Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: SDCC Tuner Mater Exclusive Sneak Peek
Here’s a tip for budding photographers …
Maybe a low-res photo of your product in a beat-up box is not the best way to showcase something …
Because the box and CAR are actually quite nice and deserves some better photos …
(I didn’t say I would take them … I grabbed these while passing by on my Vespa drinking a cappuccino).
You can’t even see the TRY ME in the original photo – not to mention the lights are alluded to …
While the out wrap is cardboard, the black base is plastic and solid – you have to remove the battery cover to pull it off the display backing. Very classy – you get an ON-OFF switch and even three batteries … and instructions to never thrown away CARS items … the X over the garbage can … 🙂 … that is what that means, right?
What you also can’t tell from the photos is while the backing art is cardboard, it’s actually got some nice “3D” elements like awnings and signs that jut out so it’s actually a very nice display box.
As far as I can tell, they are not rubber tires* … I would have removed the CAR from the base but frankly, I could not figure out how. There are 5 screws at the bottom of the battery compartment, I’m presuming if you remove those, you can get to the two or three post screws holding Mater down but as I budgeted 15-minutes for a nap and not 15-minute Mater removal, sorry gotta stick to the schedule.
* I tapped on them with a screwdriver and they felt like plastic and not rubber plus no description mentions rubber tires.
So, here are some older pics…
And yea, the light up effect is very nice … a little hard to tell from these photos as of course, if you turn off the main light to see the tuner lights, you lose some resolution but it’s a nice display and much brighter lights than last year’s LED’s …
Glowly!
So, yea foiled again – if you thought the original photo was not a selling point, well, it only told about 30% of the picture. The CAR looks great and the lightup effect is actually quite nice and slick looking. So, while Tuner Mater is scheduled as an oversized, we don’t know if the paint will be luminescent or if the “flames’ are translucent so they will give the light up effect as they do here – plus with an on/off switch and regular batteries, this one is a nice display … in other words, after careful consideration**, I have to say this is the 311th buy recommendation … 🙂
** Nearly .8 seconds after pressing the TRY ME button.
Remember, SDCC ON-SITE pick pre-orders start tomorrow.
NON SDCC attendee ordering starts 8/2/2010.
Flame on Tokyo Mater!
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12 July 2010
30 Comments
Well that’s an improvement. Like everything else with this line lately, it’s still too little for far too much $.
So many movie-related characters that they could have used, why pick Tokyo Mater?
Anyone need a 2009 SDCC Rescue Squad Mater set, MIB?
I am totally getting one of these! It might not be what I would have picked to showcase for the SDCC but I think it looks great.
I would have like to seen Dragon Mcqueen in its own box too. Sell them both this year, but sadly it didnt happen
I will be on Matty’s page August 2nd for this!!! Thanks for the great photos!!!
Met,
three batteries, are they AAA?
are the lights led or regular small bulbs?
I ask because, the RS Mater red led lights, are still fine on the same batteries that came with the set. LED’s consume little power, so wondering if this set is LED or not.
(MET: AAA batteries – can’t tell on the LED’s – they are under Mater and can’t figure out how to remove Mater but they are very bright so I’m presuming LED’s).
Thanks, One more question. Size of the display box? Its hard to tell how big it is from the picture for scale.
(MET: Yes, smaller than 2009 – about 5.25″ long and 4″ deep).
Met, are you sure they’re AAA? It looks like the box says “Includes 3-AA Batteries”.
Yeap your right John, right side of the box says 3 AA batteries
So with 3 double AA batteries, I wonder if the lights are LED’s?
with such low voltage I bet it will be. I never took mine from last years apart, I know Met did some pics on it, was those LEDs?
Can anyone pick me up one of these?????
Nick:
I am going to SDCC for the sole purpose of getting items for TFAD people so if you want I can get you one and ship it. However these will be on Mattycollector.com too, just not sure if its going to be the “same version”.
Frequently Mattycollector/SDCC items are slightly or drastically different than the online releases.
Buzz Lightyear is a perfect example. he was supposed to be AT SDCC last year ONLY with “ANDY ” on the foot and barely one per case WAS with “ANDY” on the foot. Mattel really didnt tell everyone the full story on that one.
There is a markup from me for getting these “in hand” while at the show, standing in lines 2 to 6 hours a pop, walking up to 1/2 or 3/4 a mile (each way) to and from vehicles to store them, or just in the underground parking (if your lucky enough to get there in time.
and PLUS SHIPPING to you.
There are others that are going but I cannot speak for them.
nascarnbroncosfansATmsn.com
Thanks Nascar!
Hmm.. need to check my Buzz’s foot then, dont I????
Ok great thanks, I’ll let you know but I’ll probably get on matty…..!
your a good man on here, keep up the good work.
n
The only way to check Buzz is to open the black box and look. It will have a diecut hole in the bottom of the spaceship package.
5 photos starts here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31059714@N06/3790406913/in/photostream/
go to the right to view the other photos of Buzz package
I don’t bother with (a) Cars Toons, and (b) manufactured collectibles. I’ll stay with collecting retail toys. Looking at the stagnant inventory in every store for the Cars Toon line, they are headed for the junkyard. I cannot image a retailer dedicating a lot of peg space for this line in the future. Maybe if the big box retailers knew how to market the line with proper withdrawal of stagnant inventory and hanging fresh inventory the line could be saved for those who really like the line.
I feel the same – I am collecting (in a manner of speaking) the Toons – Tokyo is definitely my favorite but that is where it stops. I have all the RSM sets and the Dare Devil stuff (which is currently for sale.) I was excited at first… then this particular line has been a complete let down!! I am not sure to the logic of the releases of some of this stuff so I am pruning it down to just the Main Movie and Tokyo.
However – I am beginning to grow weary of the Mainline as well – I mean really…… what are the chances of the collection being complete before the release of Cars 2?
Also……..have to say – looking forward to C2 but NOT going to collect that line…….
it’s not the line, it’s the production and distribution.
What I don’t get is the fact that the Toons line and Color Changers get more retail space then the Final Lap line yet you can never get your hands on the Final Laps…most collectors are now getting the clerks at Target to hand them the cases from the warehouse. I too am guilty of this. This has been happening since the line was introduced. Wouldn’t you think they would have ramped up this line as it is clearly the winner? Too obvious? I have dreams of going into the store, seeing the merchandise I want on the pegs, and walking away happy. Dream a little dream…
You’re so right. The “Target” store in my area has only “Lenticulars” and about 50 “Vitoline Pittys”. I have yet to see a “Final Lap” car anywhere. When I ask, all I’m told is this is what they have on hand and that’s it. Sad, because I’m not a fan of the “Lenticulars” and “The Color Changers”. I usually purchase via ebay and other web sites. How about you?
Nice!
I have a bunch on preorders from others that were wondering. very cool piece Met, thanks
No thanks. Canon only.
No way… Pass on the “Toons” line…. You all can have it.
although it does look nice… I too am passing on it. I had to draw the line at the Toons.
One for me… to keep in the box.
They should have done the Convoy Brothers.
Me too…finished collecting anything “Toons” related.
No thanks. I’ll pass on this.
very nice, and definitely worth $20.