Toy Review - Titans Return Hot Rod

[SharkyMcShark]

HOT ROD
Series – Titans Return
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 3
Released here – November 2016
Approximate Retail Price - $29.99
Approximate Size Pies - No pies included unfortunately
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode – Sports car
Main Features/Gimmicks – Headmaster
Main Colours – Red, Orange
Main Accessories – Two matching gun halves, Firedrive Titan Master

Hurray, they've reclaimed the Hot Rod name!

- Vehicle mode is very aesthetically pleasing. Curvy in all the right places. It's got quite a good size to it, it rolls well, and the weapon interaction doesn't look anywhere near as half assed as the Chromedome weapons. It feels kind of light though.
- Let's talk colours. The red is perhaps one tiny dash of orange away from being firetruck red. I like it a lot but then I'm one of those perverts who hates magenta/purple/pink/maroon Hot Rods. Otherwise there's not really that much grey on the figure. Most of the rest of it is orange and yellow. It's nice, and matches the IDW colour palette for this character.
- Transformation is simple but pleasing. There are a couple of nifty steps in there that didn't have to be but make for a much more pleasing figure, like the abdomen/car front folding in and the sides of the car forming the rear of the boots. Going back to car mode I also like how the knees become the back of the car.
- Firedrive is absolute garbage. Completely unpainted flat grey bot mode. The head is dying for a splash of any colour but red on the helmet. The dash of white on the face manages to clash with the rest of the figure's colours. I own eight of the twelve (thirteen with Brainstorm I suppose) released deluxes from this line and this Titan Master is the weakest deluxe head, by far.
- The robot mode leaves me with very mixed feelings. It's a perfectly functional robot mode, it has all the poseability you could want from a 2016 deluxe, it looks great proportionally with the long limbs, high shoulders and V shaped torso.... but I just don't like it as much as I should given all of the above. Objectively this should be one of my favourite releases from the last little while and aside from the hollow forearms (:mad:) and lack of paint on the head I can't flaw the figure in any meaningful way. It just feels more light and rickety than I'd like. Subjectively, in hand it feels like the mutant child of a normal Generations figure and a PlaySkool Transformer.

I genuinely hope this is one of those figures that grows on me with time because theoretically I should be all over this.

[GoktimusPrime]

Poll?

[Megatran]

Poll?
Donald Trump is the US President elect with 306 college electoral votes.

[GoktimusPrime]

I voted for "Chocolate," which I can only assume means, "Not even interested."

I passed this toy but grabbed one for a friend. Yesterday the toy fell off his desk and the spoiler broke. :( That's pretty disappointing for a contemporary toy considering that a lot of BW figures can withstand not being just dropped, but being deliberately pegged on floors, across rooms etc. When I was shopping for the Wave 3 TR Deluxes, I was carrying TR Cerebros in my hand and as I was grabbing these toys off pegs I accidentally dropped Cerebros. One of Fort Max's "antennae" came off but it was easy to put back on, otherwise no damage. So yeah, a modern toy should really be able to withstand a simple drop (for child safety reasons if nothing else; this is why Hasbro can never reissue G1 Fortress Maximus).

Anyway, just be aware that the spoiler may be fragile. :o

[Deonasis]

I voted for Caramel because i think it is a quiet achiever of the desert flavours.

[BruiseLee]

I voted yes as i believed it would make me more attractive and successful though I'm having difficulty proving this as I'm not having much success when i ask people if they want to see my Hot Rod??

[Jellico]

Anyone else find HR has a very tight hinge holding his backpack and windsheild on?

I suspect the yellow hinge has lumps on it to make it stay in place in robot mode but it is already causing stress marks. I might have to file it back.

[Maruten]

I love this guy. Very happy with mine but yeah, Firedrive is criminally bland in robot mode.

[Dimi194]

My first Hot Rod (aside from the Blackjack redo last year, which IMHO doesn't really count:p) and I must say I'm really impressed!

Haven't found any of the proportion issues to be issues, I love the way he looks and the colouring.

Only issue with mine was the floppy legs, but that's easy to fix. Otherwise another awesome TR figure!

[GoktimusPrime]

Caved and got this toy for $15. :o

Actually quite impressed with this figure - it's a lot better than I thought it would be. It offers a lot for a Deluxe Class toy, particularly in the way that the backpack folds up and the fender folds in etc. There are neat tricks which allow Hot Rod to transform from a wide car to a sleek robot. My initial thoughts were, "Poor man's MP Hot Rod," and I mean that as a compliment to this toy. Cos I've reviewed both MP9 and MP28, and this toy feels like what MP Hot Rodimus would be if it were at a $25~30 Deluxe price point as opposed to MP38's 8000JPY ($95) RRP. So in terms of value for money, this toy gives you a lot of back for your buck.

