Best flagship sets 2000-2008

[davidmull]

I'm just interested on what's the best flagships between these years,I have the most recent(8258,8043,8110) but I'm interested in buying more flagships from the last few years,I'm still deciding between 8421 and 8275 but I'm open to suggestions on others too,

Thanks in advance :)

[bb15080]

I have all flagships since 2004

beside the 8110 I like the 8421 it's more complicated to build but

on the other hand de 8275 is a eyecatcher because of his sizes

but which one to get? Get both of them

[JunkstyleGio]

Maybe you should look into this one too:

8466 from 2001

This is still one of my all time favorites!

[shaneg]

I'm just interested on what's the best flagships between these years,I have the most recent(8258,8043,8110) but I'm interested in buying more flagships from the last few years,I'm still deciding between 8421 and 8275 but I'm open to suggestions on others too,

Thanks in advance :)

I have 8421 and it's an excellent set - probably not as complex to build as 8258 or 8043 but very satisfying all the same. Might be difficult to find one at a reasonable price. Head to bricklink and see.

Also 8285 from 2006 (was it a flagship?) is well worth adding to your collection - Turns up on Ebay quite a bit at around the €120 mark but again check bricklink.

Edited September 9, 2011 by shaneg

[Sokratesz]

8421 for it's massive size :)

[Erik Leppen]

2000: 8458. Do not own. Looks great and has nice functionality (no gearbox).

2001: 8466. Impressive and has all the functions you expect including 5+1 gearbox and damped wing doors. The tyres are praised but I can't do a lot with them because they're way too heavy.

2002: 8431. Re-issue of 8460, which is a favorite set of mine.

2003: 8455. Do not own. King of all pneumatics sets, lots of functions in moderate size.

2004: 8436. Kind of meh.

2005: 8421. One of the best sets in a long time; very complex, many functions, cool steering. Also good source of parts.

2006: 8285. Great for size and if you have an older version, the chrome parts (newer versions seem to not have chrome!). Magnificent source for parts! Biggest negative: a lot of empty space, some functionality seems a bit simple.

2007: 8275. Remote control is magnificent, also great source of parts including PF. Only negative: technical complexity is less than with other flagships

2008: 8297. Do not own, can't really say. Has a motor, but not for propulsion.

If I had to choose, I think I'd say 8421.

[PerryMakes]

[cut]

Very nice breakdown Erik. Thank you.

Going a bit o/t, but I just want to comment on two sets that come after this list. I think 2009s 8258 made up for what 8436 lacked, and with the 2011 flagship prior to the Unimog - that made it two motorized vehicles in a short time frame that lacked a proper gearbox/powertrain. I sure hope we've seen that last of that for a while!

Edited September 10, 2011 by PerryMakes

[davidmull]

I think I'll go with 8466 and 8275 :) them wheels on 8466 are class!

[Cwetqo]

8466 for me.

It was the last true "supercar" with all proper functions (suspension, 5+1 gearbox, 4WD, working cockpit steering wheel)

[basbase]

These are the sets I own + my opinion:

8466 - Got it for the tires and suspension parts, have only build the chassis (which is nice).

8455 - I love it's playability and complex pneumatics.

8421 - I own 3, but have not build any of them myself It is huge and plays well.

8275 - Got it for the tracks and Power Function parts. Haven't played with it much.

8297 - Got it for the parts, the raising of the suspension is a nice feature.

In my opinion 8455 is the best, followed by the 8421.

[CP5670]

I would say the single best set from that era is 8455. That was arguably the first time TLG went all out and put in everything they could think of in a Technic set, apparently without regard to cost constraints. It felt like an AFOL-designed model. 8466 and 8421 are also very good. Unfortunately, the sets from this period are surprisingly expensive today and seem to cost more than 80s and 90s sets.

[Traktor]

I have 8285, 8258, 8455, 8421 and built, but returned 8275. In my opinion 8421 is the best of these, closely followd by 8285. Even though I like the powerfunctions and playability in both 8043 and 8275, I just love the massively feeling of the tow truck and the mobile crane. Ironicly, the tow truck is not really that massive. For me it was a major change of style when the bulldozer came, to much focus about PF. The backhoe is also great, but a litle bit overloaded and unbalanced, to much weight in the back. To bad they could not make it a proper flagship set with 1000+ parts. They probably spent to much on the pnumatics. So basically I would recommend 8275, 8043 etc, for a child, but the older sets for an adult collector.

[Burf2000]

I own quite a few technic sets and the ones lately I have been impressed with are the tow truck (8285), Bulldozer 8275 and the Williams F1 car which was a lot bigger than expected (older).

The reason I have not put down 8421 was the mechanism just never woke on mine

I think my all time fav is the Test car as that was my first big set as a kid.