What Kits Would You Use?

[John Howling Mouse]

Constrained by a limited budget but being unlimited when it comes to cool What If, I would offer the following suggestions:
- garage sales (depending on your demographic, you can pick up $25 kits for a buck)
- estate sales (start scouring your local newspapers, especially the smaller "community" versions)
- liquidation outlets (limited variety but we have a chain of stores here that practically give away brand new kits; almost always 1:72)
- re-use old, already-built kits (see EddieM, master of the reworked styrene; sometimes you'll find lot-auctions of these on ebay at dirt-cheap pricing)
- HobbyBoss kits seem to be quite inexpensive and, while not always 100% accurate, might be perfect for Whiffery
- online model/hobby shops often have "bargain basement" sections within their websites with excellent pricing (provided the shipping costs aren't gouging you)

Hope this helps.  I do recall a time when money was tight and it was a choice between going out to a restaurant with my GF (or other such luxury) or buying a decent model.    

[BlackOps]

For me any kit in the stash is fair game. Well of course I have to take into consideration that most of my kits are inexpensive  

I usually look for auctions on ebay that are sold in lots, I like getting a few kits I like and a few I don't really need. the extra kits are a great source for parts and you never know what you can use...but keep in mind ya gotta look carefully and remember not to bid more than your comfortable with. Deals are out there if your patient

I actually tend to like the cheaper kits a bit more than the expensive ones. The expensive kits usually come with a ton more parts but I'm a beliver in if it looks close it'll do for me. Now I'm not knockin' the good stuff, I've just never been a stickler for accuracy but I do like detail...go figure  :dum:  

[cthulhu77]

I don't care how expensive the kit is, what matters is the end product.  Some of our best whatiffers work with junk kits that turn into great ideas.
  Sir John has the right of it...buy low end, and modify.
  It takes a lot to whatif a Tamiya 1/32nd kit...more cajones than I have. Stick with the cheaper stuff until you are sure of what you want to do...money isn't everything, but it sure is important !

[Eddie M.]

I personally use used or cheap kits as my skills still need honing. I've bought a few R/M kits new to bash, but it doesn't happen often. Masters (like JHM, Cthulhu77,etc) are the ones who use the good stuff!  B) Good luck!
   Eddie

[Brian da Basher]

I live on a shoestring budget so I try to spend as little on models and modelling supplies as possible. Since I work in smaller scales (1/72 & 1/144) and dislike detailing, the lower end of the kit spectrum works just fine for me. I do have a few higher-end kits in the stash, but I feel a large sense of guilt about whiffing them.

Bring on those forgotten, dusty old Arifix, Lindberg and Revell kits!

Brian da Basher