Elite 288 GTO

Not bad for Hot Wheels.

 

Look at the rear lights...something is missing

And the interior leaves a bit to be desired... here is a recent eBay auction w/nice photos:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330193507718

 

They messed up on the tail lamps. You have different ones on both ends!

 

I have the same one and at least for me, the quality and the detail is awesome...the detail in the motor is unique...

 

I don't understand why Hotwheels uses the rear wheels from the F-40. They have a deep dish, deeper than the front wheels. On the real car they have the same lip , front and back.
?????

 

Your right, the F40 had MUCH wider rear tires then the GTO.

 

Cheeper than re-tooling

 

I just checked the rear lamps on mine and they don't do that, it's just an error.

 

They didn't need to retool anything. Just fit 4 front wheels and tires from the F40.

By the way this model does not give you anything more than a BBurago with some detail painting.
The dash is a monstrosity.
I personally like the deep dish wheels but they are incorrect. I still love the way they look though.

 

If you want a pefect model, buy handbuilt, but don't bash items for a small mistake that most people can afford

 

I am not sure if this is directed towards me, but here is what I have to say.
I am sick and tired of people being accused of "bashing" this and that, when all we are doing is discussing models. Also your statement makes no sense whatsoever, since a BBurago model would cost you like a quarter of a Mattel Elite.
What I have always tried to do in this forums is actually help people no to get ripped off. And this is exactly what Hot Wheels are doing with some of their models.

 

I respectfully disagree. I personally like some of the Elites very much and other ones not at all. Some of them just make no sense.
Here are some examples.
The FXX and the 430 challenge are great. Not perfect, but really good.
The F50 and the 288 GTO don't make sense since they cost a lot more than the Economy models, but are essentially no different.
Then there is the Lusso (which I just got yesterday) and the 599 which I have mixed feelings about. The 599 is a great model and then you look at the wheels and tires and you are like WTF? It could be perfect if they just proportioned the wheels right.
The Lusso IMO is worse in Elite version than in Economy. THe engine bay is like a chinese Christmas tree. Bunch of colors that make no sense. They tried to make the wheels better by using Photoetched spokes, but their quality is really poor and then come the tires. The rears are bigger than the front (incorrect) and their overall size is wrong. I don't get it since the original model they came out with for 1/3 the price had the correct tires. All they had to do is leave the engine bay all black (it would have been cheaper actually) and use the tires they already had. I don't get it. It is like you can feel they are made with no desire whatsoever. It is like going to a house decorated with tons of money and no taste.
Too bad collectors have no choice but HW.

 

I agree, I like the look of the deeper rear wheels, but it's not correct for the car. I wouldn't want to buy 2 cars to correct this mistake.

 

You don't need to by two cars. Just take the spares out of an F40 and a GTO and use them for the rear wheels on your model. That is assuming that you also have an F40. And it would not ruin your model as most F40 cars actually did not carry spares.

 

I think he was pointing at me And that's fine...I am a builder and can tell you that handbuilts aren't perfect either. I just feel if someone calls a diecast "Elite" it should be a step above in most respects, not a way to tweek the model and get 3 times the price. It's not fair to the consumer.

My comments are only made to bring up things I see that can use improvement and if possible the ones reading will be more aware of these things...that's all.

 

+1
I was trying to do the same thing. I believe that the more "educated" people become about models, the more they can affect the manufacturer's build standard. After all, ultimatelly it is the demand that controls the production. Or at least that's the way it should be.

 

The staggered wheels do look kinda cool even if incorrect. You get the basic idea of the GTO from the model. I've seen worse models. This one looks nice to me.

 

Got one of these coming from Ebay...