The guide is in five sections:
1) Updates & Rumors
A) Introduction
B) The Duel Packs
C) The Individual Cars
D) Old Intro with vartious information
1.) Update as of 7/27: Well as most of you know Yeti and Tongue McQueen and Bug Mouth McQueen, also Cruisin Ramone are available. Also the Dinoco Helicopter Palyset (we warned you this was coming) with Mater figure is out and a larger more full scale version of Red.
The Helicopter Playset is selling for around 25-40 on ebay right now and Red is pulling in a little more (he is slightly harder to find).
Bug Mouth right now is the easiest to find and will probably hover around the $10-15 dollar mark on Ebay for a while, until it drops to list price. This past weekend he was still selling for $15. My wife actually found several at our new local Walmart. They are hard to distinguish from the regular McQueens (like the Dirt Track Mcqueen's) . So make sure you check all the stock, sorting through the limitless Sally and Sherrif pieces.
Yeti is going for average about $20-30, and seems to be the flavor of the month right now.
Tongue McQueen is going for about $15-25. This one should plummet soon.
Like all his "brothers before him" Cruisin Ramone should be had for less than $10, if not now just be patient and he will be cheap.
RPM and Tex are staying hot, as both are still demanding double digits some days, its funny how fluid the market is though, as I saw Tex going for $15 at the start of last week and for list price this weekend.
In May I posted a lot of rumors I had heard, for entertainment purposes and because I believe most will come to pass. I have indeed seen production picture models for the much anticipated Dale. Jr, the Blimp, and Cutlass. I still have my doubts on Jr. but I have seen a whole lot of pictures...we will see.
One Major rumor I threw out there was the story I heard about Cars 2 . I saw a list of the next three Pixar theatrical releases they are slated to be: A robot flick Wall-E ( You've probably seen the preview/tease before the latest Pixar movie)..Up a coming of age tale about a boy and his grandad and....Toy Story 3 slated for a 2009 or 2010 release. When asked about sequals to the other Pixar franchises in an interview a rep said they were "really not into sequals but they had a great idea for a new Toy Story". I think this may slow down talk of Cars 2 but they siad nothing about a big straight to video release. However, this would be unlike Pixar since they have not done a video only release yet.
New Material ends here. My family has just recently moved, so sorry that the info is not flowing as fast. I lost some contacts with the move, it will take some time to get back in the grove, update when I can thanks!
T.N.
Here is May's update
The big news for today is that I have confirmed from more than one source that they are in fact planning a Dale Jr. car (this is a shocker to me I was wrong on this one) and all the cars we have been rumoring for months, they are also doing Mario, Rusty, and Bug Faced McQueen, Bob Cutlass, and one that we had not rumored a Blimp.
Tounge McQueen and Yeti are here as is a new Red Rimmed Hudson Hornet is not as hot as I though it would be luckily. Another rumored car The Red and White Ramone known "Cruisin" Ramone could be out soon.
The big rumor though is that there is a sequal a "Cars 2"on the way, although I have not confirmed this. It would make sense but I would predict a straight to video sequal. This is huge news for Cars collectors because the craze will just keep on going.
I have also been told that new playsets are on their way, what could they be? How about Sarge's, The Cozey Cone or City Hall? Well one answer is certain one playset will be a Dinoc Helicopter!
I really thought this thing was slowing down but with a new movie rumored well that changes this game a little.
For those of you looking for more information, or a contact, a really good source can be emailed. I cannot link to a non ebay site, but here is his ebay member name: virtual (then type an underscore) king0714. He also can be contacted via email at virtual (no space) king@ yahoo.com. This guy lives breathes and dreams Cars. If your into the cars or having a hard time finding something, this guy can help, he is very connected, and intrested in helping famalies finish their collections.
