The Not-Top-Ten: Biggest Disappointments From 2016

Each year, all collectors set one common goal: to be more selective in what they buy. That means being more methodical in choosing what to collect, filtering out the bad models, not buying into the hype, and collecting solely what one likes. Some have techniques they use to minimize poor decisions - a common one is to walk around the store with car in hand, ultimately deciding you don't really need it, and walking out empty-handed. This is a method I use all the time and it works like a charm. I also like to think this way: Would I rather order that Kyosho I saw on the forum or take this handful of Hot Wheels?

As idealistic as we try to be, by the end of the year, we always end up with dozens of cars that make you go "what was I thinking?". Those are the ones we wish we could have back. Some model are good but not great. In some instances, the appeal of a new model quickly dies down not long after you take it home.

Here, I will list the ten models from 2016 that disappointed me the most. Unlike the previous list featuring the ten best, there are far fewer cars to choose from this time around. Obviously, because no one goes out and intentionally grabs all the lemons. There were also a number of unsatisfactory models that have since been passed on to others. Not all of these are bad models, but they're the ones needing major improvements.

#10

Hot Wheels - Datsun Fairlady 2000

Can you say o-ver-ra-ted? I just don't see it. What this model is is a vintage, classic car with widebody kit, lowered suspension, decals, and modern sport wheels. Do you throw flared fenders on a Ferrari 250 GTO and slam it to the ground? Never, and you shouldn't do it to the Fairlady 2000 either. And can we get rid of two-tone wheels already? A nice, stock Fairlady with some lace wheels would've been wonderful, you know...

#9

Tomica Premium - Subaru Impreza STi 22B

The 22B is a legendary car that no one outside of Kyosho has made recently in 1/64. Then, Tomica introduced it to their Premium line, looking to save the day. Except they didn't quite get the job done; to be cheesy, I'd say the operation was a success but the patient died. The wheels on the 22B look awful, which is a shame because the details on this model are superb.

#8

Hot Wheels Car Culture "Euro Style" - Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The GT3 RS is a fine casting that hasn't been used to its full potential, in my opinion, outside of the First Edition releases. This iteration is a bland mess, if that makes any sense, marred by tacky decals throughout the car. The lone weak link of the fantastic Euro Style series.

#7

Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment "Forza Motorsports" - Ford Falcon XB

I'm not fond of this livery because there's nothing here that screams Forza to me. It's like Hot Wheels took a design that was slated to be in the mainline, slapped the Forza logo on the doors, and called it a day. Unimaginative and boring.

#6

Greenlight - Nissan GT-R (R35)

It's funny how quickly my opinion shifted on this model. I thought I was the luckiest man alive when I found my first one, the Black Bandit release, on the pegs. It had its share of flaws, but it was a darn nice model then. And then I treated myself to the TLV version, which became the new kid on the block. Side by side, the Greenlight looks like rubbish, lacking the aggressive nature of the true Godzilla. Even then, my fanboy roots won't stop me from coming back for more.

#5

Matchbox - Lamborghini LM002

Matchbox does a fine job, as always, replicating the most unusual cars and keeping them in stock form. But that flat red paint job is such an eyesore. Not a huge fan of the Rambo Lambo myself, so this was one I should've skipped.

#4

Hot Wheels "BMW" Series - BMW M1

Hey look, the M1 is back! Oh wait, Hot Wheels done goofed with the paint job and hideous stripes. You could actually say that about the entire series. In fact, all of the Walmart-exclusive series put out in the past couple years have been forgettable. I get treated to a dump bin full of ugly every time I walk in there. Who's designing these models anyways?

#3

Hot Wheels "Exotics" 5-Pack - Alfa Romeo 8C 

I like the 8C, but the casting just never looked right. I have never seen an Alfa Romeo in lime green. Furthermore, I've never seen one with stripes either. This one features both and the result is appalling. 5-packs are always a mixed bag, with one or two great models and a bunch of filler in the other slots. I never understood why a fiver can't have, you know, five nice models; after all, it doesn't cost more to produce a red, stripe-less Alfa than a green, striped one.

#2

Hot Wheels Car Culture "Redliners" - '69 Corvette Racer

The 'Vette was a new model for 2016 and easily beats out generics for worst-new-model-of-the-year awards. The proportions are cartoonish and the model has a plasticky look to it, from the front bumper to the roll cage. The colorways put out so far haven't been kind, as you can see here in a garish yellow with matching wheels. The racing livery is messy. Bleh.

#1

Johnny Lightning "Classic Gold" Series 2 - Datsun 280ZX

There was never a doubt which model would take the top spot on this list. The main issue with this Z is the enormous gap in the rear fenders. I've been told that older releases have sported large wheels in the back, and Johnny Lightning tried to be realistic by fitting the same-sized wheels all around without retooling the casting.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Alright, that's enough negativity for one post. It's 2017, which means it's time for some new models. Be on the lookout for this cat very, very soon.

2016 Top Ten: A Quick Rundown of my Favorites from the Past Year

It's been a great year to say the least, one that's been dramatically different than any others that I've been in this hobby (if I recall, it's been about 8 years of serious collecting now). I've ditched my embargo with online purchases, filtered out a large portion of my collection that I didn't care for, filled it in with cars I liked more, and quickly started up a whole new collection in a different scale. Need I mention that this blog was started in early 2016? We live in the moment, but this has undoubtedly been the best year yet.

Let's look back at some of the best from 2016. All brands, scales, and models that have released in this past year (even if they were "technically" 2015 or 2017 models) were eligible to make this list. Some have had an entire post dedicated to them; others have gone under the radar, but never forgotten. Ten through one, here we go.

