Photo: Mattel
Building up a Hot Wheels collection when you have a limitless budget is easy. The real challenge starts when you have to finish things without spending much money. There are many ways you can do that. But you'll need luck, patience, and skills to achieve similar results.
Buying in bulk is the best way to avoid overspending and to increase your collection quickly. Negotiating prices is more accessible, and you don't have to juggle multiple shipments. If you're bent on having hundreds or thousands of cars on display, here is one solution. Every year, Mattel comes up with an RLC-exclusive mainline box.
You could think of it as a Treasure box, and I'll support that statement with arguments. You may be aware of what the mainline series works like. Every year, Mattel releases 15 cases, each containing 72 cars. That adds up to 1,080 items. Of course, many of those are repeat-models. But you must also consider the Collector Edition vehicles and the store-specific models.
If you're keen on having a complete collection of these items, you'll need to be on the hunt constantly. That's part of the fun, but some people can't always afford the luxury of going to toy stores. You can always rely on buying the cars you want from someone else, but then you face increased costs.
Mattel's RLC-exclusive option feels like a gift from the Gods if you're as obsessed with this hobby as most of us are. But there is one major drawback you must acknowledge. It is a limited edition offer, and the diecast manufacturer only produces 1,250 sets. If you aren't aware of how difficult that makes it for everyone, let me give you an example.
Whenever an RLC-exclusive release for a single car with 30,000 units is available, the stock vanishes in less than 10 minutes. The Mainline Set is 24 times rarer than an average RLC car. I will try to use a stopwatch for the event, but I am willing to bet it will all be gone in 60 seconds. The set contains 448 cars, six fewer than the 2022 edition.
The list is impressive, including all 15 Treasure Hunt and Super Treasure collectibles of 2023. If you're lucky enough to buy this set, you will also have access to all the 50 new models Mattel unveiled last year. Inside the box, you'll also find the seven Collector Editions models I discussed recently- yes, the Porsche 993 GT2 is in there too! But wait, there's more. And this part will be even more exciting if you live outside the US. The RLC-exclusive set also brings 41 exclusive recolors with it.
You can own new Walmart-exclusive ZAMAC cars like the Pagani Huayra Roadster, the Kool Kombi, the '90 Honda Civic EF, and more. Then, think of the Target Red Edition specials. I've seen people fighting over the LB Super Silhouette Nissan Silvia (S15) and even the DMC DeLorean. The list continues, with 17 more items that appeared in Kroger, Dollar General, and Walgreens stores.
The set launches on January 16, 2024, at 9 AM PT and costs $600. Mattel has set the limit at one item per user, as you would expect. What troubles me is that you'll already see at least a dozen "Pre-orders" on eBay, some of which go as high as $1,400.
Meanwhile, someone is selling a 2018 master set for $2,495. I'll be happy if at least a few true collectors can directly get their hands on the new RLC set from Mattel. Sadly, scalpers will be all over it and might get most of them by using bots, and God knows what other methods.
You could think of it as a Treasure box, and I'll support that statement with arguments. You may be aware of what the mainline series works like. Every year, Mattel releases 15 cases, each containing 72 cars. That adds up to 1,080 items. Of course, many of those are repeat-models. But you must also consider the Collector Edition vehicles and the store-specific models.
If you're keen on having a complete collection of these items, you'll need to be on the hunt constantly. That's part of the fun, but some people can't always afford the luxury of going to toy stores. You can always rely on buying the cars you want from someone else, but then you face increased costs.
Mattel's RLC-exclusive option feels like a gift from the Gods if you're as obsessed with this hobby as most of us are. But there is one major drawback you must acknowledge. It is a limited edition offer, and the diecast manufacturer only produces 1,250 sets. If you aren't aware of how difficult that makes it for everyone, let me give you an example.
Whenever an RLC-exclusive release for a single car with 30,000 units is available, the stock vanishes in less than 10 minutes. The Mainline Set is 24 times rarer than an average RLC car. I will try to use a stopwatch for the event, but I am willing to bet it will all be gone in 60 seconds. The set contains 448 cars, six fewer than the 2022 edition.
The list is impressive, including all 15 Treasure Hunt and Super Treasure collectibles of 2023. If you're lucky enough to buy this set, you will also have access to all the 50 new models Mattel unveiled last year. Inside the box, you'll also find the seven Collector Editions models I discussed recently- yes, the Porsche 993 GT2 is in there too! But wait, there's more. And this part will be even more exciting if you live outside the US. The RLC-exclusive set also brings 41 exclusive recolors with it.
You can own new Walmart-exclusive ZAMAC cars like the Pagani Huayra Roadster, the Kool Kombi, the '90 Honda Civic EF, and more. Then, think of the Target Red Edition specials. I've seen people fighting over the LB Super Silhouette Nissan Silvia (S15) and even the DMC DeLorean. The list continues, with 17 more items that appeared in Kroger, Dollar General, and Walgreens stores.
The set launches on January 16, 2024, at 9 AM PT and costs $600. Mattel has set the limit at one item per user, as you would expect. What troubles me is that you'll already see at least a dozen "Pre-orders" on eBay, some of which go as high as $1,400.
Meanwhile, someone is selling a 2018 master set for $2,495. I'll be happy if at least a few true collectors can directly get their hands on the new RLC set from Mattel. Sadly, scalpers will be all over it and might get most of them by using bots, and God knows what other methods.
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