Funny I just had a discussion like this with a fellow I bumped into at a museum last weekend. This fellow dabbles in 1/35th and 1/32nd scale modeling so the following suggestions made sense to him.
His observation was that he would never live long enough to build all of the AFV kits that he buys and that there are times when he would just like to build a diorama with several tanks of one version. Today you can purchase a great kit from Dragon, AFV Club or Tamiya and then buy replacement tracks, drive sprockets, gun barrels, photo etch and resin aftermarket parts and well exceed what several of the comanys now ask for their limited edition resin and white metal vehicles in 1/30th and 1/32nd.
Most of the fellows I know have been taking the 21st Century and Forces of Valor tanks and adding/refining details and doing complete repaints. With a little bench time adding stowage and weathering they will equal or exceed most of the vehicles now offered at a resonable price. In the end you will have a great looking example that is also a unique one that you can take pride in. A note here: I advise you to pick up a scale ruler from your local hobby shop. Once you own one and actually start scaling your vehicles from data and drawings, you will find that everyone is all over the board on scale!
I have built models all of my life and most of the folks I meet are happy to give it a try and share ideas and techniques. This can be far more rewarding than just buying something and setting it on your shelf. As far as value? How can you place a value on the enjoyment and satisfaction of creating something with your own hands and the friendships you may make by sharing ideas with others?