I just started this set (Jan 7 2025) after finding a steal on one, $400 used but 100% complete with all original boxes, manuals, etc. You're 100% right on the engineering, both in terms of its impressiveness and how disheartening it is to know that it's only visible during construction. While the later models did a much better job in paneling to give a more "complete" look, this is truly a masterpiece of a build. The paddle shifters especially, which I just finished, are wonderous.
I just started this set (Jan 7 2025) after finding a steal on one, $400 used but 100% complete with all original boxes, manuals, etc. You're 100% right on the engineering, both in terms of its impressiveness and how disheartening it is to know that it's only visible during construction.
While the later models did a much better job in paneling to give a more "complete" look, this is truly a masterpiece of a build. The paddle shifters especially, which I just finished, are wonderous.