The Subaru Impreza WRX STi S207, from Kyosho's Samurai Line (1/18)

Everyone knows Kyosho for their R/C cars and blind-box 1/64 models, but they occasionally release models in the eighteenth scale as well. In the past, they've been known for their BMW dealer models; in my opinion, those were largely hit or miss. Now, they've shifted focus and have introduced two new lines for their 1/18 models. Their Ousia line, consisting of sealed models made of traditional diecast, focuses primarily on supercars and exotics. Then there's the Samurai line, which are resin models with a collective focus on "everyday" Japanese cars. That means lots of sedans, including this one here.

This S207 STi is part of said Samurai line and is a follow-up to the stock, World Rally Blue STi that Kyosho released last year. Both models are unique in that they are the only examples of the current-generation 'Rex made at this scale. Basically, STi fans, they are your only options. Unfortunately, these also come with a rather hefty price tag. Kyosho knows it has absolute power over an entire fan base, so they can get away with charging a premium. That's how collectibles work and, for the moment, it doesn't look like any other companies are willing to take a plunge at this much-beloved pocket rocket.

I collect with an open mind to all brands and models. This is my first introduction to the Samurai line, and the bar has already been set very high by the multitude of premium resin models on the market, most of which cost only about half of what this one goes for.

Right away, there are no issues to report regarding the overall look of the car. The wheels, stance, and offset are on point - they are the first things I look for when considering whether or not to splurge on a model. The paint is well-applied and looks great, a glossy yellow with a hint of orange. Overall, the details are sharp, with realistic photo-etch badges, a nicely finished exhaust system (the highlight for me), and a carbon fiber wing. One area where you would expect more for the price is the front grille, which is just a solid chunk of plastic with little depth. It's fairly common to see this with resin models, probably because of the way they are constructed - thick plastic shell covering a metal chassis. It's not a deal-breaker for me the way it is for many other collectors, so I'll say it's passable.

The verdict: this S207 is not the most sophisticated model, but it won't disappoint.

Limited to just 600 pieces, I expect they will go rather quickly just like the blue one did. The STi's enormous popularity and the relative rarity of them in the scale model world means there's likely more demand than supply. It's also available in black if bright colors are not your thing.

And it most certainly won't be the last Samurai for me.

A Quick Recap Of The September K-Day Snoozefest

Hands up if you went to the K-Day this past Saturday and found nothing interesting!

Or how about, hands up if you did your research, looked through others' K-Day case finds, and chose to skip it! Or better yet, slept right through it! If so, you're much smarter than I am.

If you missed it, well, you didn't. It was that bad. I'm not talking about the event per se, but the assortment of cars in this particular case was atrocious. Perhaps the absolute worst since I started going to these events five, six, seven years ago. I like to rag on Hot Wheels a lot, and I'll do plenty of it here. Who is in charge of deciding which castings make it to production? Did we really need a dozen generic animal/creature/UFO castings? Who thought it was a good idea to make the regular Treasure Hunt AND the $uper Treasure Hunt both generics?

At my local K-mart, everyone gets a case to themselves on most occasions. I grabbed my handful of cars (plus a few extras for trade) and bounced. Didn't bother sticking around till the end. I'd be willing to be there were a bunch of leftovers. Poor K-mart. They have to go through the long and arduous process of selling off all of that junk. Might as well close shop now.

Amongst the pile of crap, I found two particularly noteworthy releases: the Bel Air Gasser (a First-To-Market) and the black Subaru WRX STi (a K-Day exclusive colorway), or 'Rex for short. I collect all the 'Rex hatchback releases - it's my favorite generation of the beloved rally-turned-pocket rocket that adolescents and teens fawn over. It looks OK, but not as nice as the red one released months prior. Flat black is poor taste in general, and this model is in need of front and rear detailing in place of those graphics. Overall, it's worth getting for the fanboys, and I certainly woke up early Saturday morning to get mine.

The real star of the show was the Gasser. I remember the first release of this casting, in flat light grey, was debuted at K-Day no less. I don't recall if it was an exclusive or a First-To-Market (pretty sure it was the latter), but I fondly recall not getting picked for a case that day and not having the chance to get one. They had all been picked through by the time we got to the free-for-all session. Needless to say, the hype was real back then, and it still is now.

This is my first of this casting. I've skipped them over in the past because I wasn't into American muscle then. Shame on me. These are fantastic.

A Tale of Two Giant Wings

STi or Evo? One of toughest questions in automotive discussion.

It's also a tough decision in diecast. Here we have two rival boy-racers, both produced by Tomica in approximate 1/64 scale. Both very, very good models that are worth getting, much like their real counterparts. Perfect combination of fun, speed, and utility in an affordable package. That's what these cars are about, and we're fortunate to live in a world where we have both options. The Evolution may be now defunct, but we all know its popularity and acclaim will never go away. The STi lives on, the current generation available only in sedan guise. Of course, both come with those massive rear wings that, like it or not, make them stand out amongst normal economy cars.

Both of the models shown here are "regular" Tomica, officially called Tomica Series in Japanese. They're intended as children's toys, but don't let that fool you. Tomica is one of the best at nailing a car's proportions, whether it's for their regular lines or premium lines. Both of these here may be the most accurate examples in all of 1/64th scale diecast. Maybe not the most detailed, but surely accurate.

The wing on the STi is a separate plastic part. The color doesn't exactly match the body color, but you can hardly tell in these photos. Tomica wheels are a subject of controversy and a turn-off to most diecast collectors. These two cars get the sportier, wider, two-tone wheels. Having grown up around these toy cars, I've gotten used to the look. I might even say that I like them. They have a classic, throwback look to them, not to mention they roll perfectly. I get that they look nothing like real wheels, but neither do any of the vintage wheels from Hot Wheels. 

And then we have the Evolution X. As you can see, it's impossible to determine which diecast model is more well done; they're both excellent. This casting has been around for years and has seen various iterations, including, but not limited to, a British patrol car, a Premium version, and numerous exclusive Event Models. This dark red example, the signature Evo X color, may be the only one you will need.