[Maverick]

Hi,

I have been buying for a year now almost all my scalex in Sport edition. What about you?
Do you think it's only a marketing trick from Scalex to make us buy cars more expensive or is it really worth it? I have read that the engine should be better but to be honest I have nerver really seen the difference. Besides sometimes I regret not having the crystal case for those car. The cartoon boxes are nice but mine are always closed for lack of room to expose its opened.

Maverick.

 

[BEEJAY7]

Excellent Topic Maverick.

I get really annoyed about some manufacturers presentation boxes.

Fly have got it just about right, maximum display area in minimum space. Scalextric crystal cases are a close second, being only slightly larger than Fly.

The Sport cases I'm afraid I don't like as you can't display the model and stack, as Maverick states.

Carrera and Nino are far too big, (I replace with Fly cases!)

This is one area where standards would be an advantage to us all.

Regards

Alan

 

[550rs]

At our last race night, there were 3 Scalex GT-40's in our classics race. Down the long straight (around 20+ feet), the Sports version was slightly but noticeably faster than the non-Sports versions. Its the first time we've spotted the difference between Sports and non-Sports and its possible the difference could be just manufacturing variances. We also race without magnets so any magnet drag effect is removed.
For completeness and Inte's amusement, all three GT-40's were soundly beaten by well-tuned and -driven Ninco Jags and Ferrari 250's with NC-1's. Our race group's Ninco track is somewhat quirky and the GT-40's will catch up with a little more development.

 

[Maverick]

I guess I will be buying crystal case starting today. But now the question is: will I be patient enough when a new car will be released to wait for the crystal case version often released 1 or 2 months later...

Maverick.

 

[biggstr6]

WooHoo Mark one up for nc1s

 

[Intergrali]

most are out of boxes and stacked chassis to roof about 4 cars high in an easy to reach place on me storage area (ie desk)

Rob.

 

[meshers]

.. 1" wasted space above a "winged warrior" in carrera's boxes..

..prefer crystal to sport boxes for scalex..

.. but german gt40's don't come in crystal boxes

 

[Scott B]

I buy Sport. You get more and box takes up less space. Would be nice if they were more durable and had some window.

I agree with the previous caller who said Fly have best case compromise with single reservation that the lids sometimes fall off too easily.

Will we never be happy?

Scott

 

[Intergrali]

fly boexes dont actually stack, the mould at the bottom of the case for the guide is too deep, making on end of the box higher than the other!

Rob

 

[GBMark]

I didnt like the idea of the Sport edition boxes at first for the reason already mentioned that you couldnt see the model but now that I have a few I must admit that I am beginning to warm to them. They complement each other with their uniform style and I still like to open up the German GT40 for example and drool over its looks and then close the lid down again. Sad but true

 

[moped rider]

The SPORT models will inevitably run better without magnets because of the ground axles at the rear. The metal bushes provide an edge in the hands of an expert racer also.

Remember that you also get a button magnet in the SPORT package which gives magnet racers an edge.

And in the right location lined up on a shelf the SPORT packaging with the lid open does present the car so much better.

It is "adult" packaging as opposed to packaging for kids. Like wine it gets better with age. Think about those SPORT cars that you purchased last year that you can no longer get now. You maturing collection looks just that little bit more special.

Moped

 

[Tropi]

In direct contradiction, my club's top drivers almost always run standard models rather than Sport.

When they do run Sport versions, they prefer the button magnet out.

Lined up on a shelf, with the lid open, the Sport packaging is a magnificent . . .
dust trap!
Opened up, the lid and box needs about twice the space of a closed crystal case and it's hard to keep the lids open at a consistently regular angle, failing which, the display looks very scruffy.

It's news to me that cardboard improves with age!
Usually, it either dries out and splits or it gets damp and wrinkly as well as delaminating, while the colours fade and/or run. That's the overwhelming reason why plastic packaging has become so dominant. Of course, the cardboard might well TASTE a little better as it ages, but that's a very personal thing - I am no cardboard connoisseur!