As far as the pricing goes be patient the Bling Bling McQueen is already dropping price wise as are Red Ramone, and even Ferari.Now Blue Chick is going to be a different story as cases indicate that once again the "Chickster" will be a hard catch for the second summer in a row. Tex and RPM should be hard to find for a little longer and will probably go for more than retail for another month or so. Yeti and Tongue will be hard items for a while, but since Tongue is what I call a "repaint", another version of an exsisting vehicle, he will not stay more than retail for long. As far as the Yeti he may be a tough find at first but most of the "non cars" Pixar vehicles like Hamm, Buzz, Woody etc....have not stayed hot for long and are easily found in a couple of months. The Red Rimmed Hudson Hornet is not really catching on thankfully but, (pause for personal soap box moment....oh man I hope mattel is not going to start this limited edition mess. That will destroy the fun. When they start doing that it becomes crazy, thats when the adult toy collectors will descend like locusts on the market. Lets all pray this is a simple one time deal. Kids will be satisfied with one Hudson Hornet they will not care about different color tires, I mean they may think its cool but my 4 year old only plays with one Ramone the others sit in the treasure chest. I would much rather see new vehicles enough with the repaints) the red rimmer will be sought after by collectors mainly and will probably be a tough find for a while.
One problem many of you who are looking for the new cars is that the old ones are not clearing the shelves fast enough for the new ones to be placed. For example, our local Walmart has literaly dozens of Sherifs, Sallys, McQueens, and others on the shelf and there is nowhere to put the new cases of cars. This would give the advantage to collectors who live in locations where all the cars sell. For example cities like Pheonix, Nashville, Dallas, Boston even moderate sized cities like Huntsville, AL are tough markets for cars but small towns are literaly crawling with cars.
Below are rumors from the previous update
As of now I have no word of any new duel packs, although as reported here months ago, there is a strong rumor that a Tia and Mia 2 pack will be out. The other part of the rumor is that they will be Target exclusives. I hope thats not true. I have also heard that Darrell Cartrip, and Bob Cuttlass will be coming out as Target ecxclusives.
A) Introduction
Below is the most extensive checklist you will find on Cars (hot wheels type diecast) made by Mattel. I have updated the guide today 5/09/07. I have also edited the review to be more quick reference and have not added the price guide for the new cars. The market is too fluid. One day a Philmore will go for $10 an hour later he is $3 so it all depends on the auction, but I left the old prices for those of us who like to remember the young days of the craze peek.
B) The Duel Packs: Theses are the double "Movie Moments" packs that have two cars, they are a little hard to find sometimes as they are not shipped as often as the singles. If you check the odd department stores like Kole's, Peebles, etc..you may bump into these.The lineup consists of the original 4,
Boost and Snot Rod going for as of 11/16 for $7-12 the easiest of the originals to find. 12/15 $7-9
Guido, Luigi, and Tractor going for as of 11/16 for $8-14 the hardest of the originals to find. 12/15 $7-9
Flo & Ramone going for as of 11/16 for $7-12 getting more scarce with time 12/15 $7-9
Red & the statue of Stanley going for as of 11/16 for $7-12 re-released with the new duel packs 12/15 $7-9
Sarge & Filmore going for as of 11/16 for around $8-12 helps those looking for Sarge for their kids 12/15 $7-9
Cruising Lightning & Sally going as of 11/16 for around $12-17 bringing the highest dollar 12/15 $7-9
Woody & Buzz, from the end credits of the movie. Going as of 11/28 for around $30-50 on ebay. These only stayed high in demand for a week or two 12/15 $7-9
Guido & Luigi Ferari Fans, fragile little pieces, probably not the best for kids not the easiest to find but not that tough.
Mike & Sully, from the end credits. Great pieces, also very small easier to find than the Kuigi and Guido.
C) Current Lineup of singles,
Yeti: Newest car reminds me of Sully. I do not think it will be a tough find for long
Tongue McQueen: Another "repaint" should be an easy find by July at least
Bug Mouth McQeen: A "repaint" that is already kind of easy to find
Red Rimmed Hornet: I hope this is not a trend, if your looking to complete the set I guess you need this but I hope Mattel does not start this mess of "limited or special tires".
Tex Dinaco: A nice piece, judging by the pictures, as I have not found one yet
Bling Bling McQueen: Yet another McQueen remake, in a month these will be crowding the shelves just like the other McQueens.
RPM: A new piston cup vehicle, not great looking but I am glad they are still making the race cars, these are my sons favorites to play with I hope they make more.
Red Ramone...yawn another Ramone only Blue left then they will have to come up with colors not from the movies.
Snot Rod (previously sold in a duel pack) Easy to find. I have seen this piece a couple of times.
Blue Chick: Nice looking piece possibly the best of the bunch. I predict this one will be the hardest to find
Ferari: New piece, not a repaint or a new version of an old character. Refreshing, but kind of boring as he looks like a red Sally.
