Mattel Elite Range

Maybe I missed the boat. But I've been buying the Hotwheels std. editions for a couple of years. Primarily older models. AutoArt & Kyosho when I want a special version.

Today, the Std. Hotwheels 599 came. I was very disappointed to find Hood & Boot are plastic (as is the underside). The paint from the doors to the hood are different. I check another I recently bought....SuperAmerica and it's plastic too. Dang. What "level" do I need to purchase to get the 80%+ metal again? What year/models did the change occur to prevent future disappointments?

And thanks for the heads-up on the Ikea case. I'll check them out. I have one large case from Pulaski that has glass shelves & a mirror back & sliding front glass door with 4 1:18 models comfortable next to each other, 5 in a pinch.

 

Also stay away from the standard "economy" F430 Challenge.It is ridiculous how Ferrari even let them get away with such a rip off.The hoods are plastic.There is no engine-just some one piece plastic molding which is out of proportions and poorly painted.There is no roll cage and no parts under the roof at all.There isn't even any "glass" between the engine compartment and the interior.It is a total POS.They even changed the boxes,as now they don't have the model name printed on them but they are generic and they just put little stickers in one corner with the model's name.

 

My two cents....stay away from the entry level Hot Wheels FXX. I bought a black one and it is terrible.

 

the big question is will the Elite models have metal hoods/doors/trunks/boots/bonnets with matching paint and also adress all the issues that you've all brought up with the base models?

 

Got a link to these?!?!

 

So far the "elite" models have been quite good in those regards.The only thing(or two) is that Mattel's designers have questionable sense of proportions when it comes to the smaller details.The F430 and 599's wheels,the 250 GTO's engine and the FXX's seats are completely out of wack.The other thing is that you can not convince me that they should cost same as Kyoshos which are all limited to 5000 pieces and are waaaaaaaayyyyyy better quality.

 

That's the consensus on the Elite versions?
So there's the answer. No more Entry Level or Elite Hotwheels. Time to switch to Kyosho.


Anybody have a ballpark on the year/models that we lost the all-metal body panels?

 

+1
Elite is the best way to go, Very poorly done IMO.

 

Sigh...no 275 GTS...

 

EXOTO have been publishing it in their catalog for ever as "coming soon".Apparently "soon" can have more than one meaning.
I feel like a donkey with a carrot hanging from a stick in front of my face,with them.

 

Hi John,
great display... do they also sell the glass shelves apart from the display case? I need to change my display and am thinking about this solution...

Bob

 

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=17071&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=76519&langId=-1&categoryId=15963&chosenPartNumber=00093136


I searched the site and could not find it, so I googled "bertby" and above is the result.

Unfortunately, can't buy online, and "not available" in stock at the 2 stores near me...

 

+1
I´ll buy it too and i think the same thing it is TOO poor in quality,in two words: it´s ugly.

 

I fell to an impulse purchase. The stores here do not carry 1/18th Ferrari Hot Wheels so when my dealer brought in a black one I just bought it. When I opened it at home I realized how poor the quality was.

The sad thing (and I can't believe I am admitting this!) is that I paid $42 CDN.....when Elites were costing me $70CDN.....worth every bit of the $28 premium compared to the entry level.

 

most glass shops should be able to cut similar shelves for you if you bring them one as a sample. in that size, they should be no more than $10-12 per shelf.

 

I had a chance to see the Elite series 599 GTB in Silver a couple days ago at the Mattel Toy Store. To be honest, I was really disappointed in its detail, in fact it looked rather sloppy. For anyone that want to know they were being sold for $69.99, there were even a couple that got their packaging crushed & marked down to $49.99. Even at that price I wouldn't buy it. Give it a couple months & they will clearing them out at $14.99.

 

I needed the pins after having some extra glass cut. I looked everywhere to no avail. But what works very well...cut the head & point off a 6-D Bright common nail. Leave yourself 1" of the shank. Perfect. if you are inclinded, you can also use heat-shrink tube to protect the glass end of your new pin.

 

So what you are saying
is that the Mattel "Elite"
Models are still not worth
the extra money.

I was getting ready to
purchase about 6 to 8
Mattel "elite" models.


Please advise . . . Thanks.

 

I have to disagree.... In my personal opinion, the HW Elites are very nice looking and if you want to spend the extra money, than the Super Elites are awesome in detail, just under the Exoto's, BBR, and CMC Ferraris. What I'm trying to say, don't let someone influence you on you're decsion. You should at lease buy one and see if you like the level of detail and then chose not to buy them or add more to your collection. I have several of them and about four of the Super Elite Ferraris and I'll be adding more of them.... I'm happy!

Rob

 

Well said - I couldn't agree more. Don't buy something based on what your buddy has, or popular opinion (models or anything else, for that matter) - buy it because you like it and the price point is a good value to you.

 

I agree with the last two statements but just to a point.The 599 and the Superamerica are worth the money for the Elite if you want anything reasonable in detail and quality. However, paying $70 for "Elite" F50 is plain waste of money.
The testarossa is somewhere in the middle of the above two situations.
I think the best thing to do is to find someone who has the models you are interested in and check them out for yourself and then make the decision on your own.
Just my 2cents

 

Trying to deide for myself about Elite quality based on the posts here leads me to believe that some are pretty good and others are less so. I am having trouble believing (but want to) that the Super Elites are even close to a
BBR. I would hope that an Elite comes closeto being a Kyosho level of quality, but if they use some of the basic molds as the Econo-line (for example, the Daytona), the Elites are just non starters as there are too many glaring flaws.
I've already pre-ordered an Elite and Super Elite Mondial, so we'll see what happens.