A newbie crashing the party - looking for a recommendation...

[seibab]

Hi all - I feel like I'm way out of my element here - overwhelmed with all the choices and fantastic reviews. I'm hoping someone can help...My son is 9.5 and I'm looking for a great Star Wars set for Xmas. I'm fine with buying used or new...Most important criteria is fun - to build and to play with. Would you mind sharing your top 3-5 favorite Star Wars sets? And sadly, the Death Star is out. I'm looking for sets $200 and under. Thanks!!

[commanderneyo]

My favourite job helping others in need.

Here are Five suggestions with links to the sets.

1. http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/8088_ARC-170_Starfighter

2. http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/8095_General_Grievous%27_Starfighter

3. http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/8097_Slave_I

4. http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/8016_Hyena_Droid_Bomber

5. http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/7748_Corporate_Alliance_Tank_Droid

Hope these helped

[Gryphon Ink]

I really like the latest "Luke's Landspeeder" as a Lego intro for SW-loving kids. It's small and inexpensive ($25 last time I checked), not a very involved build, but creates one of the most iconic vehicles and scenes in the whole franchise, and has an AWESOME set of minifigs.

The Midi Millennium Falcon is a beauty, but the Midi scale limits its playability since it doesn't match any other Lego vehicle anywhere.

Upcoming "Battle of Naboo" looks like a nice one for play.

I also like the Hoth Wampa set, which is doubly good because there are a ton of smaller sets out now to boost up recreations of the Battle of Hoth.

ETA: Okay, I'm thinking of $30 sets, while everyone else is suggesting the $75-and-up sets, which are inarguably cooler. I clearly need to be making more money.

Edited November 22, 2010 by Gryphon Ink

[brickbuilder]

For the price range you are looking at, I'd take a look at this iconic Original Trilogy set:

10198 Tantive IV

If you son is more into Clone Wars, then try these two:

Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser

Clone Turbo Tank

The latter two are slightly more difficult to build, but should be okay.

[Flare]

I also love to share what my favorite sets are, here are my 5 favorites for the range that you mentioned:

1. 8038 Battle of Endor

EXTREMELY fun set, lots of cute little features - definitely worth $100.

2. 10178-1: Motorized Walking AT-AT

I don't personally own this set, but it has a lot of good reviews and is quite a classic...

3. 7754-1: Home One Mon Calimari Star Cruiser

Its a cute little play set, definitely another good choice.

4. 8098 Clone Turbo Tank

If your son is a Clone Wars fan, this is a great set -- the turbo tank has flexible suspension (yay) and two rare figures.

5. 8081 ARC-170 Starfighter

This one really is a fun build. And it comes with the epic pilot figures, and Kit Fisto which is a plus.

There you go, good luck choosing

[Brickdoctor]

Whether your son is into CW or Classic Star Wars, there's only one set fit to start him on:

The good ol' T-65 X-wing. It's got every one of the classic heroes, except for C-3PO, and it's only $50. Give him that, toss a C-3PO watch or keychain in his stocking, pick out a smaller set like the TIE Advanced to go with it, and he'll have all the original heroes, the original villian, and two of the most iconic ships. Can't beat that.

[Anio]

The first question you must answer is : How much do you plan to spend ?

Because you do not buy the same things with €80 or €350.

Edited November 21, 2010 by Anio

[Legoman]

Lot's of Good suggestions in this thread. My suggestion would be:

8038 Battle of Endor

And Either of:

6212 X-wing

8081 Arc 170 Fighter

(deside by checking if he's more into Original movies or Clone Wars)

I think that totals around $150 (in the US) , and is a Start into the world of Star Wars lego

[Primusman]

I have agree with what has been said so far. Battlepacks are also good, as you can buy multiples and make armies.

I have to say, even if you did have money for the Death Star, I would go against it, as it's a huge undertaking and takes a week to build. Not something for your impatient 9 year old who just wants to get the thing built already. That set would be ideal for around 11 or 12 as a starting point.

[Ceroknight]

ARC Starfighter-really fantastic and a re-do of an old set

Grevious Starfighter-another great re-do of an old set

Turbo Tank-Another amazing re-do but also gives you fantastic figures

Upcoming T-6 Shuttle will get him a nice variety of jedi

Slave I for its great figures and cause its a pretty iconic ship

Good luck picking one

[Fallenangel]

All in favor of doing what KielDaMan did and making a pinned 'deciding what to buy' thread, say aye!

You can't go wrong with the 7256 Jedi Starfighter and Vulture droid. You get two fun little ships to swoosh for like $20 - and what's more, one of those ships contains a major character. The design of the LEGO Eta-2 isn't 100% accurate but it's really grown on me over the years, I just love all the play features and sticker detail they've put into it.

[Brickdoctor]

All in favor of doing what KielDaMan did and making a pinned 'deciding what to buy' thread, say aye!

You can't go wrong with the 7256 Jedi Starfighter and Vulture droid. You get two fun little ships to swoosh for like $20 - and what's more, one of those ships contains a major character. The design of the LEGO Eta-2 isn't 100% accurate but it's really grown on me over the years, I just love all the play features and sticker detail they've put into it.

Aye!

You know there is one in the General forum already, but I guess some SW fans never venture beyond their own beloved home forum...

[CommanderFox]

Lot's of Good suggestions in this thread. My suggestion would be:

8038 Battle of Endor

And Either of:

6212 X-wing

8081 Arc 170 Fighter

(deside by checking if he's more into Original movies or Clone Wars)

I think that totals around $150 (in the US) , and is a Start into the world of Star Wars lego

It's 8088 legoman.

I think these would be cool sets for an intro, and I agree with Legoman, check to see if he is into CW or the movies. If you want to watch-show him the CW seasons, check these links out to watch them online.

Season 1.

Season 2.

Season 3.

You know there is one in the General forum already, but I guess some SW fans never venture beyond their own beloved home forum...

Yup!

CF

[prateek]

I'd go with The Battle of Endor, or Brickdoctor's suggestion of the X-Wing and Darth Vader's TIE Fighter

[Legoman]

It's 8088 legoman.

CF

Whoops

I guess thats what happend what you don't follow a sub-theme (I had no idea what the number was, I just saw Flare had said 8081 so I presumed it was right )

Nevermind though. There's lots of suggestions around, along with some great advise. Good luck with finding a present

[CommanderFox]

Whoops

I guess thats what happend what you don't follow a sub-theme (I had no idea what the number was, I just saw Flare had said 8081 so I presumed it was right )

Nevermind though. There's lots of suggestions around, along with some great advise. Good luck with finding a present

Haha, you know i've been looking around for this set, thats why i've rehearsed the set number.

On second thoughts seibab, if he does like the original trilogy movies (OT), then I would have to agree with Brickdocter and Prateek. The X-Wing and Vader's TIE Fighter would be a cool start and he could recreate a lot of the iconic scenes in 4,5,6.

CF