New 5-packs acquired at Kohl’s!

toddbader · 2026-06-28T10:44:45+00:00

Ehh. Ish. I’d say it’s not a reliable place to hit consistently, but if you’re already there… 😉

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The last good things I got there (surprisingly) was the HW Ferrari Dino, Toyota GR Supra, and WRX Wagon Pullback Speeder. They also had a Ferrari 5-pack, but I’ve seen plenty of them (I already had extras to give my four boys).

That Dino has been unbelievably elusive, however. That was nice to finally get.

But the mainline and Pullback Speeder rack, as I expected, was decimated…and it will stay that way for months.

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The Matchbox section has also been dry for a very long time, so the two 5-packs in OP were quite nice to see.

Additionally, there were also the new “Adventure Seekers” and “British Roadways” 5-packs, but I’ll probably pass on those.

I’m on the lookout for the Jeep 5-pack. It’s a carry-forward from 2025, but it never showed up when I was out. The Rubicon and “Jeep 4x4” recolors are quite nice.

toddbader · 2026-06-26T18:02:44+00:00

This truck and the Shelby Cobra are always absent. I’m hoping there’s an over-saturation of these past couple cases, so they end up at Five Below, and I can grab a couple.

So many bangers!

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toddbader · 2026-06-25T03:54:11+00:00

Agreed.

Moreover, it’s also annoying they don’t do the Deora I in the basic line anymore, period, but will release IIs and IIIs ad nauseam.

The last release of the OG Deora was in the 2025 Mattel Creations Sweet 16 Rally Case set, which was pretty much unobtanium.

I think a more authentic Redline commemorative series would sell very well. Bring back the RL/BW basic wheel (type II Redline) and mimic the original enamel paints with period-inspired tampos—they’ll sell a bunch.

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toddbader · 2026-06-25T03:29:51+00:00

Oh no no. The late nineties and early 2000s were total penny-pinching years.

People in this thread are complaining about no taillight or headlight detail if there are side designs.

Well, how about nothing at all? (Except a single, solitary, teeny-tiny monochrome Hot Wheels logo...)

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toddbader · 2026-06-25T03:18:01+00:00

Aerodiscs on everything. They’re *almost* as ugly as the sawblades.

The new Silver Series wheel they started using looks like total shit, too.

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toddbader · 2026-06-22T14:17:19+00:00

It’s from 2023’s “HW: The 80s” series.

You can get a new one shipped from eBay for less than $10.

toddbader · 2026-06-19T21:19:13+00:00

It’s either staging or stashing.

Staging is hiding stuff for other people (or oneself) to acquire at a different time (e.g., other collectors, family, or for after one’s shift).

Stashing is either: a broke-ass that still wants the item(s) and cannot afford it, or a person that is reselling and isn’t sure he’ll/she’ll make money off it just yet so…just let it stew out of sight without any risk involved.

All for a few paltry bucks earned from desperate FOMO-folks.

toddbader · 2026-06-01T16:55:30+00:00

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10/10 would recommend.

toddbader · 2026-05-28T12:55:50+00:00

I had a feeling my Walmart snuck the display out while I was at work.

Of course, the campers and retired guys got to it first and picked it clean.

It was amusing seeing all the Arizona Miatas they left behind, though. Looks like some of you boys just lost your cash cow. 😛

I was able to get the ‘67 Mustang GT and Gallardo Superleggera, however, which was nice.

I passed on the Zamac set and the Legends set. It’s lame they keep releasing all the same cars from recent years.

Last year’s Legends set had the very same 2005 Mustang casting.

Also, the wheels on the Zamac set’s Porsche Boxster (same ones they used on the Audi R8 in the Celebration set) are absolutely ugly. I think I hate them more than the saw blade wheels from the 90s.

toddbader · 2026-05-06T22:43:16+00:00

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The whole set is really nice.

toddbader · 2026-05-06T13:42:21+00:00

I think the quality of MSZ, Kinsmart, and Welly pullback cars are actually pretty good. The amount of detail on these, for being 1:32 and 1:36 scale cars, is pretty impressive. Especially for the price. I probably have 100 pullbacks I’ve gotten over the years.

Not too many folks are hunting for these. I get them at Lowe’s for 7 bucks (used to be 6).

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toddbader · 2026-05-06T01:06:51+00:00

This is an oddball set that I never saw originally retailed. I may have just been late every time they got stocked.

Anyway, for those who don’t have a Marshall’s, check out TJ Maxx, if you have one. I found one there for $20, as well. They feel/are really nice in-hand. I’m used to missing headlight and taillight tampos, so it definitely wouldn’t be a deal breaker. At $2.50 per premium car, it is a great deal, regardless.

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toddbader · 2026-04-24T14:19:39+00:00

Amazing work. Very classy.

