$500 to spend on set for parts, what do I buy?

[Paul B Technic]

I have recently returned to the LEGO Technic hobby with the purchase of 9398 after a couple of months away from it. I have also been given two weeks off work at short notice so I can't wait for anything "online" to arrive. This is my chance to get right back in to it so I want some sets to use for parts to do some MOC'ing. Based on my budget and what is in the shops at the moment I have these choices.

Option 1.

9394 Jet Plane

9395 Pick-Up Tow Truck

9395 Pick-Up Tow Truck

42005 monster truck (Not in shops yet, should be in next few weeks, keep cash for this when it is released locally)

42008 service truck (Not in shops yet, should be in next few weeks, keep cash for this when it is released locally)

Option 2.

9394 Jet Plane

9395 Pick-Up Tow Truck

8110 Unimog

Option 3.

9394 Jet Plane

9395 Pick-Up Tow Truck

9395 Pick-Up Tow Truck

9392 Quad Bike

9393 Tractor

Edited August 28, 2013 by Paul B

[DrJB]

If you had the time and can find one, imho one of the best parts assortment is the crane truck (8258), a fantastic value for the money. A good assortment of everything Technic. 9394 (jet plane) has a good assortment of panels as well. I'm not fond of the Unimog for parts, unless you're into pneumatics. You get only one small motor, and many specialized parts with limited usability. In that price range I'd get 9398 for the 3 motors, or the Crane Mark II for the parts assortment. Oh, and welcome back to the hobby!

[750ACE]

I wouldn't jump to spend $500 just because you are off for a couple weeks. $500 can go far especially if you were to purchase two 42009 cranes (not on your list). The unimog has a boat load of good parts and is now on its way out of the retail market. 42005 is a big waste of money.

I am confused. Did you sell your 9398. Stop building for two months then repurchase the 9398? A 2 month dark age lol?

Edited August 28, 2013 by 750ACE

[Kronos]

Option 2. 9392 & 9393 aren't worth it right now. The Unimog is a must have. Pnuematics, 2000+ pieces, tires, panels, argh go buy it already!!!!!!

[Paul B Technic]

I am confused. Did you sell your 9398. Stop building for two months then repurchase the 9398? A 2 month dark age lol?

Yes I sold ALL my Technic about two months ago, I purchased 9398 on the weekend and am now getting right back in to it all :)

[dhc6twinotter]

Paul, is there any certain type of item you like to build? Trucks, cars, machinery, rock crawlers, etc? What you plan to build makes a difference in determining what sets I would recommend.

[Paul B Technic]

Paul, is there any certain type of item you like to build? Trucks, cars, machinery, rock crawlers, etc? What you plan to build makes a difference in determining what sets I would recommend.

Well I have liked a bit of everything in the past but I am planning on sticking to trucks and cars with MOC'ing. My plan is to modify 9398 to my "ultimate version"

Edited August 28, 2013 by Paul B

[dhc6twinotter]

42009 looks to be a pretty good parts pack, especially for trucks.

42000 has some nice suspension parts if you plan on building cars. The wheels are nice size for larger scale cars, and the 3 mini-LAs are nice too.

42008 has a pretty good variety of parts. I love the green color, but if you have a limited number of parts, I think the green may be hard to work with. Better to start with a more common color, IMHO.

8258 is also great, if you can find one for a good price. Same with 8070. Both of those sets together make for a great parts variety pack for anybody getting into Technic (or starting over).

IMHO, both the pick-up tow-truck and the plane are over-priced, however, the plane does have all those red panels, which should come in handy when building cars.

The quad bike is a really nice little set, but it doesn't have much to offer for MOCing. The springs and little bit of panels would be nice, but that's about it. The suspension and steering components are terrible to use in anything. 42005 is overpriced and not worth it.

So, in a nutshell, here are a couple options I would suggest:

Option 1:

8258 Crane Truck

8070 Supercar

Option 2:

42009 Mobile Crane MKII

42000 Grand Prix Racer

If you were in the U.S., I'd say throw in the log truck too. But, since you are in Australia, that will probably put you over $500.

Option 3:

9397 Log Truck

9395 Pick-Up Tow-Truck (overpriced, but parts will work well with log truck)

42000 Grand Prix Racer

Just my $.02.

Edited August 28, 2013 by dhc6twinotter

[Paul B Technic]

Just my $.02.

Thanks for the well thought out and detailed reply. I will have a look around locally and see what I can find.

[Jim]

If you had the time and can find one, imho one of the best parts assortment is the crane truck (8258), a fantastic value for the money. A good assortment of everything Technic. 9394 (jet plane) has a good assortment of panels as well. I'm not fond of the Unimog for parts, unless you're into pneumatics. You get only one small motor, and many specialized parts with limited usability. In that price range I'd get 9398 for the 3 motors, or the Crane Mark II for the parts assortment. Oh, and welcome back to the hobby!

Well spoken!

Additionally you could consider the EV3 set, but that's if you are into it.

I wouldn't spend 500 bucks on the sets you mention Paul. I know time is limited but you should spend your money on great sets, not mediocre ones. I mean, twice the 9395 pickup truck....don't do it. Unless you have some special black MOC in mind of course.

You could split your money and buy a set immediately (to fulfil your needs) and order a great set online (or wait for the stores), like the 8258 or the crane Mark II or service truck or whatever.

Option 2:

42009 Mobile Crane MKII

42000 Grand Prix Racer

Option 2 is great indeed

Edited August 28, 2013 by Ted

[rumpletump]

No Way! Buy yourself 3/4 of a 41999 with your $500.

But I reckon i'd be getting a 42009 You should call Toyworld and Myers and see how far away they will be.

[FuzzyBallz]

2x 8110 and 1x Gran Prix

Those would be your best bet for parts. Sorry to say, but your own choices were terrible.

[Erik Leppen]

What about 8285? The big black American tow truck? I don't think it's in stores anymore, but when it was it was an incredible parts pack, 1880 parts for EUR 110 was a great deal. Especially if you want large amounts of black and red beams.

Also, 8265 is nice as well, if you can get it for a cheap price (say, EUR 70). If you don't need the wheels though, I think 42009 pretty much covers this one.

And I can only agree with 8258.

[TinkerBrick]

I'd recommed trying to get a 2nd hand 8258 and a 8043. This is how came out of my dark ages. They leave you with a good assortment of parts and power functions parts. With an additional 9398 you could built all kind of MOCs.

[750ACE]

Wouldn't coming back to lego mean longer than a 2 month break? I mean it took me nearly 20 years to return and now that I did I own quite a bit and my first moc a year later still sits unfinished. Months go by due to life, kids, work etc... My 41999 sat in a box for nearly 2 weeks :)

I purchased the 9395x2 on ebay for a total $60USD shipped. Great parts in my opinion and I thought I read on your old blog that you used to own 2. I would not pay $79 for one in toys r us. I'm with everyone else though get at least the 42009 or a couple 8010's. The logging truck if you can find one cheap has a good assortment of beams and parts as well. Grad prix if you really need those panels or colors but I don't see the value in the set.

[Rishab N]

i would also say 8258 and 8070 as they give you a lot of stuff