DrJB

Not sure I understand the question ... Are you looking for sets that have the same bucket as 8043? If so, the page below (from bricklink) shows that such part was released 7 times. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=32030&in=S

@zux: look up 50904 on bricklink. It's a fairly cheap part and came in 7 bionicle sets.

I agree fully. Here is another one worth pondering: It is well known that lego prices at Toys-R-Us are HIGHER than those at Lego stores (sometimes 10-15%). And yet, here in Chicago, TRU sells a LOT of lego, and there are 3 Lego Stores ... I can't follow the logic, but I guess convenience and impulse-buy may be factors ...

I guess the reason is those are relatively 'small' cars and could operate very well on EU roads. I never drove a small car in the US and thus, never noticed.

Reminds me of my last trip to Italy. I had a rental car ... and the display+gauges (Instrument Cluster) were in the middle of the dashboard, between driver and passenger. I 'naively' thought this was a way to keep all passengers informed as to the vehicle operation ... A colleague then mentioned they (European manufacturers) do this for cost-reduction. Since the same car is to be sold both in the continental EU and in the UK, it is much cheaper to have a single dash-board that would fit both versions. I find it rather 'awkward' to have to look back left and right when driving. Looking up/down (when controls are behind the steering wheel appears much easier...

Two options: 1. Buy yourself NEW gift cards (with those you have) - Some stores won't allow you to do that. 2. Buy a BIG lego set (do NOT open it), then return it when the 2014 sets show up, against some 'store credit'. However, if they won't accept the return, you've got yourself a nice set nonetheless... Though, gotta choose 'wisely'.

That's exactly what I said ... or at least 'implied'. How many, of all the people who buy Lego, know you can get them directly from Shop@Home? ... Better yet, how many people (not on here), know that Lego sells directly to end-users???

I was able to order some of those parts as well ... but some are ridiculously expensive ... ON the Lego site.

Well then, at the other extreme, you may want to mimic what happens in real life, with real vehicle ... A CVT + Constant Power Curve (power=torque×RPM). While some of this is 'feasible' (with clutch gear that limits torque), most likely would require a 'large' build.

+1 ... ALL remotes issued with the Technic sets are either on or off. To have gradual accel/decel, you need to use the remotes found in the train sets.

Well, very easy. More people know about eBay than they know about TLG and bricklink. Also keep in mind that not all locations in the US have a Lego Store ... Some small village near Kenosha in Wisconsin ... or in North Carolina's Outer-Banks has absolutely no access to a Lego Store ...

It could be something very 'basic' ... For example: It is very easy to modify the tag (available/sold-out/back-order) on an item than it is to modify/reformat the entire web-page...

I am curious to see how many of those 'regional' sets sold across the globe. I bet the white house sold more in the US ... Burj Dubai sold more in the UAE, ... etc. Then again, some on here disagree, but keep in mind that not everyone who buys those landmarks is an avid lego collector. Few years ago in Chicago, you could not get ALL the small architecture sets. I recall asking specifically for the Seattle needle and others, and the answer I got from the salesperson at the Lego store, was that such sets were very 'regional'...

Somehow none of those parts are available on the Lego US site .... Edit: Found them. I was initially looking in the 'Pick-A-Brick' section.

I just spoke to the Lego Store in Schaumburg (suburb of Chicago), and per the lady manager, that set has been released in the UK only, and there is no set date for US release ... darn.

From my recollection, those bionicle ball joints are tight and thus, not suitable for a steered tire ...

I have not read the whole thread ... but here is another point of view. I bet there are not many people who have heard of Marina Bay BEFORE it showed up in Lego. Also, like the Burj Dubai, Seattle Needle, or other sets, those only hold a 'special' value to those who have visited the place or want to. I bet the 'masses' (i.e., NOT Lego Collectors) would not care much about the Burj Dubai, Marina Bay, or Sydney's Opera House. That, IMHO, explains possibly why such sets are issued in limited quantities... Who, in New York City, has visited Singapore (Marina Bay) and wants a replica of the iconic towers?

It is rather easy. The plastic appears hard, but in fact u can easily cut it with an X-Acto knife ... Or you can start with a pair of pliers/shears, cut in the middle, leave a bit more on the gear side, then you can easily shave the rest off with a sharp blade. It is much easier than it appears.

Looks very nice ... can't wait for the whole set. Now, what type of functions are you planning?

I've read somewhere that the orange technic parts are exclusive to the Unimog and not to be released with any other set. Is this true/official? That'll make those panels rather pricey on BL ...

I checked two nearby Toys-R-Us stores and shop.lego.com but none of the new sets (cargo plane and snow-mobile) are available yet ... I'm debating heading to the nearest lego store (60 km) but most likely will call first. In any event, anyone knows if the new sets are available in the US?

All of these concepts, while very interesting/promising, are nothing but 'dreams'. I highly doubt that TLG will ever consider such designs, given their recent move to Cuusoo rules changes etc. Also, the spherical/ribbed ball (that goes into the 4x propeller blade or 8880 hub) has not been seen in a long time, and I highly doubt we'll see them again. Many of the new parts in recent years are (the way I see it) an attempt to go to even smaller parts, be it the suspension arm, cardan, or the plethora of non-technic parts. Maybe the ultimate target is people with small fingers, and who are easily impressed by the high part count advertised on lego sets. Not meaning to sound negative but ... all you need to do is look at all the parts proposed by Cachon ... That said, I'd love to be proved wrong.

Looks like the TriStar wheels from an 'old' movie. There are few variations on such design. Google 'Lego Tristar Wheel'. My favorit design is the one that uses the Y 1/2 width liftarms from gigamesh... I've been collecting those and have enough to build a tristar vehicle ... but who got time for this?

True, all iPads/iPhones/... are made in China. Thus, top quality is expected, but TLG needs to keep a tight lid on not only quality but also 'leaked/stolen' designs ... and China is home to many clone/counterfeit brands.

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