And the winner is – well that depends

I got data from two different boards, which vary widely in what the members collect, but common threads run through all collectors answers.

It is pretty clear that most everyone has drawn the same conclusions on who makes the ‘highest quality’ diecast models (CMC, Exoto & BBR are most often given the nod) but only a select few collectors actually base their collections around that standard.

Most collectors, predictably, buy what appeals to them based on their own personal experience and interests. Price and ‘value for the dollar’ also enter into it but, in the end, we mostly collect what makes us smile. The manufacturers who make more of those ‘happy place’ cars are the ones that come to form large parts of our collections. Those numbers can change over time as manufacturers come and go but the standard for most of us is simply that we buy the models of cars we like, not the manufacturers we like or think make the best models.

As a Cobra guy that means Exoto heads my list.

If you are a big fan of the Chaparral cars or the Ford GT40, then Exoto is going to be up on your list as well.

If you are a Muscle Car guy, manufacturers like Highway 61, Ertl, Lane & Supercar Collectibles are going to get more of your shelf space.

If you are more of a ‘Big Chrome’ 1950’s Detroit kind of guy, you are likely waiting to add to your collection with something new from Sunstar.

If you are more of a European sedan kind of guy, particularly of French cars, then chances are you have a bunch of cars from Norev.

Ferrari collectors are going to most interested these days in Hot Wheels & Kyosho and getting a few ‘crown jewel’ pieces from CMC or BBR while in the old days they were buying from Jouef & Bburago.

If you are lucky enough to be a Corvette or Porsche collector you will find a wide variety of manufacturers to choose from but it is a safe bet that AUTOart will be represented in your collection.

If instead you were a big fan of the old Can Am race car series then you are checking E-Bay and the classifieds for old GMP offerings.

And finally if you want to add an ambulance or hearse to your collection (and who wouldn't?), you are on E-Bay checking out Precision Miniatures.

And so it goes. The question of - “Which manufacturer makes the best 1:18 scale car?” - must really be answered by asking the question - “What do you collect?”

If you are lucky, more than one manufacturer makes the car of your dreams and you can then start making cost/benefit calculations. If, on the other hand, there is only ‘one show in town’, the polls indicate that you will buy what is available, and then ‘trade up’ if, and when, something better comes along.