The Nissan Silvia S14, by Ottomobile (1/18)

Here's a first. Finally, someone decides to make an eighteenth-scale model of every aspiring-drifter-teen's favorite FWD sports car line, and it's by none other than our favorite resin brand. This is Otto's rendition of the S14-generation Nissan Silvia.

First off, the color - wow! Perfect choice. Thinking back at some of the famed Midnight Purple Skylines, it's pretty clear that purple is the ideal color for Nissan sports cars. I've already fallen in love; there's really no need to continue the discussion. But anyways, one of the things you'll also notice about this S14 is that it's bone stock, like it's straight from a 1993 showroom. Good luck finding an example this clean on the streets today. But that's also what makes this model all the sweeter. The beige-ness of it is admirable. The simplicity of 90's-era Japanese automotive design is well-captured here, from the economy-car wheels to the dull finish on the exhaust. 100% nostalgic.

The Updated Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34) NISMO, from GT Spirit (1/18)

It's no surprise I'm a sucker for anything Nissan, particularly work by NISMO, their in-house tuning department. Enter the Fairlady Z, better known under the bland and boring name of 370Z here in the U.S. The Z receives a new bodykit, new wheels, a duck-tail spoiler, and splashes of red to make it uniquely NISMO. Whether you like it or not, current NISMO styling trends dictate that there must be red trim throughout the car (see: GT-R and Juke), and such is the case here.

The 370Z underwent a significant facelift at one point during its long, strung-out production run, and this model reflects the most current NISMO version. The original NISMO, with (in my opinion) a sleeker and more simplified look, larger wing spoiler, and lack of tacky, red trim, has also been done by GT Spirit in a white colorway. I am still in search of that one, but as a huge fan and obsessive Nissan collector, I'm glad that GT Spirit gave us both variants. For the completists or those who think silver is too plain, the model shown here is also available in black as an Asia-exclusive colorway.

Whatever I may have thought about the way this car looks in its real form is irrelevant when it comes to the model. It's not unusual to realize that cars have a tendency to look better in miniature form than they do in actual scale. I might even be starting to like this Z after all. Credit to GT Spirit, who once again pulls out all the stops and makes a perfect replica of the car - not a single area of complaint whatsoever.

Who Did It Better? AUTOart vs. Kyosho in the Battle for Godzilla Supremacy

Two of the marquee brands in diecast. Two GT-R's. Two heavyweights going against each other, but there can only be one winner.

 

This dark grey AUTOart Nissan GT-R (R35) is my latest acquisition. If you've been keeping track, this my fifth R35 (with dozens more in 1/64), and I'm not even ashamed to admit how much I love the car. People want it to be this and that. They want it to look as beautiful as an Italian exotic. They want to be coddled as if they're driving a German. They want the back end to swing out when you nail the gas around a corner, like an American. Guess what? That's not what Godzilla is about. It's distinctly Japanese, as it should be. It's a purposefully-built, Gundam-styled, technologically-advanced machine that flat-out gets the job done. 

Back in the day, when I had just started getting into diecast, when the R35 GT-R was still an otherworldly marvel, AUTOart and Kyosho both introduced their eighteenth scale models of Godzilla at around the same time, stirring debate from collectors and fans alike. Both models sat at around the same price point, so it was a natural comparison. Who did it better? 

The younger me would read all the talk on the forums, scroll through the photos, and form my own opinion based on what I saw through pixels, letters, and hyperbole. At the time, it was undoubtedly the AUTOart for me, but it ultimately made no difference. I was like one of those internet guys who talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. I had zero intention of owning either, let alone getting myself caught up in the high-end model car game. 

Things change. Now I have them both, and I get to be the judge.

Keep in mind that these are actually two slightly different versions of the R35 GT-R. The Kyosho is the left hand drive version that we get here in the states; the AUTOart is true JDM. That explains a few of the minor differences such as the color of the indicators, some of the engine details, and the roof antenna that is present on the silver example. Despite that, it's always interesting and surprising to see how two different companies have two very different ways of replicating essentially the same car. 

In the grand scheme of things, these two are actually incredibly similar to one another as far as accuracy is concerned. Most overlapping models out there have a clear stud and a clear dud. If you didn't want to read the comparison, I would just tell you now that you can't go wrong with either, and that the final verdict is more subjective than it is qualitative. 

No toys were harmed in the making of this review.

If you come across these models, in person or in photos, there is one definitive indicator as to which is which: the wheels. Kyosho opted for the always-stylish gunmetal finish on their wheels, wrapped with thicker tires. AUTOart went with the standard silver wheels (there are variants with matte black wheels that go for more than $300 these days) and tires that look brutally emaciated in comparison - and believe it or not, these are completely true to the real car. 

Behind the wheels, we have the brakes, and AUTOart continues to uphold its commitment to accuracy. The Kyosho has discs whose slots are far too large and noticeable; however, I do prefer its more metallic finish. 

Overall proportions and bodywork are excellent on both, serving as a reminder of why you pay top dollar for these models. The rest lies in the fine details.

It may be hard to see from all the chrome, but Kyosho went all in with the headlights.

The AUTOart has a more accurate exhaust, with a better finish and a properly-angled cut at the end.

Unsightly hinges on the Kyosho are also very awkward to operate and cause excessive panel gap.

Love the wiring on the AUTOart, but the Kyosho has better mouldings for its engine components. Also of note: AUTOart's carbon fiber print on the grille vs. Kyosho's textured pattern.

Do underpanel details matter? According to Kyosho, yes. Yes they do.

No contest here - just look at the hinges.

+1 to AUTOart for the photo-etched GT-R emblem on gills. -1 for the blurry photo.

The GT-R's interior may not be much, but this one is super nice.

Where did the leather stitching go? Also, the carpeting material is unrealistic.

So here's what we've got. The AUTOart is virtually the unanimous winner when it comes to the exterior. If you want the most accurate R35 on the market, it's the one to get. The Kyosho wants to remind everyone that it's the inside that counts, but interior details often get overlooked when it comes to scale models. 

Forget all of that. If you're familiar with these models, if you've read all the discussion, if you've ever considered getting one of these, you'll know there's really only one deciding factor:

The color of the wheels. 

And that's really the great equalizer here. The Kyosho can be an inferior model, but it will still win over your heart with those slick gunmetal wheels. That's where I stand in this comparison. I'll take the Kyosho, please.

Or, you know, both!

Family portrait.