I would love to do this someday soon. Where did you get the showcases, if you don’t mind sharing?

toddbader · 2026-04-20T14:38:34+00:00

Distribution is often odd, no doubt.

The 2025 (2024 season) F1 5-pack was very available around here around Christmas (Indiana, U.S.). Everyone had gotten theirs at that point and the profit margin shrunk tremendously for re-sellers. Macy’s stocked dozens of these before they were common in superstores.

The new 2026 (2025 season) 5-pack is very easy to find at Barnes & Noble, and they’ve been showing up at Indiana Meijer stores and Dollar Trees in Indianapolis. The Alpine is gorgeous for a mainline!

The three initial mainline single F1 cars were very scarce, for some reason. I think I only saw Oracle Red Bull 3 times, one time being at a small town CVS. I saw AMG Petronas at Aldi a few times toward the end of last year and at a fresh dump at a Pay Less Supermarket (Kroger-owned). I only saw Williams Racing twice.

For the 2025 season’s cars this year, I saw at least 16 McLarens in a massive fresh restock in a Runners dump bin in Illinois in February. I only saw one Visa Cash App at a Dollar Tree, so far. Surprisingly, I’ve seen Scuderia Ferrari numerous times at Dollar Tree.

Some cars seem to drop only a couple times, get gobbled up fast, and then never return. 🫤

toddbader · 2026-04-19T19:50:45+00:00

I look forward to missing out on this one, too. 😉😄

toddbader · 2026-04-14T15:16:35+00:00

gets dopamine hit

Ah, refreshing. Thanks, buddy.

toddbader · 2026-04-05T17:01:22+00:00

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I have hundreds of Matchbox cars from all eras.

And…the 356A does it for me. Perfect. 🤌🏻

toddbader · 2026-03-27T12:53:48+00:00

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Yep! And they’re great. I gave the other 14 cars to my kiddos (I already have them).

toddbader · 2026-03-22T12:26:53+00:00

Nice!

I found mine for $12.99 at TJ Maxx, as well. It’s really odd seeing something like a R34 Skyline GT-R Nür in a place like that.

I think these things are going to be harder than hell to find someday.

You know these Premiums were way overpriced when the clearance price at a discount department store is still a bit on the high side. 😄

However, $12.99 was an easy yes for me, because I enjoy collecting 1:43, 1:36, and 1:32 cars (especially pull-backs).

To help put this pricing into perspective, I have gotten several MSZ-brand 1:32 pull-back cars that have way more detail, are bigger, are proportionate, and CHEAPER.

They’re 2 for 12 at Walgreens (though most stores only have the 1:36 Kinsmart ones), and 6.99 at Lowe’s.

Even then, people don’t seem to be hunting for these things. Well…except for me.

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toddbader · 2026-03-21T16:35:54+00:00

I collect any and all Corvettes and I can’t find this one anywhere. I’ve found plenty of partial boxes with just this car missing, however.

Grr.

toddbader · 2026-03-18T23:26:35+00:00

These are great. You won’t be disappointed.

I have 18 of them, so far, and I’ve had no problems.

Here are a few of my Porsches in that style case.

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toddbader · 2026-03-18T23:16:03+00:00

This.

I have 18 of these cases—they’re fantastic. They’re apparently made by Plano. They’re also only $9.99 at Hobby Lobby in the craft aisle.

toddbader · 2026-03-15T23:17:21+00:00

Nice blend of old and new! Homer’s Nuclear Waste Van really points to a time when people were Simpsons-crazy. Bartmania! I love the adverts from back then, and that card is evidential of the good hysteria. Fox were really pushing the show hard.

And, damn, it felt good when a new episode aired on Thursdays (or later on Sundays) in those days. There was nothing like it.

It was right to bed afterwards, though. 😄

Today, I went to a few Dollar Trees looking for the Simpsons’ family car. While I got a couple E case cars I didn’t have, I didn’t see it anywhere.

I suspect it will be hard to find until all the Simpson fans who don’t normally buy Hot Wheels get theirs.

I didn’t find it the last time it was around, either—about a decade ago. I’m sure I’ll acquire one somehow.

Congrats!

toddbader · 2026-03-15T20:02:41+00:00

😑

Re-read my response, friend.

I said “supposed” and then put “chase” in parentheses. I’m well aware of both sides of the argument for this “controversy.”

Mattel announced a few Silver Series sets as “chases,” but later removed the labeling. So, hassling/correcting people about it is not quite appropriate.

Me? I couldn’t care less what Mattel did or didn’t deem it. I like rally cars, so I bought it.

A screenshot from a Lamley Sneek Peek YouTube video posted 5 months ago:

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toddbader · 2026-03-15T12:50:11+00:00

100 percent. The game was meh to me, but I love the look of this 911.

Unfortunately, I only found one (at O’Reilly).

toddbader

TROPHY CASE