#10

Hot Wheels Car Culture "Euro Style" - Volkswagen Golf MK7

This is my selection for the Car Culture releases. There have been hits and misses, and for the most part, each subsequent series has been worse than the previous one, with the Japan Historics never seeing the light of day around here and the Redliners being easily the most disappointing in recent memory. Euro Style held its own amongst the best, and while everyone was going nuts over the E30 M3 and the Porsches, I couldn't get enough of the Golf. Perfect color, perfect wheels on a brand new (and realistic) casting. Last time I checked, those are the three most critical components of what makes a model great, and this one meets all of the criteria.

#9

Johnny Lightning Classic Gold Series 2 - Chevrolet Monza

Johnny Lightning came back in 2016 and brought back some of their classic castings. For those who didn't collect during their first stint, folks like me were drawn in to cars that we had never heard of before. In general, they were a bit overpriced, and some lacked a premium feel, but that didn't stop me from getting both colorways of this model. To this day, I still don't know what a Chevorlet Monza is, and I wouldn't be able to identify one without seeing the badge.

The Jeep Wagoneer could've easily taken this spot, but I liked the Monza just a tad more.

#8

Tomica Limited Vintage NEO - Lancia Delta Integrale

My TLV nomination was not one of the many, and I say many, Skylines that were released this year. Instead, it's this little red hatchback by a company that the average person has never heard of before. Having never seen a Delta in person before, it feels like I'm looking at the real thing anyways when it comes to this model. As expected, TLV shines with the detailing and realism they put into their models. I just didn't expect to like this one that much, giving it a slight edge over the slew of R35's that I will never get tired of.

#7

GT Spirit - Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R (1/18)

Not only is the GT350R the most exciting real car of the year, a scale model of one is also a no-brainer to make this list. This Euro-exclusive colorway, in proper Ford blue, is a stunner to say the least. GT Spirit has leaped from a "what? who?" to my favorite eighteenth scale brand with just a handful of models under my belt because they're that good. They make you forget you just dropped a load of money on a bunch of plastic. Who needs opening parts when you can't even make it past the exterior without passing out?

#6

Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment "Gran Turismo" - Nissan Concept 2020 Vision GT

If there's a single model that completely came out of nowhere and exceeded expectations, in my eyes, this is the one. First of all, no one expected Hot Wheels to make the Vision GT. Secondly, I expected this model to be completely irrelevant having already owned the TLV rendition of this video-game fantasy car. You know what though, I prefer the former over the latter. In my opinion, the best Retro Entertainment release, and it doesn't come close. Keep sleeping on it.

#5

Tarmac Works - 2017 Nissan GT-R (R35) (1/18)

Spoiler alert: this isn't the first time you'll be seeing this car today. I'm unashamedly an avid R35 fan, and this is my fourth in 1/18. As a model, this is my favorite yet, and that bright orange color may have something (or a lot) to do with it. Also, the details. The execution. The complete package. From a brand that isn't even a major player in the diecast market, Tarmac Works has put themselves on my radar with this impressive model of the car I fantasize about day and night. I just posted about it not too long ago, so you can read all of my acclaims there.

#4

Tomica Premium - Honda S2000 Type S

Watching the Tomica Premium line grow has been one of the more exciting developments of the past year. It started out with few hits and many misses, but they've been pretty much all head shots since then, with none better than the S2000 Type S, or S2000 CR as they're called here in the states. Premium models have had their share of flaws, but I couldn't find any here. No droopiness caused by the suspension. The proportions are bang-on. The wheels are the correct size for once, with a realistic offset to give it that aggressive sports car look that all the others lack. This is the perfect example of how to do premium.

#3

Matchbox "Best of World" Series 2: Mercedes-Benz CLS

This singular model represents so many things about everything positive regarding Matchbox's current state. The evolution of the "Best of World" premium line, which for Series 2 now includes more castings that collectors actually want. The reintroduction of some of Matchbox's best castings, the ones that have gone into hibernation for the past decade. The return of Mercedes-Benz to not only the orange brand, but to both Mattel brands. The borrowing of wheels from big brother Hot Wheels, a decision which I'm not 100% on board with, but has undeniably excellent results. Look, I'm just glad to be able to have more of these Benzes in the collection. I love the first-gen CLS, and it's one of the greatest 4-door designs of all time.

#2

AUTOart - Nissan Fairlady Z (S30) Wangan Midnight "Akuma no Z" (1/18)

I think it's fair to say that there hasn't been a more hyped 1/18 model this year than AUTOart's Devil Z. With great hype comes great expectations, and any slight blemish is considered failure. There's no failure here. I got this model because I liked the Wangan Midnight movie that much. It never gets old, and neither does staring at this model. Vintage, classic cars are completely out of my collecting range for eighteenths, but that didn't stop me from putting this in second place. Don't be surprised if, by this time next year, you see its rival on the top ten list as well.

#1

Tomica - 2017 Nissan GT-R (R35)

There is no better non-premium casting of the R35 than the one Tomica makes. The original one, in silver, remains my favorite casting of all time, with the Ultimate Opal Black SpecV, in Tomica Limited trim, being my top model ever. Scroll up to the main blog photo and it's right there, front and center. And now it's been updated for the 2017 model year, retaining all of the same qualities that made it a personal favorite. The proportions are still dead-on. The front grille detailing remains unmatched. Not much has changed, but you never mess with a good thing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So that rounds out my top ten favorite models of 2016. With every good model, there's always a bad one, so look out for a not-top-ten list soon!