Choosing a set

[Nikus]

Hello. I'm new here so hopefully this is the right place for this topic.

I've been wanting to get an advanced build type of set and have had my eye on the modular buildings for a few years now.

I happen to have some spare cash so that I can finally get one. But of course deciding is proving rather difficult.

Looking at just modular buildings it came down to three for me: Parisian Restaurant, Detective's Office, and Brick Bank. I'm leaning towards Parisian Restaurant, partially because it is the most aesthetically pleasing for me, but also because it has been out the longest, so will probably be retired soonest (am I right?).

But the recent release of Old Fishing Store has me thinking about that set as it looks very nice too. Not to mention Destiny's Bounty. I know totally not in line with the others but still a very cool set.

Thoughts?

[Littleworlds]

Hi Nikus and welcome to Eurobricks. Yes, the Parisian Restaurant is the oldest of these sets, so your reasoning is spot on. Its already a modern classic really. And highly regarded. I would also take a look at the Assembly Square though, which offers a lot more pieces for its money. 

I think it also depends on if you plan on getting more modulars and build a scene with them, or display each set as itself. Or do both, as I do - which is of course far less efficient, but eclectic fun. 

[Nikus]

Thanks for the reply. I would love to keep collecting modular buildings in order to attach them and possibly make them part of a big city. Just have to be able to justify spending that much money :)

Unfortunately, in Canada where I'm at, Assembly Square is rather overpriced. Not that I don't want to get it.

Parisian Restaurant PPP US 6.5c, CAN 7.7c

Assembly Square 7.0c, 8.5c

Detective's Office 7.1c, 8.8c

Brick Bank 7.1c, 9.2c

NINJAGO City 6.2c, 7.2c

Destiny's Bounty 7.0c, 8.7c

Old Fishing Store 7.3c, 8.8c

[ShaydDeGrai]

Those are all great choices really.  I haven't built Ninjago City or Destiny's bounty, but I think it's hard to go wrong with any of them.

Personally, were I in your position, I'd go with either the Parisian Restaurant or the Old Fishing Store (though from your post it looks like the restaurant has a better PPP in Canada).  I found both to be very enjoyable builds with distinctive models in the end (not that there's anything _wrong_ with the other modulars, the Parisian Restaurant just stands a notch higher on the scale for me (for reference, I'd say it's tied for  second (with the Town Hall) behind The Fire Brigade as far as my favorite Modulars go)).

The Old Fishing Store was more fun that I was expecting.  I was actually going to pass on it until reading a number of positive reviews and decided to give it a chance.  In it's own way it reminded me of the Monster Fighter's Haunted House (a great non-Modular set that could be made to work with Modulars with a little imagination).  If you're a MOCer, it's got good parts, "mature" colors and was an enjoyable build in its own right. Plus it has seagulls, you can't go wrong with seagulls (maybe that just the sailor in me talking...)

Aside from the building experience and the quality of the final model, those two are also the ones most likely to go out of production in the near future.  Parisian Restaurant is the oldest Modular still in production and will likely go away as soon as the next modular is announced (if not before). The Old Fishing Store is an Ideas set, which traditionally means it's starting with a limited production line and could sell out at any time; some Ideas set linger on shelves for a while, some get a second run, some just go away without much advance notice.  My rule of thumb with Ideas sets is: if you want one, get it now rather than regret it later.

Hope this helps.

[Nikus]

Thank you both for the great advice. I have decided to go with the Parisian Restaurant. Ordered tonight so that I could get the Nutcracker

Now I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the Old Fishing Store does not disappear before I get a chance to get it.

[Littleworlds]

9 hours ago, Nikus said:

Thank you both for the great advice. I have decided to go with the Parisian Restaurant. Ordered tonight so that I could get the Nutcracker

Now I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the Old Fishing Store does not disappear before I get a chance to get it.

Sounds good to me! And I had no idea the prices vary that much internationally. The fishing store should be around for a while now. Maybe a year in total. I think it depends on the demand. The 1984 Ecto-1 was for sale for 3 years maybe, for example.

[MAB]

I'd forget about price per part and buy one you think you will enjoy building, especially if it is one of your first major purchases.