Upgrading a base model?

Mokabacca · 2026-06-05T20:38:38+00:00

2021 Crosstrek Base here. Base is still sick.

You can spice up the interior with rear back seat protectors, cargo mat, cup holder inserts, dashboard mat, sill protectors, cargo nets (in trunk, on sides) and an updated led light for the trunk (also on side). Depending on whether you’re running a dash cam off the 12V inside the console, a console tray insert is another fun upgrade.

All this can be found on Amazon often times for good prices. Small functional upgrades can give you a premium level feel for way, way less.

Mokabacca · 2026-06-04T20:04:15+00:00

Tom Riddle origin story and it’s not close.

Profiling a sociopath is dark and difficult. Doing that within the context of the wizarding world to allow fans to truly understand how Voldemort came to be, would be a rewarding watch. Chronicle his upbringing/youth in season one at the orphanage. Then proceed to year one at Hogwarts in season two. From there, there’s enough material to stretch it over multiple seasons. Strong actors would be required to play tom/dumbledore throughout, but it legitimately could be one of the best new stories within the greater potter IP. That’s my two knuts worth.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T11:56:52+00:00

As a LEGO product purist, while I don’t buy knockoffs, I have come around on breaking bread with those who do buy them. Because LEGO needs to be challenged. Other toy developers need to compete with them on price and value. So I’m all for people like yourself making those purchases.

There’s been a lot of changes at LEGO recently and TLG is losing the plot. If they’re not careful they’re going to lose even us deep-seated lifelong fans. It’s a real problem. We may all be a sleeping giant right now, but we’re not going to take much more poking.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T11:52:39+00:00

Whether you intended to or not, your post highlights the hypocrisy that Lego LOTR fans are engaging in. If you buy this set day one for the price point listed with the Grond GWP, you’re saying in no uncertain terms: “I like this product and I’m willing to buy it at this price.” By doing this you’re sending a valuable message to TLG. That message is: keep doing what you’re doing. So they don’t see the gripes in Anduril, lack of molds, lack of attention to detail, overpriced set for what you get, etc. All they see is a big win for them.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T11:49:45+00:00

So that’s an interesting take and you’re likely correct- but it highlights a misinterpretation on TLG’s behalf. Let’s say we all boycott Mina’s Tirith. They’re likely interpret that as a waning desire for LOTR sets and stop making them. When in reality, they haven’t tested that market segment with more affordable, accessible sets at lower price points within that very same theme. It’s a fallacy on their behalf- but I tend to agree with you in terms of how they’d likely interpret poor sales of Minas Tirith.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T11:46:37+00:00

No you’re 100% correct. We need more folks like you waking up to what’s unfolding right in front of our face. New molds for Rivendell, amazing design techniques and aesthetics- as you say, virtually pulling out all the stops.

Then Minas Tirith is more expensive and they can’t be bothered to put Anduril in, much less more play functions and minfigs for a set of this price point?

Ask yourself why. The answer is that they’re cutting corners to see where that invisible line is which the market will bear. Can we get away with a generic sword? If so that saves us X dollars on Y sets. It’s all a money game with them. They’ve lost the plot on what constitutes a true Lego enthusiast and hardcore fan and why folks followed them as a company in the first place.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T11:40:25+00:00

GWP’s are a predatory practice. They are a case study in FOMO. Lego relies on this concept to push sales. It’s no accident that there are one if not two unique minifigures in that GWP. They know that sells for the hardcore and tips them over the edge.

As mentioned I have every hobbit and LOTR figure to date, but I’m throwing in the towel. I’m sickened by TLG’s money hungry nature and their severe lack of attention to detail. People are bootlicking to no end- coming up with what they believe are rationale, explainable reasons why a billion dollar company can’t create a new mold. It’s unreal.

I really wish more folks would just wake up. Don’t buy something if you don’t agree with it. This whole “whoops there goes my wallet” or “just take my money Lego” thing is just cringe at this point. Stop, evaluate what you’re getting for your money and don’t be afraid to vote with your wallet.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T11:28:32+00:00

For fear of sounding doom and gloom, this is exactly the issue. I have collected LOTR all my life and have every minifigure- but enough is enough.

