Everyone has that one car moment from a James Bond movie that sticks with them. From the Mustang driving on two wheels in Diamonds Are Forever, Roger Moore nonchalantly driving up a beach in an Esprit, or Pierce Brosnan driving a BMW 750iL using his mobile phone. It's safe to say there are plenty of awesome Bond car moments.
Problem is, while these cars are infinitely cool, they also tend to be rather expensive. We looked at cheap Bond cars several years ago, and it's safe to say prices have gone up since then. There's no way you'd get an S1 Lotus Esprit for under £10,000 nowadays.
Diecast models are a clever way to enjoy Bond on a smaller scale. Even the most expensive model here is a drop in the ocean compared to a real Aston Martin. We've chosen our favourite examples below, and to borrow a line from Q, "Please do look after them 007."
The best James Bond diecast cars
Best Bond car for Aston fanatics
Description
What could be better than one Aston Martin? Well, three is a good shout. This triple pack from Corgi contains the Silver Birch DB5 from Goldfinger, Tungsten Silver Vanquish from Die Another Day and Silver Grey DBS from Casino Royale. They offer decent detail for their size (85mm each) and are the perfect gift for a collector.
Pros
- Three iconic cars in one pack
Cons
- Lacking the detail of larger cars
Best Aston Martin DB10 model
Description
Made exclusively for James Bond's use in Spectre (although there's more than a whiff of Vantage in the design), this DB10 features opening doors and is a really good 1:36 scale model.
Pros
- Opening doors for a more lifelike model
Cons
- More iconic models out there
Best James Bond Aston Martin V8 Vantage model
Description
Originally driven by Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is spotted in the trailer for No Time To Die. This model has been 'winterised' with its hardtop, but there's no word on whether the missiles or rocket are featured.
Pros
- One of the coolest Bond cars
Cons
- None
Best for young children
Description
Lego sets are the perfect way to introduce your kids to, well… just about anything. While the movies may boast a little too much murder, alcohol and womanising for youthful eyes, this endearing Lego set celebrates the part that really matters: the cars. Complete with a miniature Bond and changeable numberplates, this DB5 model is the real deal and perfect for young – or not so young – James Bond fans.
Pros
- Buildable
- Great for kids
Cons
- Lacking refinement of other models
Best Tomorrow Never Dies model car
Description
A controversial choice of Bond car for some (although it makes perfect sense for Bond's banker cover), the BMW 750iL provided the perfect starting point for one of the most gadget-filled car chases of all time. This 1:36 scale model features the sunroof mounted missiles and badge wirecutter and comes in a fancy collectors box.
Pros
- Great rolling model
- Accurate design
Cons
- Aston fanatics might be disappointed
Best On Her Majesty's Secret Service model
Description
George Lazenby's only outing as 007 saw him handed the keys to the gorgeous Aston Martin DBS (the original). While it may lack any gadgets, it's a stunning 1:36 model and is the perfect gift for any fan of On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Pros
- Great gift set
Best Bond Esprit Turbo model
Description
One of the coolest-looking Bond cars of all time (especially with those ski racks). The Lotus Esprit Turbo may not have been the most iconic Lotus driven by James Bond, but with those gold Compomotive CX500 wheels and stickers, it is still a great car.
Pros
- Accurate wheels and decals for a stunning model
Cons
- May take some explaining...
Best flying Bond gift
Description
"Hold on a minute, this isn't a car," you may be thinking. And while a convertible Toyota 2000GT from You Only Live Twice may be a top model choice, it's hard to ignore the sheer brilliance of Little Nellie. Featuring missiles and rocket launchers, this little gyrocopter is as iconic as many of Bond's cars.
Pros
- Complete with movie-accurate missiles and rocket launchers
Cons
- Doesn't actually fly
Best Bond BMW Z3 model
Description
Despite being fitted with radar and stinger missiles behind the headlights, the BMW Z3, as used by Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye, is rather forgettable, and with only two minutes of screentime, it's easy to see why. Still, this model from Corgi features the missiles behind the headlights and is an interesting model.
Pros
- A great Aston Martin alternative
Cons
- Madonna had more screen time in Die Another Day
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.