I think there was only 1 fire staion not buying, but this one is better than that one(01-02-03???)

Anyway this set is awesome, i did a little reorgainsing like making Fire Car Sets fit on the rooftop, took the alarm sign and put it buy the guy on the bottom level and moved the keyboard on the top over 2 bricks.....

Useful...i bought it cause it reminded me of Ladder 49 the movie...good movie, much inspiration for my city....

LEGO IS AWESOME and i hope the expand this theme with more sets and different minifg faces for each one....like the sad truth that i have 4 beared guys(oh man!)

Fantastic set! It has a lot of minifigures, a lot of equimpment and a lot of details. Building has garage, 2 offices and a pipe. It's included a fireman's truck too. V.Good set.

+Big building!
+A lot of mini-figures and accresories
+Details, details, details!
+Car...

-...which haven't doors
-Set can be better

4/5!

I was really, really looking forward to more Garage Door elements as they were included in the City Airport.

But... I was impressed with the amount of detail included in the set, the price point ($30!!!), and the yellow Castle
shields to boot!!

My new World City needed a fire station, so I bought this. The set does have some similarity with 6478, but it's much better and not as juniorized. The set is functional but lacks detail that would have added to the set (bottom office needs a chair, garage needs a rolling door (gate is weak), middle (or 2nd floor) is just a wall without office space, and stairs to the 2nd floor would have been nice). The 3rd floor look-out section is nicely detailed inside with computers, keyboard, and lights; just a little too narrow. I don't mind the pole at all that adds to the playability, and I like the windows, door, and smoked-roof slants. Lastly, the fire truck/car isn't too bad, just lacks doors. A real fire truck with extending ladder would be better. Figs are nice and the set provides a lot of accessories. I like the modular/sectional construction w/separate instructions. But as always, nix the stickers.

Overall, at $30, this sets offers a lot of playability and good pieces making it a good value. I would probably buy again but still prefer the 80s stations better (like 6382/6385) - but then again, I'm still adjusting to these new, more modern sets.

http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/6478-1.jpg
Just look at the similarities! LEGO is truly taking a step in the right direction - backwards.

PROS:
+ Less stylized pieces; the only new pieces are USEFUL ones, such as the new bumper piece and the 1x1 slopes.
+ Retro set; even the old fire symbol is recycled
+ Four minifigs, $30.
+ Lots of minifig accessories
+ Nice baseplates
CONS:
- Car has no doors
- The pole is awkward and overdone
- The gate is a bit wobbly
- The upper window 'ledge' is awkward

Truly a return to old practices, though. BUY IT!