Holy cow – it might be too early to call it but I think we have reached a point of normalcy in this line! Mattel is actually shipping in right quantities and boxes are packed 50% with the NEWEST CARS and the box that follows is also 50-75% of the last month releases so finally, things are normalizing! No more crazy paying $40 for a new CAR or waiting 5-6 MONTHS for something new to appear on the shelves … one bit of strong evidence – none of the new CARS are over $10 on eBay because the math is like this – most large stores are ordering 5-10 cases of A, B & C – add to the fact that most places have a ratio of 4 WM to 3 Targets to 1 TRU plus a few other stores in the mix, now within a 20-miles radius, in theory, you might be able to find 60-150 of EACH of the new CARS – way too many for scalpers to suck up. I think the Movie Moments are still in slight short supply as retailers are not ordering as many of those (and why is Mike & Sculley still being packed?) but since the Movie Moment boxes pretty much repeat themselves, don’t worry – eventually you will find them.

Mattel is also packing better – most boxes are 50-75% from the last month and not CARS from 2006 as much … so someone say hallelujah!

Plus stores are anxious to get EVERYTHING out the back room and onto the floor so if you see someone from the department stocking or milling about – ASK!

For those new or relatively new to collecting the Mattel Pixar CARS line or those who are just having trouble keeping track, this post will try to keep you up to date with visuals as to what’s out now that’s “new” to the line.

JUST ARRIVING

Ghostlight Ramone (WOC card)
My Name is Not Chuck
Pit Crew Guido
Race Official Tom
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)

POSTPONED

Pit Crew Member Sarge
Richard Clayton Kensingston (Security Van)

Complete COMPLETISTS should also be aware the NEW WOC CARS also come in two card versions – much like the WM CARS – one that is sniped “New” on the front and one that is not.

12-CAR CARRYING CASE with LAUNCHER

As Mattel says, “Just turn the hub to send vehicles rolling from the gravity launcher!” They also promise heart-stopping fun though I do not hope they mean that literally as I have eaten way too much bacon in my lifetime. 😉

Amazon also has it. It also comes with SNOT ROD.

NEW HANGING BLISTER MULTI-PACKS

PIT ROW RACE OFF

“Each includes a die-cast vehicle with launcher. It’s your favorite racers from the hit Disney/Pixar movie CARS, in the new Pit-Stop Racers Assortment. Each includes a die-cast vehicle with launcher. Connect the launchers to recreate Pit Crew Row, then send your character cars into high performance mode with a pow! Assortment includes Lightning McQueen, The King, Chick Hicks, Octane Gain*, Leak Less and Nitroade.”

*Octane Gain will be part of the next shipment – B

They will retail for around $7.99.

Here are some eBay photos …

3-PACK (HANGING BLISTERS)

Also on the shelves – completists should note that the Charlie Checker (Piston Cup Pace Car) has yellow tail-lights. The WM version had red tail-lights. If you’re arguing accuracy, pace cars in our world are just regular cars or in some cases, with souped up engines but in 99% of the cases, just like street cars – with red tail-lights (the pace car only has to be able to do 55 to 85 MPH so really, most any car can be a pace car).

Box A (IN STORES)

Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Lightning McQueen, Flo & Lightning Phase Ramone (2)

Box B (REPORTS are that they are shipping next week)

Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Gold Mia Tia & Dinoco Chick Hicks (2)

THE FIRST “TREASURE HUNT”

While not officially a treasure hunt/chase car in the normal scheme of things. If you purchase the Blu-Ray CARS DVD, for $3.50 (plus tax), you get a “free” CAR. It is limited to 15,000 and you have to sign up with Disney Movie Rewards.

ALL the info is available at our other post on signup tips, etc, etc.

There are still some left *promo ends in January 30, 2008). but for all those who ordered in the first few weeks, Mattel/Disney has already shipped them out.

EXCLUSIVES

While the WM 8 CARS have pretty much come & gone …

Completists or precisionists might note – Kori has her PRESS PASS stickered in a variety of positions. In that particular scene from the movie where she shows up to interview Lightning and Mack & everyone realizes McQueen has “disappeared,” her PRESS pass is level (on her left front quarter panel) and relatively “straight” but the diecast feartures the sticker in a variety of positions from level to slightly askew to angled … so whether you consider the angle a variant is your call but note, if you want one that most closely resembles the scene in the movie, look for one that is “level.” (of course, her missing mirrors is another matter).

Also, some TJ’s have the license plate that reads TUF GUE and some that read TUF GUY … if it matters to you.

MOVIE MOMENTS

NOW SHIPPING:
Dinoco Mia & Tia
Flea & Flik

ALSO ANNOUNCED FOR 2008 as NEW MULTI-PACKS

(again, no older ones are retired – won’t rehash those to save space, I’m only listing the NEW Movie Moments packs)

(IN RELEASE ORDER – COMING NEXT)

Tow Cap (#4 – Rusty Cornfuel) & Gasprin (#70 – Floyn Mulvihill)

Leakless & No Stall (#123 – Todd “The Shockster” Marcus)

PLAYSETS

YES, Curio Shop, Ramone’s & Luigi’s are ALL BACK!

Thanks to reader ‘Kristie’ who spotted them in SoCal – haven’t seen them in NoCal yet but others in WA have reported in.

$19.99 – EXCLUSIVE to Toys R Us in the new WORLD OF CARS motif.