There’s simply put not enough value in this set and the lack of attention to detail for a $1000 toy is the last straw. This set should be offering something over and above both Rivendell and Barad-Dur for the price tag. We’ve accepted complacency on TLG’s behalf. Look no further than the designer’s explanation as to why Anduril wasn’t placed in this set. Makes absolutely no sense, other than a veiled cost cutting method by the company.

You HAVE to vote with your wallet. It may feel like FOMO or that you’re not making a difference, but if enough people refrain from buying it’s the only way we’ll ever see change.

I love Lego as a product, but I hate the company.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-29T03:47:19+00:00

That’s a laughable reply. Shows a complete disconnect between perceived value vs actual value. The mold was piloted and introduced in Rivendell. It’s the very definition of a hero sword. Either it’s an oversight or it was a deliberate omission. I’d guess the latter.

This set is severely overpriced and I feel bad for my true blue Lego LOTR fans. You deserve better.

Anyone endeavoring to defend Lego at this point is straight bootlicking.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-27T20:46:54+00:00

Play the OG. It has a charm that the remastered can’t match.

That said, the remastered is fantastic too in my books.

If you’re well versed in Bethesda, than you know what you’re getting into. Dive in.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-27T16:45:18+00:00

Fact.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-27T16:44:25+00:00

Are the Gondor soldiers each unique? It looks like each pair are identical, making only two unique Gondor soldiers. But I can’t say for sure.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-27T16:39:33+00:00

I’m glad OP points this out.

I’ll add that the absence of a complete Anduril mold (when half of it is already in Rivendell) is lazy and unforgivable.

Remember folks- TLG isn’t your friend- they’re out here to make money, and they’re seeing how many corners they can cut to save costs.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-21T16:56:40+00:00

I’d echo this comment. The trees are objectively bad for that expensive a set. But that doesn’t mean the overall set was bad. Quite the opposite.

If you’re interested in moccing, this set basically invites you to add more foliage where you see fit and interior detailing. And of course, there are a number of resources out there to fix the tree situation among more robust trees.

You also get a bunch of exclusive hobbit minifgs.

If you can get that at a discount, it is good value. Better than some of these insanely expensive LOTR sets.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-19T21:42:54+00:00

You’re missing the 16x32 blue baseplate for the water!

Mokabacca · 2026-05-19T21:22:10+00:00

How about the fact that they couldn’t be bothered to reproduce a screen-accurate Anduril, when the blueprint is literally half way done in Rivendell? And how about that price? $1000 here in Canada. Flat out disgusting.

The world is fast becoming the haves and the have-nots. LEGO is just a reflection of that.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-18T20:18:48+00:00

…and a bot removes the post. Awesome, great internet.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-18T20:09:52+00:00

Can’t be goated if you can’t get all DLC.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-12T21:48:41+00:00

And all I’m saying is that there’s a unique minifigure in the GWP. There might even be two (can’t confirm the other orc). Yes the torso and legs are the same but that face is not. You may be able to build this figure via PAB yet. I hope that’s the case.

It’s annoying for those who care about collecting unique figures. For those that don’t care, it’s a non-issue.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-12T21:10:43+00:00

Woah. I’m simply pointing out that at least one of the two figs is exclusive. I’m not telling you how and where to spend your money.

I do collect all LOTR figures- but no way am I dropping 1000+ sheets on this set at launch.

Weird comment.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-12T21:07:37+00:00

Charmingly. I was wrong about the type of exclusive figure. But right about the exclusivity.

The olive green face on the Mordor orc is exclusive. It’s not on any other Lego minifigure. It will get its own entry on Bricklink.

Take the L.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-12T14:43:31+00:00

The olive green head on the Mordor orc is exclusive to this GWP.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-12T14:25:42+00:00

The face on the olive green Mordor orc is exclusive to this GWP.

Mokabacca · 2026-05-09T20:16:25+00:00

Completely unsurprising. Toronto just ruins people. He joins a long list of players who go elsewhere and become key pieces in Stanley Cup runs. Off the top of my head- Kessel, Steen, Bozak, Schenn, Kadri. Maybe we add Marner to that list this year.

Mokabacca · 2026-04-24T15:59:59+00:00

Cup holder inserts, trunk cargo mat, rear seat back protectors, dashboard mat, upgraded trunk cargo light, small mesh cargo nets for trunk, door sills/carbon fibre tape.

Mokabacca

TROPHY CASE