MAGRED-02

I'm sure this has been asked before but which company has the better diecast. Is one or the other consistently better. I realize that opinions are very subjective, just trying to get a feel for which one should get my money.

7Vette

Danbury seems to be slightly better in quality and detail, although FM has more Vettes available.

beachcat

I have lots of FM, but no DM. Others have mentioned before that the DM's are better.

Leos 81

Here's my observance on the whole DM vs FM debate. FM has long been the leader in quality of production of diecast cars, but that has changed drastically in the last two years. DM has gone to GREAT lengths to produce a far superior diecast in these last two years. Their green '68 and maroon '65 are FAR SUPERIOR to any FM ever produced. I will also go as far as to say that FM as regressed from a quality standpoint. FM diecasts from a couple years ago are almost better than recent releases.

Not only do I feel that DM has blown past FM in quality, but I think numerous other diecast model company's have done the same... AutoArt being the obvious example with a few others on the list as well.

Now please keep in mind that DM diecasts that are a couple of years old are not as great as the more recent ones... so beware on eBay. The ones out there might not be quite what you'd be expecting.

Last but not least, 7Vette is right that FM has more Vettes than DM, but DM is quickly closing the gap with recent releases, and from what I hear, they have many on the way.

:party:

MAGRED-02

I appreciate the feedback and still welcome other opinions. I don't have any plans on going after old releases, just what is currently available. I'm guessing it would be too expensive to go backwards. So far I have only collected the lower end models (Ertl,Maisto,ect.) with some UT and Auto Art sprinkled in. However, I am out of room to display them and thought I might start buying quality rather than quantity. I would still buy some lesser models though, can't shake the bug entirely.

LS1-Corvette00

Here is my opinion..

Franklin Mint (for the most part) blows. I have yet to see any of thier 1:24th
cars that impressed me. DM on the other hand has surpassed the FM's best
efforts in 24th scale from what I have seen.

Liberty2000

I have some FM Corvettes and some DM Corvettes and I have to agree with the previous posts. FM has been making their Corvettes for a long time and there are quie a few out there. I have both the 50th AE coupe and convertible from FM and I like both. Very nice job on the paint on both. But I would say the DM ones they are coming out with now are significantly more detailed than the FM models.

And DM does have quite a few in the pipeline that will be coming out in the months ahead. Their Limited Edition Corvettes series will have the 53 that's already out, a 69 roadster with a 427/435 hp, a 64, a 60 and a 96. Their Classic Corvettes series will have a 68 roadster, a 61, a 62 and a 63.

So, I like both the FM and DM models. But I agree, the recent DM ones are the best when it comes to details.

bradc6

I have 60 DM 1/24th cars, 6 of them are Corvettes. Guess that tells you which one I think is better.

MAGRED-02

Many thanks to all who replied. I have given my wife three choices from Danbury Mint as a Xmas list, now I'll have to wait and see what happens. Wish me luck.

TCW

I have every FM Corvette ever produced. For that reason alone I will continue to buy new FM released Corvettes.

Since I own all the FM Vettes I can see a definite decline in quailty in the last 2 years. Too bad. I may have to switch to DM. :nonod:

Tom

RPOZ51

I'm with you. I'm really trying to resist the Collector Club with the Black 1980, but I regretted missing out on the Gold C5.

I'm diseased.

93aqua

FM was great, didnt really like dm. but now, DM blows away fm. the 68 vette is awesome better than any recent FM.

Leos 81

What's this about a Black 1980???? FM has one coming out?? I'll have to look into this.

Leos 81

I couldn't resist... I had to become a FM Diecast Club member. That "free" black '80 (even though membership cost $120) was too gorgeous to pass up.

MAGRED-02

Does anyone have the DM 53? If so, what do you think? If the wife doesn't come through for Xmas I was going to order it myself. I'd also like to get the 68 and 95 ZR1.

93aqua

i have the 68 i think its great, im waiting for the 53 and zr1.

Leos 81

I have the '53 and the '68. The '53 is the best '53 I've ever seen! The '68 is pretty cool too. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate the '53 a 10 and the '68 a 9.5. I also have the Maroon '65 and that ranks about a 9.75. I'm waiting for my red '69. I'm really excited about getting that one!! For reference, I'd rate more recent AutoArts as between 8 and 9.


[Modified by Leos 81, 9:51 AM 12/17/2003]

Illini Steve

Leo,

Have you seen the AutoArt 1:18 '53 yet?

Leos 81

Yes, I've seen it, but haven't bought one yet and have yet to inspect it closely. From what I saw quickly at some displays, it was quite impressive, but I couldn't say it was any better than the DM '53. I'd have to comment after I actually purchase one for myself.

From what I remember though, it didn't seem as if there were any inaccuracies on the AA, but again, I didn't really inspect it. I have to say though... although I prefer 1:18th scale to 1:24th scale because usually the detail is better, I think it is far more impressive to make an extremely accurate 1:24th as opposed 1:18th. The simple reason is that the smaller the diecast, the more difficult it is to nail the details. Sorry for stating the obvious. :lol:

peter p

DM 1953 is awesome. Much more detail in engine bay and trunk. The fuel covers on their diecasts also open! Just started collecting here and have seen both FM and DM. DM blows FM away. Definitely more parts and intricacies to their cars.