BOXES

While there are literally dozen of box sets and re-packs out there (how many versions of Mack are on the shelf?), the newest is the Dinoco 400 box with three new Piston Cup Racer CARS – an exclusive at Target:

Thanks to “KristieD22,” Target on Amazon has it on sale for $17.99 – while you can search to see if it’s available at Target stores, I’m presuming Target retail matches Target.com pricing? And yes, that photo is incorrect but you get the Dinoco 400 set.

SUMMARY

Not sure about your parts of the country but here in NoCal, we are pretty much stripped clean – Boost’s and Lizzie make up 95% of the individual blister cards here. But not much of anything else which means this Christmas/holiday season, another couple hundred thousand kids were welcomed into the CARS order of lunacy. Will they take up the baton and see past the 14 CARS listed on the back of the cards and realize there are 67 more? Will new mom or dad go on not a grail quest but a CARS quest – day, night – pulling off freeways from 5 lanes away when they spot the blue letters of WM or the giant red Target or the giraffee?

This is one reason Mattel is okay to keep shipping older CARS as newbies are coming in … but enough of Buzz & Woody, okay? So, break out your wallets. Last year, Mattel gave us breathers – this coming 2008? I have a feeling they are going to be going by a new old saying …

“A CAR a day, that’s all we ask …”

We will update this post when new CARS diecast items hit the shelves (or in reality, eBay).

In January/February the HK and NY Toy Fairs, we should hear more about what’s coming in early 2008.

RECAP OF OUR OTHER POSTS

THE BASICS

If you want a recap of the Mattel Pixar CARS line from the beginning.

Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: It’s What to Collect

Unlike other toys/hot items that stay hot for a few weeks or months – this Mattel Pixar CARS diecast line has pretty been SIZZLING for 16 months – not just rare but almost un-heard of.

Of course, we would love to tell you that if you show up here at 7:00 AM, you are assured of seeing it on the shelve un-touched … or course, that is not really possible with this line due to real demand and eBay “re-distribution” demand but we have tried to sum up why it’s seems impossible and some buying tips that while not foolproof, might make things slightly easier …

Mattel Pixar Cars: I Want to Buy But Where?

BUYING CASES & WHAT’S NEXT

First, one way to skip the driving around is to buy sealed cases, here is a brief rundown on what that is AND what are the CARS coming this holiday season (the last two months of 2007):

Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes

And what’s coming in 2008:

Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes Holiday 2007 & 2008

Or what the latest on the shelf cards & CARS look like?

Mattel Pixar: What’s in Stores Now

If you wish to plot out what CAR will make its first appearance & in what box in 2008, a friend of 2aDay has thoughtfully provided a spreadsheet you can download or it’s also been added to our online checklist/spreadsheet.

HOW TO COLLECT

For those on the intermediate & advanced stages of this obsession (yes, I has the fever! I has the fever 🙂 ) … you’ll want a “field guide” to spotting what’s what:

A Basic Checklist (in spreadsheet form)

The checklist offers a few versions on how you like your poison 😉

Then of course, a more indepth guideline on how to collect them – just one of each? one of each available on a different card?

Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: How to Collect

As you progress further, you might need or want a guide to understanding what do the three different designs on the front indicate and how complete of a collector you want to be:

Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: Card Backs

Info on the Blu-Ray Dinoco “Blu” CAR

The LIMITED & EXCLUSIVE Disney Blu-Ray “Blu” Dinoco McQueen

MORE INFORMATION THAN NORMAL

Of course, by now, you’ll want to know everything and plan your budget carefully … Mattel will definitely release 35/36 of the Piston Cup Racers in one massive collector’s set but will they release them in smaller sets? Our speculation on why rioting is probably not necessary:

Mattel Pixar Cars: All the Piston Cup CARS-Speedway of the South Box Set

If you prefer to see some of the cardbacks in a larger file size or to view the two posters for a visual look at the CARS to collect, our FLICKER page is here.

Did you know the Blu-Ray DVD (for HDTV’s) will include a “name-spotter” feature that will let you see the names of 217 CARS within the movie?

Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: It’s What to Collect-Part II – 217 CARS?

And while we’re at it – pure speculation on our part as to what might be coming next?

Mattel Pixar Cars: What’s Coming in 2008 or 2009

Mattel Pixar Cars: What’s Coming in 2008 or 2009? Part II

Mattel Pixar Cars: Mia & Tia – All the Possible Variants

MORE USEFUL INFORMATION

Details on the Mattel sponsorship & CARS charity auction for CAAF (Children Affected by AIDS Foundation):

Mattel Pixar Cars & Children Affected by AIDS Charity Auction

While Frank the Combine on eBay seems enticing, you might want to know that he’s very small and all plastic but there are some other options …

Mattel Pixar CARS Movie: Frank the Combine – eBay Warning

Too much money in your bank account – starting collecting the other CARS line …

NEW Mini Adventures CARS & Playsets

The Sarge Recall:

Mattel Recalls Pixar CARS Sarge Diecast Metal Car

Nothing very insightful about what’s coming but still good to know that CARS is bringing in money and everything is looking smooth.

Mattel Pixar Cars: 3rd Quarter 2007 Earnings-Financial Numbers

CARS 2, THE SEQUEL?

Yes, more speculation & answers on our part but the stars and other things seem to be syncing up for a 2011 sequel:

Pixar CARS 2 Sequel: Rumors, Rumors, Rumors