Takara Transformers

[Mandingo Rex]

Dammit nacho! I don't own any of those! Haha. Actually, I do have Grimlock and the Seeker mold... But they're not lined up on the same row. Hang on, I'll post a pic of MP-10, MP-11 and Alternator Jazz...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Fuck, their Rainforest Rainmaker is a dope deco...

 

[nacho]

Looks better with MP-10 IMO...not necessarily for the height, but more for the bulk...FL just looks too wimpy next to that IH

I think that's an illusion caused by the larger seeker. Take TC away, and I think IH looks just fine with FL. But I like my prime to only be a head or so taller than the other 'bots. It bugs me when other autobots are eye-level with his crotch.

 

[nacho]

Fuck, their Rainforest Rainmaker is a dope deco...

i think that's a custom that someone else posted on their wall, no?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

eye-level with his crotch.

This is Eddie we're talking to...

i think that's a custom that someone else posted on their wall, no?

It said Limited Edition Prototype... No idea wtf that means in pseudo-Chino-Engrish.

 

[nacho]

ok, they did release that then. I didn't pick it up because I was about seekered-out after buying the coneheads, the three animation paint jobs, and their sunstorm. Had they waited about six months longer, I'd likely have jumped at it.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Called my local TRUs, the closest one apparently sold out at opening of the FOUR(?!) Thundercrackers that she said they got in. After spending an hour on the phone with 4 area TRUs that kept sending me from one to the next, I finally found someone halfway competent on the phone. You'd think with network-linked inventories and item numbers, it wouldn't be so fucking hard.

Still no luck in getting one, but the last store had one "missing" which the (competent) woman I talked to said it was likely "stashed" versus actually stolen (since it's a big item), and she took my name and number. I'm not expecting a call about that one, but I'm halfway hopeful that they'll get more in. The one near me—where I was told they only got in 4 and sold out of all 4 immediately—said they were listed as "discontinued" and wouldn't get anymore in.

The last store, though, said they'd get in more, and they had a truck tomorrow. I'm miffed that I went by that very store on Monday, because they apparently got the truck in on Tuesday and sold the last one on the floor late in the day. Grr.

eBay prices are already at $140+, so if I can't snag a Hasbro TC at retail, then I'm going to have to go for the iGear one. I do like the new mold update on Starscream, though, but dislike those tacky tampo-tattoos that are all over TC.

I love how all the toy hobbies are an easy 100% markup, at minimum now... :-/

 

[pcsguy88]

Is mp-10 metal in the chest and legs like mp-1?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Nope.

 

[nacho]

Ok, I was late for work and didn't have time to do a bunch of transforming, but here is a vehicle mode pic with a couple of Alts. He just looks too small to me. That's my only gripe really, that they are too big for CHUGs and too small for MPs. They are in scale hell.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Yeah, that doesnt work at all...and then put them in bot mode and my mind can't let go that the van bot should be larger than the car bot...

 

[nacho]

I knew you'd feel that way! I think the alt mode works better with CHUGs. In fact, I think they work fine with most deluxe CHUGs in both modes. It's the scale vs Classics Prime that's really out of whack.

I'll end up displaying these two with CHUG autobot cars and Faith Leader Prime. Then everything should be scaled about right. And although I haven't checked, I think Faith Leader should be pretty close to Hegemon. And Hegemon works pretty well with CHUG 'cons and the Hercules bots too.

So I guess the only thing you have to do to get these guys to work with CHUGs is replace your two leaders!

EDIT: a quick bing image search tells me that FL is a fuzz larger than Hegemon... but as long as you don't put them right next to each other, they'll probably display ok.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

What I need is a legends line that has the articulation of the PE Reflector bots...then all will be good in my universe...

 

[nacho]

That's why I LOVE the revoltechs. I don't care that they don't transform. They are small, highly articulated, and not to difficult to customize.

And since they don't transform, you don't have to worry about alt scale...

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

AND they look awesome and cartoony...I really like them too

 

[Mandingo Rex]

They look to be in scale to Alternity! Which was a highly successful replacement and cheap scale-down to the Alternators/BT line.

I may still get them, I don't know... I have a feeling that Takara may one day do Ironhide and Ratchet now that they are doing cars, but that's IF the cars are successful...

Thanks for posting the car pics. If you get around to posting the bot modes, that'll give a little more sense of scale, but don't be late for work. These are just toys, after all. Haha.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Whew, at least the TC eBay listings are dropping... If it gets lower than or stays at the $110-$120 mark, I'll pay that. With CA taxes, it'll be $80 minimum, and it's worth $30-$40 for me to not waste a tank of gas driving around the fucking area or calling all day.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

This fucking dipshit is scalping a TC locally on Craigslist, and I humored myself to inquire about the price. $160. What a jackoff. Who scalps things at twice the price on CL when eBay is significantly lower than that?

 

[nacho]

People are greedy SOBs who are trying to prey on the stupid and desperate.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

It's funny that people try to make a living off scalping...what a sh!tty life...it's like being a lawyer, making a living off being a d!ck

 

[nacho]

At least lawyers are good at deluding themselves... and they make $100 an hour. Scalpers are just bottom feeders to the nth degree.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

This guy was a total gem.