Boost (previously sold in a duel packs): Same as above, easily had as most folks have this piece from the duel pack. Price as of 11/06: $3-5, 11/14: $3-5, 12/15 $1-4
Hudson Hornet: One of the new pieces. I have found him at a couple of small town stores. I think this will be a difficult piece to find for a while as the toy sellers have really started swipping these new pieces. Originaly selling for more than it is now. Price as of 11/06 $10-12, 11/14: $5-7, 12/15 $3-6
Radiator Springs Lightning: Not impossible to find at the store, this piece is also available in a new duel pack with Sally. Price as of 11/06: $12-15, 11/14: $15-20, 12/15 $2-5
Yellow Ramone: Easiest to find of the new pieces, you should be able to find him with a little effort. They keep making Ramones and thats fine but my kids dont really care for multiple color Ramones they want new vehicles. Price as of 11/06 $3-5, 11/14: $3-7. 12/15 $1-4
Brand New Mater: As of 11/22 Blue Mater is now on the shelves. There were loose versions floating around on ebay known as "Blue Mater" but they are from the bowling game or a special multi-pack that was briefly available after the movie release. Some of these have gone for up to $50....way too much. They are different than Brand New Mater as New Mater has a hood. Price as of 11/22 $20-30. The Brand New Maters are now coming in two a box 12/15 $1-4
Dirt Track McQueen ( previously available in Wiley's Butte playset): Very similar to original McQueen just "dirty" at the bottom. Price as of 11/30 $10-15 now 12/15 $2-6
Hamm: Hamm is the car form of the pig from Toy story, featured in the end credits of the movie He's not even advertised on the back of the other pieces right now. Price has started to drop a little Price as of 11/22 $25-40 11/28 $10-20 12/15 $5-7
The Second Wave
Leakless: May be on the verge of being the hardest to find and is brining the most on Ebay now. On our Disney trip I did not see a single Leakless. I have not seen a Leakless on the shelf in two months. Price as of: 8/07 $10-15, 9/07: $7-10, 10/01 $6-9, 11/14 $12-18 12/15 $3-5
Blue Dinoco Lightning McQueen: is also somewhat easy to find, you can expect to pay no more than cost for him on ebay. He was the first "new figure released" A lot of folks got dupped into paying way to much for him because he was new. Price as of: 8/07 $10-15 9/07 $4-8, 10/01 $4-6, 11/14 $3-5 12/15 $1-4
Green Ramone: It's somewhat surpirising how easy Green Ramone can be found at the store.A sign that kids like new vehicles not different colored old ones (although I personaly hope the Blue Ramone from the video short "Ghost Lights" will be made): He will go for cost on e-bay. Price as of: 8/07 $5-7, 9/07 $3-5, 10/01 $3-5, 11/14 $2-4 12/15 $1-4
Nitroaide: One of the first wave of "new cars", a slick piece that blends in with the other cars at the store. Price as of: 8/07 $15-20, 9/07 $10-15, 10/01 $5-7, 11/14 $5-7 11/30 $8-12 12/15 $1-4
The Originals
Original Lightning McQueen: known as "Red Lightning" is by far the easiest to find. This is because in each box of 30 vehicles nearly half were Red Lightning McQueen in the first months of shipping. They have since cut that down to a third. Price as of: 7/07 $7-9, 8/07 $3-5, 9/07 $1-4, 10/01 $1-3, 11/14 $1-4 12/15 $1-4
Mater: Mater can also be found relativly easily, although not as easy as Red McQueen. Price as of: 7/07 $7-9, 8/07 $3-5, 9/07 $2-6, 10/01 $5-6, 11/14 $3-5 12/15 $1-4
Sherrif: He is a very popular character. He can be found at the store as most of the older characters can. Price as of: 7/07 $10-15, 8/07 $10-15, 9/07 $3-5, 10/01 $3-5, 11/14 $3-5 12/15 $1-4
Filmore : Filmore is another moderatly easy to find piece. He is included in a new duel pack with Sarge. Price as of: 7/07 $12-18, 8/07 $10-15, 9/07 $ 6-9, 10/01 $5-6, 11/14 $3-5 12/15 $1-4
DJ: D.J. was a moderatly rare piece at first and then he became plentiful. Price as of: 7/07 $15-20, 8/07 $7-9, 9/07 $5-6, 10/01 $3-6, 11/14 $3-6. 12/15 $1-4
Doc Hudson: As time went on Mattel made less and less of Doc to the point where there was one a package before the new releases in November, this however was not noticed by collectors as his price stayed low. Price as of: 7/07 $10-15, 8/07 $7-9, 9/07 $5-7, 10/01 $5-6, 11/14 $5-6 12/15 $1-4
