47381 Super Astute (due December)

[Twinfan 1831]

I can also vouch for Modelsport and for Time Tunnel Models.  Both are excellent, I've used them plenty of times  

[Twinfan 1831]

Sorry - double post

[Hobbimaster 205]

On 9/2/2024 at 8:08 PM, Saito2 said:

Some days I think I'm the only one that likes the 90's-tastic Super Astute box art, j/k. The original Astute livery is quite classy however.

I think those of us who lived through the 90's can relate, and appreciate the Super Astute. Tamiya really did capture that era of bright, splashy colors on a body shell. This time around, I think Tamiya should include an additional decal sheet with regular Astute decals so builders can choose between them. Kind of like what Kyosho did with the Optima mid/Turbo Optima mid. I honestly don't see Tamiya ever releasing a Astute kit after the TD2 version.

[Saito2 7302]

14 minutes ago, Hobbimaster said:

I think Tamiya should include an additional decal sheet with regular Astute decals so builders can choose between them.

That's a great idea.

15 minutes ago, Hobbimaster said:

I honestly don't see Tamiya ever releasing a Astute kit after the TD2 version.

I agree. The Astute has its fans but the rear adjustable hubs were fragile and Tamiya does not seem to want to re-investigate the shim style ball diff nor invest in replacing it with an upgrade like they did with the Egress. How cool would a relatively inexpensive Madcap be, let alone the lusted-after King Cab? The Super Astute was relatively rare and likely didn't move as many units as the original Astute. Tamiya skipping over the original for the Super feeds the theory on their trepidation of an original re-release.

[GToddC5 1632]

FYI - These are up on Amain for preorder - got mine in!

[Hobbimaster 205]

22 hours ago, GToddC5 said:

FYI - These are up on Amain for preorder - got mine in!

Thanks for the heads up! I'm torn between ordering from Tamico, or Amain.

[jdh6fan 33]

Tower has the best deal in the states that I have found.

[Hobbimaster 205]

29 minutes ago, jdh6fan said:

Tower has the best deal in the states that I have found.

Best deal out there!

[Saito2 7302]

Tower's price is great, but can they be trusted? Do they have their system fixed? Seeing folks billed 2 or 3 times but still not receiving their kit or pre-ordering kits and still waiting for them a year later while others who didn't pre-order got theirs is pretty disheartening.

edit: wow 58% gave one star reviews on Trustpilot. I want to thank Horizon once again for ruining Tower .

[FromageTheDog 73]

I just don't trust Tower anymore.  And the coupons are no longer supposed to work with Tamiya kits (though I've heard some folks claim otherwise, YMMV), which means that their "best" pricing is only "best" before Amain's coupon price.  Since Amain has never played games with my orders/preorders, they now get all my business.

[Saito2 7302]

Tower has it for 218 while Amain has it for 272 but I'm with you, I just can't trust them anymore.

[Hobbimaster 205]

12 hours ago, Saito2 said:

Tower has it for 218 while Amain has it for 272 but I'm with you, I just can't trust them anymore.

I'm thinking this is special pricing for pre-orders only. I can see it going up once actual stock arrives. Even though I had a order go MIA last year, I'm willing to give them one more shot at redemption since other orders have went though without issue. I was told there were issues with their new inventory software that has since been fixed.

[GTodd 1562]

Spending waaaaay too much on a Lionel polar Express 1225 this month. The Astute will have to wait until the New Year.  Can't wait to see some of your builds .

[FromageTheDog 73]

3 hours ago, Saito2 said:

Tower has it for 218 while Amain has it for 272 but I'm with you, I just can't trust them anymore.

(!) Wow.  Yeah, that's a pretty big difference.  I'll wait and see how next month's coupons look like (I'm fairly certain they strategically set these to match Tower pricing), but in the end I'm just done with Tower.

[Hobbimaster 205]

On 9/22/2024 at 9:54 PM, FromageTheDog said:

(!) Wow.  Yeah, that's a pretty big difference.  I'll wait and see how next month's coupons look like (I'm fairly certain they strategically set these to match Tower pricing), but in the end I'm just done with Tower.

I get what your saying,  if Tower cannot fulfill my order, Amain will get my business.

[GToddC5 1632]

I noticed that AMAIN has these listed on sale to match the pricing of Tower. Not sure how long this will last, so get to gettin' !