Yes
Only if cheap
Only if (something else)
No
Not even interested
It definitely saves time from an engineering perspective if you take an original part and only change the outside profiles. Though there is still a lot of work involved it's not usually as much as starting from scratch.
I think the description of taking a transformation design and rebuilding another vehicle/bot around it is quite apt in this case, even though it's a completely different assembly of parts isn't the torso of ectotron a very similar shape/structure to that of onslaught?
I still haven't opened mine, might happen one night this week.
I voted only if cheap
I had an opportunity to have a fiddle with this figure a few weeks ago & while it's a cool addition to your collection, it didn't leave me with that phwooar feeling
I think John Warden has said in an interview that the lead time on this figure was less than what they would typically allow for, so they didn't try to engineer a figure from scratch. Instead they took known CAD files and redesigned the key features to fit the new character. That way the sizing and alignment of parts to facilitate transformation was already taken care of and all that would need to be done would be cosmetic design.
Makes sense, and after opening the toy last night, not having a combiner torso to compare against on hand, I'd suggest that the torso is a heavy remould, as is the 'design frame' of the feet.
The transformation overall, is quite good and I'm very happy with the way the shoulders transform, I was worried that they would be floppy but the transformation is quite unique. Mine too has loosish knees, it's not a toy killer but it would have been preferred I think if they had been ratcheted, or just a bit tight. Being a pin it's something that's difficult to fix.
1. The blue hose can be kinda frustrating when attempting to transform Ecto back to car mode but it's an a fun kind of frustration although I recommend keeping this TF out of reach of children because those rubber parts will get worn out in no time.
2. I'm not a fan of retools and less so of repaints (unless there's a good reason) but thankfully the retooling is so minor.
3. TFs with vintage or (in this case) retro alt. modes need to be cherished due to how uncommon they are and Ectotron is retro and then some (it's the Ecto-1 for god's sake).
4. When it comes to storing Slimer, the instructions don't say how but I've found you can sit him on the proton gun or place the gun up his........ I'll let you work that one out for yourself.
Conclusion: An awesome TF and worth the price tag.