Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[Paulbot]

Best offer: 20% off toys at Myer tomorrow
http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=22193

Target, Myer and Kmart have all had the Combaticon CW wave. Kmart's shelf price is $25 and they are $30 at the other two. Myer sale makes them $1 cheaper there - so not a great deal.

[prjkt]

so I'm teetering on joining the Masterpiece Collectors...

I currently have one, G2 Bumblebee, and am really impressed by the little guy, however, based on the reviews, it seems I may be disappointed by any of the other Masterpiece Cars - am I correct in this assumption, or are people out there a little too critical?

[GoktimusPrime]

Why not meet up with another collector who has more MPs and try before you buy?

[Seraphim Prime]

so I'm teetering on joining the Masterpiece Collectors...

I currently have one, G2 Bumblebee, and am really impressed by the little guy, however, based on the reviews, it seems I may be disappointed by any of the other Masterpiece Cars - am I correct in this assumption, or are people out there a little too critical?

I think we've become a bit too critical (in general) over the last few years. Some argue that it's simply being discerning, but when you get figures with near perfect cartoon likeness and accurate, licensed car modes, and you pull it apart because of engineering decisions, I think it's just being picky. But that's been discussed elsewhere on these boards.

Bumblebee is generally regarded as one of the high points of the Hasui designed MPs. However I have personally found that I have played with Prime, Magnus, Prowl and Sideswipe a lot more.

I personally think Sideswipe and Magnus are superb and well worth your time and energy.

[Deonasis]

so I'm teetering on joining the Masterpiece Collectors...

I currently have one, G2 Bumblebee, and am really impressed by the little guy, however, based on the reviews, it seems I may be disappointed by any of the other Masterpiece Cars - am I correct in this assumption, or are people out there a little too critical?

If they were all crap they would not sellout and be re-issued. People are pointing out minor flaws. Nothing snaps and everything (sometimes miraculously) fits. Alot of people also want more for less.

[prjkt]

Thanks for the advice guys, I do have the reissue Wheeljack on order, and trying to work out if I've got the budget for Tracks atm

The Lambo and Nissan mould guys might need to wait a little while.

If they were all crap they would not sellout and be re-issued. People are pointing out minor flaws. Nothing snaps and everything (sometimes miraculously) fits. Alot of people also want more for less.

That's what I was hoping for. I guess I should remember proper "forum mentality" - 5% of people make 95% of the noise over something 95% of the time doesn't matter.

I guess it applies to this hobby as well as audio and photographic equipment.

[UltraMarginal]

I think also when someone is reviewing or giving an opinion on a toy they feel they need to point out a negative as much as they point out positives so they look like they aren't just fanboying the toy. so you end up with negative points that are potentially very nitpicky for the sake of a 'level-headed' opinion.

Like everything, they all have something that maybe could have been done better if there was more budget or time but I personally have been very impressed with them all. I do prefer some things over others and I've skipped Starsaber but the rest I am very content with. I just wish I had a little more space to spread them out on display. I think you'll enjoy wheeljack, my exhaust doesn't fit together quite as well. but still good.

[SuspectimusPrime]

Like everything, they all have something that maybe could have been done better if there was more budget or time but I personally have been very impressed with them all. I do prefer some things over others and I've skipped Starsaber but the rest I am very content with. I just wish I had a little more space to spread them out on display. I think you'll enjoy wheeljack, my exhaust doesn't fit together quite as well. but still good.

Which part of Exhaust doesn't fit quite well?

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

so I'm teetering on joining the Masterpiece Collectors...

I currently have one, G2 Bumblebee, and am really impressed by the little guy, however, based on the reviews, it seems I may be disappointed by any of the other Masterpiece Cars - am I correct in this assumption, or are people out there a little too critical?

I've heard good things about Magnus and Wheeljack, though I don't have either myself, and I haven't opened my Exhaust yet. Grimlock is another apparently-great-but-I-don't-have-him MP. Soundwave and his cassettes are well worth having, though he may be hard to find these days. Prowl and Sideswipe/Lambor are both more than adequate, as (presumably) their remolds/recolors would be. MP10 Optimus V.2 is hard for me to accurately judge, since mine has a lot of sentimental value and I never had the original MP Optimus mold, but it is a nice piece and looks great. Less gimmicks than the older version, but aside from the slightly dinky gun he's pretty much the Optimus Prime toy IMO. Tracks and Road Rage...not really worth the cost IMO. Don't have MP Starscream yet. Star Saber is adequate, but also kind of basic - he's a nice piece, but his alt-modes are so-so and a lot of his value/attraction comes from his sheer presence and size. His robot modes (especially the combined form) are by far the standouts.

Basically, I'd recommend Bumblebee and Soundwave without hesitation, and for the rest maybe watch some reviews or mess around with someone else's first.

Also, Movie Leader Starscream/Takara MPM Starscream is nothing short of amazing. And I'm very much not a Bayformers fan.

[Starscream77]

That's what I was hoping for. I guess I should remember proper "forum mentality" - 5% of people make 95% of the noise over something 95% of the time doesn't matter.

Perfectly said