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of how Titans Return is making Headmasters out of characters that weren't originally Headmasters in G1, and I'm still not a fan of this concept. One thing that I dislike about it is how it makes the robot heads look weird, especially with the Titan Master's arms and legs tucked on the back of the head. That's fine for characters that are originally Headmasters, because their G1 counterparts look the same, but I generally don't like it for other characters. Yet for Hot Rod it manages to work because G1 Hot Rod never had a proper back of the head anyway. It's the chrome engine block from the vehicle mode, and so having a grey back-blockhead actually doesn't look as jarring on Hot Rod as it does on other not-originally-Headmaster Titans Return figures. I still would've preferred him to be a true Targetmaster like Deluxe Class Cyclonus though.

The mufflers would look a whole lot better in chrome rather than dark grey, but the dark grey is much preferable to the dull "Hasblow" grey seen on other Hasbro toys, so I'm thankful that they at least went with a darker shade of grey. If TakaraTOMY does choose to apply chrome on the Legends version of this toy, I hope that the chrome isn't highly prone to chipping off as with MP38. Coincidentally the way that the guns can be wielded separately is reminiscent of the original 1986 Hot Rod (2 grey guns) and when clipped together it's more like 1987's Targetmaster Hot Rod, since G1 Firebolt transforms into a single double-barrelled gun.

I agree with what others have said about the horrifically plain colours on Firedrive. Zero effort put into the deco on this figure. :rolleyes: Firedrive makes TR Stylor look good, and TR Stylor is - colour-wise - rubbish! The one incidental upside to Firedrive's One Shade of Grey is that from waist up he's more G1 cartoon-accurate in colour. My Hot Rod has some extra paint bleeding over on the left shin, but I should be able to remove it easily enough with rubbing alcohol and a cotton tip.

Photos

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod01_zpsvdxyvnxf.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod02_zpschjxwjil.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod03b_zpsajxsajre.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod05_zps8k2gzr0i.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod06_zpsfzekktfq.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod07_zpst3qexs1u.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod03a_zpskqyfkgt4.jpg

[FatalityPitt]

Cos I've reviewed both MP9 and MP28, and this toy feels like what MP Hot Rodimus would be if it were at a $25~30 Deluxe price point as opposed to MP38's 8000JPY ($95) RRP. So in terms of value for money, this toy gives you a lot of back for your buck.

This figure has something that neither Masterpieces have; an opening cockpit. With that, you can re-enact the scene in the 1986 movie where Hot Rod transforms for the first time. "If you're gonna ride Daniel, ride in Style."... Of course, you'll need a Daniel figure too.

[Bidoofdude]

Can we get a pic with RTS Rodimus? I like mine, but this figure is looking pretty good, especially in car mode.

[High_Q]

This figure has something that neither Masterpieces have; an opening cockpit.

MP-9 Rodimus has an opening cockpit for both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime vehicular modes.

[GoktimusPrime]

One anomaly with Titans Return Hot Rod is that his weapon post and fist holes aren't actually 5mm but slightly wider. The result is that Hot Rod's guns are not compatible with other 5mm fist-hole sized toys, and other figures that can hold 5mm post weapons cannot hold Hot Rod's guns. This also means that TR and G1 TM Hot Rod cannot exchange weapons. :(


Can we get a pic with RTS Rodimus? I like mine, but this figure is looking pretty good, especially in car mode.
My RtS Rodimus is packed away cos he's for sale, so it was easier for me to grab my Classics Rodimus (same mould). ;)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_hotrod08_zps0w3enpf4.jpg


This figure has something that neither Masterpieces have; an opening cockpit. With that, you can re-enact the scene in the 1986 movie where Hot Rod transforms for the first time. "If you're gonna ride Daniel, ride in Style."... Of course, you'll need a Daniel figure too.
MP-9 Rodimus has an opening cockpit for both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime vehicular modes.
Can confirm.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/Masterpiece%20Rodimus%20Prime/th_mprodimus_comparison_hastak_vehicle_interior.jp ghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/Masterpiece%20Rodimus%20Prime/masterpiece_rodimus_comparison04_zpsrh6l9oio.jpg
Although admittedly the canopy cannot close while Daniel is riding in it. :o Furthermore, TR Hot Rod's canopy opens from the reverse side that Hot Rod's does in TFTM. MP9's canopy is more accurate in this regard. TR Hot Rod is the first Hot Rod toy with a driver's compartment that can be occupied, albeit only by Firewire and not Daniel. Although in the G1 comics the Targetmaster Nebulans were known to ride inside their Autobot/Decepticon counterparts when in vehicle mode, as can be seen when Fracas piloted Scourge (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/d/dc/Fracas_uk1.jpg). If TR Hot Rod is meant to basically be the CHUGUR equivalent of Targetmaster Hot Rod, then it makes more sense for Firebolt/wire to ride him than Daniel anyway considering that:
* In the G1 cartoon Daniel was binary bonded with Arcee, not Hot Rod.
* In the G1 comics Daniel only existed in a few alternate future timelines in parallel universes※ where Hot Rod never became a Targetmaster (instead he became Rodimus Prime). In the main universe (Earth-91274 (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Primax_984.0_Gamma)), Hot Rod never became Rodimus Prime but instead became a Targetmaster. Thus he never knew Daniel and was only ever binary bonded to Firebolt. Furthermore, Spike and Fortress Maximus were killed on Earth-91274 during the events of Transformers: Generation 2.