There are probably four main reasons why people will choose to pay a little extra for Sport versions

• Sport versions are usually introduced before the standard versions = gotta have it NOW!.
• Some buyers do prefer the outer appearance of the cardboard packaging, despite its obvious disadvantages.
• Some of them actually believe the hype surrounding the ground axle, metal bushings, button mag and even the Sport motor label!
• The perception that they will hold their value or even appreciate in value over time.
  That perception does hold good for a select minority of the Sport models, but certainly not all.

Sport was/is a very smart marketing ploy and, as such, it has worked rather well for Scalextric. They give us two options and it's our free choice which way to turn.

 

[Rich T UK]

a new sport gripe is this: I don't like the little yellow ribbon that's started appearing on the newer sport cars. It looks like it's there to help you lift the bottom bit out so you can get at the spares.
First time I pulled on it on my new TVR, it came off in my hand.

I still like the packaging a lot- it's very satisfying to hold, open, and close in a way that a plastic base with clear cover isn't.

as for the cars running better, I don't notice any difference that can't be attributed to motor or magnet variance. the back end might last longer, But I'd be surprosed if any car I had got that much running to wear it out seriously.
I'm happy to pay the extra couple of quid for that tactility- i'm under no illusions that the car inside is any faster, better or more valuable.

 

[lordjw]

Hi!

Just took picture showing how 18 FLY cars take less space than 8 Carrera cars. Why the BIG BOX!!!????!!!

Julius

 

[MR MAX]

Whoa, sweet rides, they must have taken a few pennies out of your wallet. SCX cases are crystals but are pretty huge also. It dwarfs my Lister Storm (FLY).Fly do have the best ones because you don't have all this design on the outside of the crystal case disallowing you to see the whole car.

 

[jnr_seahorse]

Performance wise I don't notice the sport cars are any different from the standard cars. If anything I find that after a long run or as the cars get older they can actually be slower. Is this just me? I also never use the button magnet, it just makes the car boring to drive since it is practically impossible to get the car to deslot and the extra drag can slow things down.

I do like the boxes though, it makes you feel you have bought something collectable rather than racable!

 

[dannyboy]

QUOTE (moped rider @ 27 Dec 2003, 17:41)The SPORT models will inevitably run better without magnets because of the ground axles at the rear.
Except when the hubs are off-centre

Three of my Sports-GT40´s have wheels that are out of round and that really p..... me off. Why make ground axles etc. when they cant even make a decent hub

So, again, off with the carp-wheels (which is a shame, cause they really look good) and on with Slot-it...... It´s getting to be some pretty expensive cars in the end!

I drive without magnets, btw.

Danny

 

[goldfish_samurai]

I've always bought the standard models in the crystal cases. Being the cynic that I am I didn't really see the point in spending a few extra quid on a fancy box... I prefer the look of the crystal cases anyhow as they fit in much better with my other cars!

 

[phipster]

QUOTE And in the right location lined up on a shelf the SPORT packaging with the lid open does present the car so much better.

How do you keep the lid open? I've got 3 Sport cars and lids stay open with no probs (although at different angles), and the third just won't stay open at all!

I do like the little write up of the car that comes with the sport boxes. But I've started buying crystal case cars as there seems to be no perfromance difference out of the box.

 

[The Muffin Man]

The case makes absolutely no difference to me..........as soon as i've checked the car works ok, in the bin it goes

I have no intention of buying things on the off chance they may be worth a couple of quid more in 10 years time, I buy em to race and only buy sport versions over std if i'm too impatient to wait for a model. Likewise I never buy any limited or collectors editions to sit on a shelf.....just not interested in collecting for the sake of it.

Overall tho, I have to agree that carrera (and also proslot) boxes are far too big. My guess with carrera (and it is a guess) is they use the same box for 1/24 cars....but i have no idea if this is the 'case' cos i don't have any 1/24's