I messaged him, inquiring about the price, noting that I was aware of the retail cost and eBay prices, and was willing to meet in the middle, and STILL drive to him. He replied back "$160." I then replied back that he didn't quite understand scalping on Craigslist... That the point was either to wait a while until the items were much more rare and the price was driven up, or to strike now while it's fresh and undermine eBay prices by a few bucks, since people get it local, without the wait, and don't have to pay for shipping. What you DON'T do, I stressed, was ask for 25% more than the lowest eBay listings...

More or less, I was just being a dick back to him. Fucker replied "I dont give fuck, is what is mang."

He posted his personal email and phone number in the ad, what a dumbass. I'm debating waiting a while then spamming him with blowjob replies from the seedy sections of Craigslist.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Post his info here and we'll set up fake meetings to buy it above what he's asking

 

[nacho]

Just give his number to Ewok!

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I snagged that TC on eBay last night for $105. Corner was slightly split on the box, but I don't give a shit about that since I open my TFs. Considering that I'd have to drive at least 30 miles or more to get it, and pay a toll on a bridge, the extra few bucks was well worth my time, considering it's getting shipped to me, too.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Good to hear you scored one reasonably...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah, it fell in the range that I was willing to pay, so I decided why not? I still had a balance in my Paypal from you, so technically you paid for it!

http://botsndolls.blogspot.com/2012/09/review-igear-pp05-part-2.html

I think I'm going to pass on that iGear Ratchet and Ironhide, as much as I dig them. I just don't think they'll fit in with any scale I already have. From that pic, it seems they fit in almost flawlessly with the CHUGs. I guess until they make an MP version, I need to just redo my Alternator customs...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Just snagged Thundercracker from TRU's site for $60 shipped. Heh.

Guess I can always re-Bay my one I just won off eBay, or sell it locally. The deal was too good to pass up!

 

[nacho]

Yeah, that's not bad. I don't really need a TC, but I don't have one of this mold yet...

 

[nacho]

Wow, apparently they already took TC down at the tru site. I don't know if it sold out or what, because if you search on thundercracker or the item number, you get nothing.

I also didn't realize that the MSRP was $70. That make the $60-shipped deal look pretty good.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Just snagged Thundercracker from TRU's site for $60 shipped. Heh.

Guess I can always re-Bay my one I just won off eBay, or sell it locally. The deal was too good to pass up!

Awesome and lame at the same time...lol...


You should contact the CL guy and try and unload your first TC on him

 

[nacho]

Tell him you'll sell to him for $120, just cause you're in a good mood.

 

[nacho]

Rumor is going around that the TC sale was an accident and that all the orders will be cancelled.

I don't believe the rumor, mind you, but it's out there.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Rumor is going around that the TC sale was an accident and that all the orders will be cancelled.

I don't believe the rumor, mind you, but it's out there.

Meh, if it was, then I still have mine coming for $105. Not the end of the world, although that sucks for some. I just happened to check out Seibertron.com's front page and saw it at 3am before I went to bed. Couldn't sleep, go figure. That'd save me the hassle of having to resell mine.

Wow, apparently they already took TC down at the tru site. I don't know if it sold out or what, because if you search on thundercracker or the item number, you get nothing.

I also didn't realize that the MSRP was $70. That make the $60-shipped deal look pretty good.

Yeah, not a bad deal at all. Considering CA tax and fuel, I'd easily have paid $90-100 locally to just pick the fucker up even at retail, had I not called ahead.

 

[nacho]

I ordered one at 7:04am EDT. So far everything looks good, no cancellation or backorder notices.

I'll use my igear version as a blue rainmaker.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I actually sort of prefer the iGear coloration, but want the newer body style of MP-11.

Now I'm going to be OCD as hell about Skywarp not matching. I'm not so concerned about the Coneheads, since I actually like the variation in design with them and iGear fixed the legs/hip kibble issue with that re-mold anyways.

I have the Hasbro one and the Takara ones fresh in the box still. I was waiting on getting a TC that I was happy with first. Guess I could always just do the iGear one with the fixed legs so I don't have the odd-man out with that weird hip scabbard.

 

[nacho]

Yeah, I plan to display my igear Skywarp and leave the tak version in the box. I think I've got a WM skywarp I can paint into another rainmaker also... or scavenge parts for a custom.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

...I'll use my igear version as a blue rainmaker.

Is it the awesome bright cartoon colored version?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

My only problem with the iGear and Takara ones (at least of the ones I got prior to MP-11) is they didn't have tampo'ed on stripes AND Decepticon sigils. iGear has the stripes, and I think the Takara version has the sigils (maybe not, it's been so long since I've even opened it to look) but only the US deco and MP-11 have both.

Now, I understand why iGear doesn't have the sigils and it's an easy fix with reprolabels.com, but now there's not a "perfect" Skywarp. I just despise stickers on $100+ figures. God, this OCDness.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

... I just despise stickers on $100+ figures...

totally agreed...they just make them look cheap...I HATED using them on my Hercules...I just used small ones and clear coated them hoping to hide the edges as best as possible...


...really wish there was a good place to get dry rub decals or that reprolables or cobra stickers or both would offer them as an option...next best thing to tampos...