-----------------------------------------------
※Namely the Primax 986.13Γ (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Primax_986.13_Gamma) (an aborted future version of Earth-120185 (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Primax_984.20_Gamma)) and Primax 886.0Γ (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Primax_886.0_Gamma) universes.

[FatalityPitt]

MP-9 Rodimus has an opening cockpit for both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime vehicular modes.

<eats humble pie>

[Doubledealer]

I voted for "Become violent if anyone suggests you should own this figure".:p

I feel this Hot Rod really should have given us the MTMTE interpretation of the character, or waited for the next line and be partnered with a TM (which I'm expecting in the future when I'll probably cave and pick him up).

Break/Getaway is a CHUG character we haven't seen before yet is a repaint.
Hot Rod is a CHUG character we HAVE seen before, gets a new mold and doesn't bring anything new or amazing to the table. Wish they'd put the extra money into Breakway!

[Bumbleb33]

I agreed with the general consensus regarding this fig, he's good but comparatively to other TR figs not amazing. His proportions are good, colours are vibrant, poseability is very good and he is a great replacement for the aging CHUG Hot Rod, who I felt was always too short. The new TR Hot Rod looks great alongside the 86 movie cast and I feel his new height is more inline with the other characters.

[M-bot]

Too much "Hasbro grey" plastic on this guy. I like my Hot Rods with chromed (or at least silver) side exhausts. I had a friend ask me to chrome the grey pieces on his Hot Rod, and due to the huge number of pins (rather than screws) used in the construction of this toy (is it just me or are pins becoming more and more prolific in the engineering of modern TFs?), I couldn't satisfactorily get to a lot of the grey pieces without doing a heap of masking I haven't the time or inclination to do.

I'll post up some pics in the creative section of the bits I did do once I've taken some. Makes the toy look heaps better. I'm tempted to do the same thing to my own Hot Rod.

Still it's the better of the 2 modern Hot Rod moulds we have in the CHUG line.

[GoktimusPrime]

I find both Classics Rodimus and TR Hot Rod have their individual pros and cons. Rodimus has a more solid vehicle mode whereas Hot Rod is more of a panelformed car (the price you pay for having a less kibbly robot mode). Also, I can't ever get Hot Rod's canopy to sit completely flush when closed. I'm still not a fan of Hot Rod's new Headmaster head, although admittedly it doesn't look as bad IRL as I thought it would (they've done well in trying to downplay it). Rodimus has a stockier build which is more like the G1 toy, whereas Hot Rod has a slimmer build more like IDW Hot Rod. Rodimus' spoiler is also more prominent in robot mode, and he has a missile launcher and flip out buzzsaw in his wrist which Hot Rod lacks (his guns do nothing other than combine for a Titan Master to sit in). Rodimus' weapon also stows away nicely as the vehicle's exhaust, whereas Rodimus' guns can only clip onto the exterior of the vehicle. Rodimus' pipes are also silver instead of grey, which I reckon is a better alternative. And the Battle in Space version of Rodimus (as seen in my signature & sales thread) gives him a more similar colour scheme to G1 cartoon Hot Rod (which TR Hot Rod has); still for sale if anyone wants one </shameless.plug> :p

I like both toys, but I personally felt that Rodimus was well worth the $25 that I paid for him, whereas I'm mightly glad that I got Hot Rod for $15; I wouldn't have paid more. I'm happy to keep both figures though (and I'm just selling off an excess variant of the Classics toy). :)

[FatalityPitt]

I suppose if anyone is still in favour of the Classics/RTS-BIS Rodimus mold, and feels a bit of buyer remorse from getting TR Hot Rod; they can take the TR Hot Rod, stick a red and yellow TM head on it, and call it "Flame".

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Flame_(Marvel)

[Gasaraki]

Hi guys! I haven't read one of these threads in a while, and it's great to read the thoughts!

I found myself with time/energy left over after starting my watch channel (link in signature) so here's my YouTube TF Review debut on this very figure (https://youtu.be/6hhibd8P-UY) :)

All feedback welcome, and please don't flame me for my mistakes :P

[shockNwave]

The only Hot Rod/Rodimus toys in my collection are A) the Alternators one which turns into a Ford GT and has poorly designed doors and B) the G1 one that comes with Star Convoy Optimus, which is smaller than a Unicron trilogy minicon. So am I happy to have a Hot Rod derived from the G1 movie Hot Rod and of deluxe size? Definetly and he's better than the other two I have.:D

[BigTransformerTrev]

I'm not sold on his robot mode but am absolutely loving his vehicle mode - way better than I expected!

Also - best poll options EVER! :D