Darth Vader's TIE Fighter

Name: LEGO Darth Vader's TIE Fighter 8017
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 8017
Rating: 4.53 (314 reviews)

71 · RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: BBB2008251 pcsHigh agreement · 91%

Expert reviews

2analyzed

Owner ratings

314

Consensus

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BrickScore

Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"A well-regarded upgrade over earlier TIE Advanced releases, set 8017 earns its Recommended verdict on the strength of a movie-accurate gray color scheme and an impressive redesigned Vader minifigure, though fragile wings and finicky missiles keep it out of must-have territory. Owners back that read with a 4.53 average across 314 ratings and a 93% recommendation rate."

Reviewers consistently praised this 2008 update of Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 as a significant improvement over earlier blue-winged versions, citing the movie-accurate gray color scheme and a newly redesigned Vader minifigure as headline attractions. With a BrickScore of 70.8 and a Recommended tier verdict, the set earns its place as a solid Star Wars entry rather than an essential one, kept back primarily by structural issues and a contested price. Owners align strongly with that positive tilt, giving it 4.53 out of 5 across 314 LEGO.com ratings, with 93% recommending it.

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LOVED (7)

01Gray color scheme replacing older blue bricks, making the ship far more movie-accurate
02Redesigned Darth Vader minifigure with more detailed chest plate and scarred face underneath the helmet
03New silver lightsaber hilt and dedicated clip underneath the ship to store it during play
04Opening cockpit that seats Vader without requiring helmet removal
05Flick-fire missile mechanism with a switch trigger praised as clever
06Sturdy, well-proportioned wing panels and overall detailed ship design
07Pairs naturally with X-Wing and Y-Wing sets for recreating the Death Star trench run

CRITICIZED (7)

01Wings are prone to wobbling and can detach during active play or if dropped
02Flick-fire missiles are inconsistent and difficult to fire reliably
03Darth Vader's cape makes fitting him into the cockpit awkward and requires bending
04Cockpit hatch opens upward rather than as an authentic side hatch
05Only one minifigure included, no TIE wingmen to complete the scene
06Sticker application required where printed tiles would be preferred
07Price considered slightly high for the piece count at the time of release

What reviewers are saying

"this set was released in 2009 for a retail price of 30 adjusted for inflation that's 40 bucks however if you want one in a brand new shiny sealed box in today's market it's gonna cost you 200 plus dollars that is absurdl…"

MandRproductions

"I have always had a great uh admiration for this particular vehicle in universe"

JANG's LEGO Reviews

Ecosystem

2016 TIE Fighter + A-Wing two-in-one set (75150) — The 2009 set was a standalone release; the 2016 variant bundled a TIE Fighter with an A-Wing for $90, representing a different product positioning.

Death Star (set 75159, ~500 pieces) — Included a small version of Darth Vader's TIE Fighter; the 2009 standalone is the more substantial version.

Darth Vader's Castle (set 75251, ~130 pieces) — Also included a small version of Darth Vader's TIE Fighter; the 2009 standalone offers greater detail and play value.

Blue TIE Fighter (pre-2009) — The light gray 2009 version is a significant improvement over the earlier blue version in terms of appearance and updated pieces.

Star WarsTier 3Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 2

Avg score

Consensus

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MandRproductions

Expert Video Source

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Key Pros

✓excellent design and box art for its era
✓highly detailed for a $30 model
✓strong original Darth Vader minifigure with excellent torso detail and cape

Key Cons

✕single minifigure (only Darth Vader, no other characters like Tarkin)
✕bland cockpit interior

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JANG's LEGO Reviews

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"I have always had a great uh admiration for this particular vehicle in universe"

Key Pros

✓Good capture of TIE Advanced's key design elements (length, wing bend, inner shape)
✓Clever weapon storage with lightsaber clip beneath canopy
✓Hinged, moveable wings

Key Cons

✕Rear section is plain and flat
✕Build is simple with minimal complexity

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Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (0)Wait for sale (0)

Value drivers

MandRproductions: Chrome Darth Vader variant (extremely rare, ~$400 sealed); standard black Vader minifigure also desirable as a peak original-style version.

JANG's LEGO Reviews: Darth Vader minifigure (Death Star version)

Exclusivity

MandRproductions: 10th Anniversary Edition exclusive to 2009 release; not available in later retail. Potential chrome Vader is variant-exclusive.

JANG's LEGO Reviews: Not mentioned

Resale

MandRproductions: Currently trading at $200+ sealed in 2022 for original condition; chrome Vader variants command premium prices (~$400 sealed). However, reviewer expects value to decline upon remake announcement.

Minifigures & Standout Parts

In this set (1)

Darth Vader (Death Star torso)

$23

Standout parts (per reviewers)

TIE fighter cockpit windshield (original generation)
Uses the original/old windshield piece; nostalgic but outdated by 2009 standards. Reviewer notes it still looks serviceable despite being superseded by better cockpit designs.
Stickers on wings and cockpit
Printed detail pieces used to enhance detail without complex building.
Printed piece on top of fuselage
Pre-printed detail for tie fighter design, a long-running reusable piece.
Flick-fire missile mechanism
Hidden deployment mechanism on both sides of cockpit, well-integrated into design.
Light bluish-gray hull pieces
Updated color palette from earlier blue TIE fighter models; improves overall appearance.
transparent black research submarine front piece (canopy)Value
Large, fairly specialized transparent piece used as the canopy

What Owners Say · summarized from 304 written reviews (LEGO, Amazon, Walmart)

Owners love the accurate color scheme, exclusive Darth Vader minifigure, and movie-accurate design, but many report frustrating durability issues where wings fall off easily during play or handling.

COMMON PRAISE