Bruder Trucks

We have a few Bruder toys. They are pretty nice, the thing we've found is that sometimes the parts come off - you can put them back on, but it's frustrating for my boys. Example - our crane has had the string break that holds the hook (I fixed it easily). And, our dump truck has sides on the back that fold down, they also come off - so I am often putting them back on.

As for price, I'd go check at your local T.J. Max, it's been a few years, but I used to find them there for 1/2 the price (around $40).

and also Amazon.com usually has stuff for a cheaper price if you check often... example...

http://www.amazon.com/Bruder-Toys-02754-Crane-Truck/dp/B0...

Yes they are! When my son was 2.5, all he wanted was a "real 'ment mixer"... cement mixer. My BIL bought him the Bruder one and 2 years later and tons of "rough and tumble" trips around the house, yard, playground and driveway it still looks brand new! It's pricey, but he'll have it (in working condition) for years.

My construction-loving son loves his Bruder vehicles. They are plastic, but pretty durable. As you noted, they look awesome - very realistic, which he loves. We don't have the crane, but have been more than satisfied with the forklift, the excavator, and the cement mixer.

We have had a few Bruder vehicles. Their customer service is great! If you need a replacement part, call them and the piece will be mailed to you at a resonable price.

My son has a small Bruder collection that we started when he was around your son's age. We've got the cement mixer, the garbage truck, a front loader, a bulldozer, and a flatbed truck. He did play with them regularly and still does at age 8, four years later. They have held up beautifully, other than the mirrors on the doors, which have snapped off of one vehicle. The little moving pieces and parts still work.

The one restriction I put on them is that they weren't to go outside. I only did this after the experience of trying to get sand out of all the little internal pieces and parts of the cement mixer. For outside play, the Tonka trucks are a little better, mainly because they are easier to hose down.