taking the whole family to Legoland? may be it is far from where you live, but plan it for the future? it is a nice birthday present?!
  • legoDadlegoDad Member Posts: 529
    ^Great suggestion. Fun for everyone.
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,156
    "For a guy who has everything he wants," here's a suggestion......don't buy because you have everything you want.
    Not a very helpful suggestion, I'm afraid. It's not like I am wallowing in my materialistic gluttony. I just want to get me a birthday present. Does that never happen to you?
    Sorry, just playing on the words. Seriously, I would go for R2-D2, such a great built and an iconic character that looks good displayed in any room. That includes the kitchen....just say it's your blender.

  • Si_UKNZSi_UKNZ Member Posts: 4,179
    ^^^
    Good point. My birthday present this year was a years pass for Legoland :o)
  • DaddyWhaleDaddyWhale Member Posts: 130
    besides what have been said (like the WW Van, fantastic build in my view) why not taking the whole family to Legoland? may be it is far from where you live, but plan it for the future? it is a nice birthday present?!
    That's a great idea. We were planning on going to the Legoland in Florida this winter, but we opted against it because we had heard that the park was still ironing out some wrinkles since its opening.

    We used to love going to the park in Windsor when we lived in London. Have very fond memories: our youngest, now 4, was just starting to walk, and he loved walking around there; and come to think of it we in fact went there in May '09 for a combined birthday outing (his and mine)! Wish the ones here in the US were closer.

    @1265. No hard feelings. I knew that I was being slightly provocative when naming the thread. It was not meant really as a boast that I had all the rare and dear LEGO sets. It alludes more to my having come out of my Dark Ages about a year and a half ago (with Grand Carousel) and that I had pretty much caught up on the backlog of sets that I really wanted. (And by some standards, I've not been a voracious acquirer, having fewer than 40k elements from sets...)

    Thank you everyone for some really great suggestions! I've ended up making a couple of modest acquisitions: Family Home, 6754, and a used Wright Flyer (10124). The latter is in anticipation of the new Sopwith Camel. The former is a nod to the fact that we'll be shortly moving from our apartment in Manhattan (a very modular town) to a house in the country (with a LEGO/man cave for the boys and me).



  • ChompersChompers Member Posts: 658
    edited May 2012
    I would agree with both @LegoFanTexas & @drdavewatford, the large Racers sets are very nice indeed the 8674 is fab I have also recently purchased this set albeit was close to building from my stock parts/bricklink, had it all done bar the tyres. Also the #8653 Enzo and #8145 599 look great. Well worth a look.
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.