Sally: Included in a new duel pack, Sally was never too terribly hard to find Price as of: 7/07 $10-12, 8/07 $7-9, 9/07 $4-6, 10/01 $4-6, 11/14 $2-5 12/15 $1-4
Wingo: Sometimes overlooked at the store by the casual buyer because his character appears little in the film. Price as of: 7/07 $10-15, 8/07 $7-9, 9/07 $ 5-7, 10/01 $3-6, 11/14 $3-6 12/15 $1-4
King: He's based on legendary NASCAR racer Richard Petty. Wanted by kids, and NASCAR collectors. Price as of: 7/07 $7-12, 8/07 $6-10, 9/07 $5-7, 10/01 $5-7, 11/14 $3-6, 12/15 $3-5
Sarge: One of the prize pieces of the collection at first but not now. In the summer you pretty much had to have known the store manager to get him at the store, unless your there when the box opens. Now he and Lizzie are easier to find. My theory is that the adult toy e-sellers have driven the price down by buying up every Sarge and Lizzie they see, then turning around and selling them on ebay. With so many for auction they can be won much easier for less. Plus Mattel has boosted production of their once rare pieces to two Sarges and one Lizzie in each box instead of one every other box. On top of all that hs is in new duel pack with Filmore. With all that the price has plummeted to cost. Price as of: 7/07 $25-40, 8/07 $15-20, 9/07 $10-12, 10/01 $7-9, 11/14 $3-7 12/15 $1-4
Lizzie: She was the original rarity, Sarge took over for a while but it went back to Lizzie, but now because of the reasons listed above expect to pay just over what you would at the store. Lizzie was getting as much as $75 at the peak of the craze. Price as of: 7/07 $50-60, 8/07 $20-25, 9/07, 10-15, 10/01 $5-10, 11/14 $5-7. 12/15 $3-7
Chick: The only piece that retained the same price range from June-November 06. Never brought as much as the early Lizzies and Sarges but has outdone them with maintaining his value over the long run.. Price as of: 7/07 $20-30, 8/07 $15-20, 9/07 $15-20, 10/01 $15-20, 11/14 $5-10 12/15 $7-10
D). This is the old introduction with various information:
Pixar's Movie, "Cars" has produced the hottest line of toy collectables for 2006. These diecast cars are hard to find, which means adults who are simlpy trying to complete a set for Christmas or a birthday will have to compete against an army of the adult toy collecters who network and routinly survey the local stores. Mattel in their marketing brillance has made it all but impossible for the average parent to find all 23 single vehicles, and 8 dual packs for their kids.
Of course as I have mentioned ealier Disney itself is a good place to get the cars. You can now find most of the vehicles with a little effot and should not have to pay more than cost on ebay for any piece except, the five more rare pieces..
The cost of complete sets has also sagged. Originaly you would have had to pay near $200 for the original 16, and $250-300 for sets with the duel packs and Mack the truck. Now you should be able to find the 16 around $90-100, the 16 with the duel packs and Mack can be had for $150.
The original set only included 12 singles and the 4 duel packs, called "Movie Moments" these "Movie Moments" seem to be easier to find. Later 4 more pices were added. The singles retail anywhere from $2.88-6.00, and the dual packs range from $6.50-9.00.
There were also many companion pieces like the rare Carrying Case (exclusive to Target and very hard to find, expect to pay alot on ebay), 4 Radiator Springs Playsets ("Flo's Dinner" being a K-Bee exclusive), 2 Race Tracks and "Mack the Truck". Both the race tracks included versions of Lightning McQueen (Muddy McQueen is only in the Wiley's Butte playset) and the"Mater's Bowling Game" included a Blue Mater figure. The "Blue Mater" figure seems to bring a good price on ebay although that will not be the case when Matel releases the figure individualy. There were also some packs that were varients like Mack with Sally and Doc, or the Radiator Springs Casa De La Tires with 5 figures, etc, etc... For the sake of this guide we will only discuss the vehicles sold on their own.
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