I am big time Jeep Wrangler fan and it was one of my bucket list item to own… Fortunately I could get some beautiful scale model in my city (Bangalore, India) I live in and I love picking them in stores as opposed to ordering them them online… Bburago and Maisto have their full collection brought into so I have a good collection of 1:18 scale model made these brands. Maisto released these 1:18 2014 Jeeps Wranglers (soft top and open version) way back in 2015 and I got them then without any second thoughts.
Yeah these are old models, which I picked some time in 2015 & 2017! But they have been in my storage collecting dust as I was travelling extensively and keen on newer model, which I been collecting. Now the time is on finally on so I will try and get them all out and unbox them if they deserve a separate post.
You can takeout from the color of the boxes that they are previous generations Maisto packaging and yes I picked them way back… I got the soft top version in red from a toy store (ModulArt, Bangalore) here in India and the open version from Saudi Arabia from Toys R Us, Khobar. Though they came from different countries they look identical in every fronts. The barcode is the only difference and that sticker for price and import details.
Let me be frank, I love open Jeeps than its soft top or hardtop avatar… so I wanted the open version since day it was announced! Because Indian vendor dint get the open version then I picked the soft top version, which is also a very good model but it lacks a bit of character that only wrangler sports. I picked this from ModelArt, Bangalore (India) for INR.2495/-, which is a normal price then.
As I couldn’t get the open version of this 2014 Jeep Wrangler anywhere in India (online or offline), I almost gave up and dint want to import as with the shipping and import duties it will reach AUTOart level, which makes no sense. But luck struck when I found this in ToyRUs, Khobar (KSA) on my business visit and I picked it by paying SAR.149. They had two color options and I picked this copper shade as it look kind of neat.
Unboxing is pretty much straight forward, nothing special on either of these Jeep… open the box, cut a few bands and unscrew the model from the base. And viola the Jeep is out of its plastic cage and ready to roar. I only clicked the pics of the soft top Wrangler as they both share the similar unboxing process.
Once out they both show different attitude, yeah they are Jeeps and they are expected to have road presence and that to in style. The soft top version in red looks a bit lower stanced but it is due to my camera, which changed a bit between these two. The lower stance illusion is also due to that heavy black top which creates this.
I was in KSA when I picked this open Jeep Wrangler and its a regular sight on the streets of Khobar. The open version look a bit athletic purely due to the fact it don’t have anything heavy to make it bulky. The paint finish is also lighter that the soft top adding to that sporty/athletic appeal.
I was expecting similar front facia but in this 3/4 angle they look different and they have their own character. I am not sure is it because of the paint finish or the camera angle but I like it. Maybe in straight up shot we will see lesser difference, then again they will show subtle difference in that as well. I kind of feel they are two completely different model if placed a bit far off in your display cases or photos.
Profile is where these two shows maximum variance though the only difference is the soft top. In this angle the soft top is more obvious and changes the overall look of these Jeeps… Yeah the soft top looks a bit tamed as compared to the open lifestyle Wrangler, because this 2014 version gets more prominent plastic fenders, they look cooler than its predecessors.
I expected the rear of these two have very significant variation and I was right for the most parts. The soft top version looks a little bulky and the taller than the open version. Though that is the only difference, you would feel the open version is far compact due to its exposed frame and shape of it. Being a open SUV you get to enjoy more of its interiors and in this shot you see the seating and I love it.
Weightwise these two are not supposed to vary by a big margin… And you will not be surprised to see the soft top wrangler weighing 17gms more. But what surprised me is that it is this 2015 made Jeep Wrangler is a whole 50gms heavier than the Jeep Wrangler Sahara by Bburago, which tipped the scale at 488gms! Bravo Maisto for maintaining that quality and weight.
Finally before I wrap this first impression, here goes my side by side pic. This shows how they fair pegged right next to each other and these two looks fairly similar but with its own identity. The orange paint finish makes the open version a bit unique but the red works well as well. If you like to have some contrasting models in display, a white body Jeep Wrangler would be a great addition too.
After playing with these two Jeeps for a while I am attracted towards the open 2014 Jeep Wrangler as it has more access to interior details. The paint finish on it also played significant role but my view may change after a full review, which is on its way sooner than you think. Till then… Ciao.
