im 19 now. studying engineering in monash university sunway (2nd year).
i got my 1st set of lego for my bday when i was in standard 2 (8 yrs old). it was a 1996 set. 8230 - Police buggy - miami police patrol.
For a long long time, i only had 1 set to play with. Of course I started out with the instructions given in the book. But after that, I got creative and started making many other things out of it. Helicopters, motorbikes, robots, guns, and even those "fly chaser" thing that u see in pasar malam (long story).
Anyway, it was almost 7 years later until I finally gotten my 2nd LEGO set - The LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 1.5 when I am in form 3. Note: I got this set 2nd hand from eBay UK (My sister had to carry it back for me as a birthday present I requested). =D
So now I only have 2 lego sets and I've made no less than 100 different models out of it over the years.

So...how did it benefit me?

1. It enhances and encourages creativity and innovative thinking
2. It helped me understand simple mechanics - gears, levers, pulleys, etc.
3. It served as a healthy past time
4. Helped me decide to study engineering (Mechatronics major)
5. Create a topic among friends and colleagues. (Im known as the Lego boy). haha.
6. Encouraged my interest to participate in the National Robotics Competition (when i was in form 4)
7. Helped me in my university projects
8. and many more...

Anyway, It's so nice to see more and more parents nowadays are seeing these toys as educational stuff for their kids. My parents aren't really those who would spend so much on Lego for me (in fact, they never bought me one b4  ...) But they did not stop me from playing though. Hehe.
Nowadays they have robotics classes as extracurricular activities in primary and secondary schools. My nephew is in one. It's really good as kids are given the opportunity to be exposed to such things at such young age. How I wish i could've had the chance. It would be very nice to represent the school and join competitions at school/ district/ state/ national or even international levels.

IMO, Lego presents alot of opportunity for young kids to explore their creativity and create new things. Since I have 2 nephews that's quite close to me, I must say that video games are still the biggest interests of kids their age (8 and 6). However, with proper nurturing and guidance in the correct direction, I think LEGO can still pwn Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and Astro. Hahha. GOod luck! =D

P.S. Lego technic sets are really nice toys. Do get them one if they are interested...1 set can go great lengths to shift a child's future (like me). 

I am eagerly waiting this set, dunno when will arrive. Even the guys at Brickboy are quite clueless when they will come. Estimated in 2 months time. Early part of the year I ask them the same question, around august or september, but I think the kontena still stuck in Denmark. 

For price, based on prices all over the whole:-

In US 8258 cost USD 150.00 = Rm 529.00
In Australia is costs AU 299.00 (the aussies are complaining the LAs are made out of gold doh.gif ) = RM 862.00
In UK it costs UKPounds 127.25 (the brits are complaining too) = RM 737.00
In Denmark is cost DK (Denmark Kronor) 1399.00. = RM 944.00

source: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?...ic=22204&st=135 and Lego Shop at Home

So I estimate it should be around RM 899 or 950 MAX. When Brickboy say it will be about RM 1050.00 I nearly pengsan that day I ask Note that the price shall be BEFORE ANY DISCOUNT WHATSOEVER!

Some price comparison with other stuff currently sold:-
Venator class cruiser K 1199.00 = RM 809.00; RM 750.00 here (kudos to our local guys for not bumping up the cost to RM 799.00)
Midi-scale Millenium Falcon = DK 349.00 = RM 235.00; RM 210.90 (dunno why, Star Wars stuff seems cheaper this time)
Truck Garage 7642 = DK 699.00 = RM 472.00; RM 479.00 here (rounded up to RM 480.00???)
City Corner (the one with the yellow bus) = DK 429.00 = RM 289.00; RM 299.00 here (rounded up to RM 300!!@#@!?)
Red Sports car = DK 69.95 = RM 47.21; RM 44.90 (whew, I thought they would round up to RM 50 )
Front Loader 8265 = DK 699.00 = RM 472.00; so our estimated price should be RM 460-480.00

More price comparisons can be done by going to shop at home and selecting Denmark as your country. Our prices seem to tally with those from Denmark, so it is a good indicator as to who much we need to pay for.