Speaking of random Hot Wheels Super finds...

Well, that was fun...

The scalping article yesterday spurred a few comments, to say the least.  It got a little ugly at times, and it seemed that no one was spared at least a little vitriol, but lost in some of that were some great comments about all aspects of the hunt, whether they like how collectors like Joe hunt or not.  And whether you like Joe or not, I give him credit for working with me on the piece, considering he knew more than a few darts would be thrown his way.  And yikes, they kept coming.

I think it is totally fair to not like what Joe aka @diecast_hunter does.  Whether I am for what he does or not, it doesn't really matter.  It surely is not for ME to do it that way.  There will always be folks who have the desire and time to create a strategy, head out at night, and hit as many stores as they can.  And we can't control what they do with those models.  Anyone can do it, if they want to create a schedule conducive to it.  Right or wrong, that is part of the hobby, and I thought it would be worth exploring.  I think it was.

But I hope everyone read far enough to see that I am much more in favor of the random find.  I personally think it is more fun.  I don't have the time, nor have the desire, to do a series of overnight hunts.  I don't want to know when bins hit.  Supers are not remotely worth that time or effort in my opinion.  I like stopping into a store and coming across that surprise find.  It makes it fun, and not at all a task.

Having said that, how strange was it that on the day I talked about my preferred method of hunting vs the "scalping" method, that I walk into a random Dollar Tree in Heber, Utah, and find pegs that look like this:

And after looking down the first column and up the second, in the second-to-last row I discover this:

A random Super find!  Only my second Super find of 2016, and a mere 4 days after my first find of 2016, a green Dodge Daytona at a rural Utah Walmart.

And it is the Acura NSX, one that I have wanted to find and thought that window had closed.  I have one that I was able to acquire from a friend for the loose collection, but this one is just a little sweeter since I found it in the store.  And plus, I don't open the store-found Supers, because I like to document where, when, and how I found it.

And this one is a sweet one.  I really love the on-the-pegs finds, and I especially love the non-Walmart or Target finds.  The more random the better.  That is why my Nova Wagon Super find in a small market in Blanding, Utah remains my favorite Super find ever.  Go look up Blanding.  It is remote.

And of course, finding two Supers in four days after not finding any during the first 6 months of 2016 makes the story even better.  Not to mention I found this one on the day I had to duck firebombs thrown my way because I was featuring a "scalper".

Am I doing this to gloat?  Not at all.  I am sharing my find, which is part of the deal.  This is just why I MUCH prefer the random find.  It makes for a story.  Think about how many times you hear the "random find" story.  "The wife sent me for milk, and I wasn't even going to check the toy aisle.  I am glad I did!"  Or "This Walmart never stocks, but I stopped by anyway.  Of all the days, it was hanging right in front!"

Supers frankly work because they are random.  Some say Supers should be a mail-in.  How many of you would buy 20 cars to mail the cards and a check for shipping and handling to get a Bad Mudder Super in return?  Not many of you.  But what if you find a Bad Mudder Super on a random stop at Target?  You'd scoop it right up.  Why are we seeing photos of the 2016 Boombox all of a sudden?  Because it is a Super.  People aren't buying Supers because of the casting or because they sit on Real Riders.  If that was the case every Hot Wheels premium line would sell out in seconds.  It is because you have to be lucky to find a Super.

Unless of course you make finding Supers a top priority.  All you need is a strategy and a lot of nights.  And if you do, more power to you.

I will just enjoy the random, like I did yesterday...


My last two Super finds:

The random Super find collection now:

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Don't let the Honda Odyssey and Beatles Sub distract from the rest of the goodness in Hot Wheels Batch L...

Hot Wheels Batch L has been all about two models so far: The Honda Odyssey and Beatles Yellow Submarine.  And rightfully so.  Both are models that came completely out of right field, and both are done exceptionally well.

But the rest of Batch L is no slouch.  The Forza Motorsport '16 Camaro SS adds to the long legacy of Hot Wheels Camaros, and it surprises me a bit to be happy to see another one.  The Camaro has taken a back seat to some other models these days, but it is still nice to see another.  And this one is super nice.

And it goes on.  Another '07 Mustang, a casting I have always been fond of.  Recolors in white of the both the Ford Escort and Acura Integra (LOVE the white Integra!).  A fantastic release of the Lambo Sesto Elemento, which should always sport eye-popping colors like this.  And a recolored Raptor that looks a lot different than the previous version.

That is a fair amount of models for collectors, all things considering.  Go for the Odyssey, stay for the Camaro...

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First Look: 2015 Hot Wheels '90 Acura NSX...

We have promised to try and hold off full judgement on the brand new Hot Wheels NSX until we had it in hand.

If you remember, when images first leaked of the NSX, we were less than impressed, but it became obvious by the response we saw on the blog, Facebook, and Instagram, that we were definitely in the minority.   Most of you just ate this up.  You loved the aggressive stance, the detail, and the added modifications.

We read all the comments, and were almost convinced our shoulder-shrugging reaction may have been a little harsh.  We might have been coming around.

But...

Here it is, and it just doesn't do it for us.  It falls in the "what could have been" pile.  Sure, it is far more stock than the previous modded-out NSX, and definitely an improvement.  And we like that it has front and rear tampos to go along with its signature red color.  And yes, we like that it exists, and we will surely add it to the collection.

But why the large rear wheels?  Same-sized PR5 wheels all around would have balanced this out so much better.  And why the Type R details on the rear and rear wing?  First off, the Type R wasn't released in 1990, so the name of the model actually is wrong.  But we could forgive that if the wheels were equal size.  That is our biggest qualm with this one.

Now maybe you young tikes like your 1990 NSX more aggressive like is depicted in the Hot Wheels version, but those of us who ogled over the NSX when our friend Tori's dad bought one back in the day don't need it more aggressive.  That flat nose and kick-ass spoiler and tail-light shape was all we needed.  That sweeping line from the front all the way back to the spoiler was just so cool, and didn't need to be touched.

But the Type R spoiler takes away from that, as does the large rear wheel well on this one.  It is just too bad.  We don't need Hot Wheels to do to the NSX what George Lucas later did to the first three Star Wars movies.  No need for improvement.

So are we happy this exists?  Sure.  But for a model that was easily our #1 most anticipated release for 2015, it is a bummer.  We will have to look forward to the 180SX and hope in the back of our minds hope that TLV decides to tackle the NSX in the future.

If you like it, we have no problem with that (and you can get it right now at Wheel Collectors).  We hope you don't have a problem with our opinion either...


Hot Wheels '90 Acura NSX (2015 New Models):

The two monsters of 2015:

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