[AJ Quick]

Mattel is releasing a new version of the Hot Wheels Ecto-1, that will be available exclusively at San Diego Comic Con. Here is a first look at the new version, which differs greatly from the one you may find in stores. This version includes a different and better paint job that helps to change the look. The windows are no longer tinted blue, and the light bars are painted. The wheels are also more like the originals. It comes in a clear display case and in a collectible box that resembles a Ghost Trap.

The Hot Wheels version of the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 has been one of the most hotly sought after castings in the 2010 main line at retail. As a result, Hot Wheels decided to create the most detailed 1:64 version of the Ecto-1 to date and sell it at SDCC. Featuring a die-cast body, die-cast chassis, Real Rider tires, and a box that looks like Ghostbusters ghost trap, it'll be sure to sell out fast. While supplies last.

Source: SDCC Mattel Exclusives

[Kingpin]

Previously-mentioned but unseen until now, the SDCC website has posted a photo of the "Collector's" Hotwheels Ecto-1, featuring a more extensive paint application:



To be perfectly honest... although I've had vert scant experience with Hotwheels to date, for a $20 price tag I was expecting a bit more care to have been taken... they just went to town with that silver paint.

[CaptCyan]

And you would still have to paint the roof rack and ladder black. On the plus side, they're don't cost much more than a regular one on eBay.

[SlimeGuy]

I'm actually really surprised how low they're going for on eBay now. Some for as low as 3 bucks a few weeks back.

[Gareee]

THIS is what they should have released originally. I'll be damned if I'll pay $20 for something they should have done for a buck.

Looks like they just added some minor paint ops, cast the windows in clear instead of blue, and cast the roof rack/ladder in silver plastic.

I wonder if they added the back door logo as well, or if they forgot to add that?

[elsoldao7]

The Tires/Wheels look great! The paint job looks alot better but I'm not too crazy for all the silver paint. I would like to see the Ghost Trap box & if they applied the logo to the back door. But overall, for $20, I think I'll pass.

[Zander Yurami]

Looks cool, but so not worth it.

[Doctor Venkman]

I'm actually really surprised how low they're going for on eBay now. Some for as low as 3 bucks a few weeks back.

Of the SDCC version? Not the regular store version?

If someone sold these for $3 they're gonna take quite the hit on the resale.

[AJ Quick]

I'll be damned if I'll pay $20 for something they should have done for a buck?

Sorry Gareee. This is meant for Collectors and diehard fans. I'm sure it will be worth $100 in a year on eBay.

They cannot even make money on the Ecto-1 they do sell for a dollar. How are they gonna do it on something that requires more work?

[Zander Yurami]

I'll be damned if I'll pay $20 for something they should have done for a buck?

Sorry Gareee. This is meant for Collectors and diehard fans. I'm sure it will be worth $100 in a year on eBay.

They cannot even make money on the Ecto-1 they do sell for a dollar. How are they gonna do it on something that requires more work?

More work? What? An extra 2 minutes? This is almost as big of a let down as the RGB figure.

[Kingpin]

Heh, well... maybe it's $3 for the toy, another $3 for the extra paint job, and $14 for the display box.

[Zander Yurami]

You can get a display box at Wal-Mart for about $.50 XD
(they come in a pack of 3 for 1.50)

[rapidtransit]

I'll be damned if I'll pay $20 for something they should have done for a buck?

Sorry Gareee. This is meant for Collectors and diehard fans. I'm sure it will be worth $100 in a year on eBay.

They cannot even make money on the Ecto-1 they do sell for a dollar. How are they gonna do it on something that requires more work?

Already going for $60 to $80 on Ebay today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adam Bestler]

Money Money Money! . . . pathetic.

[Zander Yurami]

really? wow.... What idiot would pay that much for a toy that STILL doesn't look right?

[Gareee]

I'll be damned if I'll pay $20 for something they should have done for a buck?

Sorry Gareee. This is meant for Collectors and diehard fans. I'm sure it will be worth $100 in a year on eBay.

They cannot even make money on the Ecto-1 they do sell for a dollar. How are they gonna do it on something that requires more work?

I'm sure the hotwheels collectors WILL go nuts over this.. they spend far more for other exclusives.

How you can say they do not make money on the regular version is beyond me. Its no more detailed (and far less detailed) then any other hotwheels cars, some licensed, just like the ecto is.

Mattel doesn't make hotwheels to not make money, and I suspect your comment was just made up out of thin air.

[Zander Yurami]

They cannot even make money on the Ecto-1 they do sell for a dollar.

That is bull and you know it. Only way I would believe that is if I saw Ectos on the pegs when I go to stores. I have yet to see any. All mine have come from family or friends online.

I know people here in Dallas that bought 5-10 each from different store, then cut the roof-rack off and moded it to be a normal car.

They are making money on these, and they just wanna milk it some more with this overpriced one at SDCC.

Yeah, it looks cool, but still not worth even $5

[Adam Bestler]

I'll be damned if I'll pay $20 for something they should have done for a buck?

Sorry Gareee. This is meant for Collectors and diehard fans. I'm sure it will be worth $100 in a year on eBay.

They cannot even make money on the Ecto-1 they do sell for a dollar. How are they gonna do it on something that requires more work?

I'm sure the hotwheels collectors WILL go nuts over this.. they spend far more for other exclusives.

How you can say they do not make money on the regular version is beyond me. Its no more detailed (and far less detailed) then any other hotwheels cars, some licensed, just like the ecto is.

Mattel doesn't make hotwheels to not make money, and I suspect your comment was just made up out of thin air.

1. Yes, the Hotwheels fans will go nuts over anything that their respective masters produce.

2. They're Hotwheels. They can make any little toy car they want, and people will still buy it, no matter how inaccurate it is.

[Doctor Venkman]

Mattel doesn't make hotwheels to not make money, and I suspect your comment was just made up out of thin air.

Nope, they just make the Ghostbusters figures to not make money, lol.

[elsoldao7]

Still not worth the $20 as is. Maybe depending on the Ghost Trap box, if its metal and opens up or somthing, or if the interiors were painted. But just going by the pic, the case, wheels, clear windos or the silver roof rack are not enough for the $19 increase.

[Dan AKA]

I'm going nuts over this thing. My only real regret is I wont be able to pick one up. I would love to own this for my desk or a book shelf, and for 20 bucks? What the hell, sign me up. Looks great to me.

If any of you killjoys are going to SDCC and don't want to pick one up, I'll gladly pay 30 to you to cover shipping one to me.

[Zander Yurami]

Mattel doesn't make hotwheels to not make money, and I suspect your comment was just made up out of thin air.

Nope, they just make the Ghostbusters figures to not make money, lol.

case and point


XD

[Adam Bestler]

Plastic crap . . .

[AJ Quick]

More work? What? An extra 2 minutes?

Is labor free? Do you even know what an extra 2 minutes equates to on a run of 10,000 units (a likely number)? Those extra 2 minutes each equate to 13 days of production time on one line, or with one person doing the work.

Now I'm sure Mattel uses an automated process or, semi-automated to produce these. So it may not actually be 2 minutes each.. but it is something. And that something costs money.

There are a few things Mattel can do to improve the appearance and they are doing it here on this exclusive.

However the real reason Mattel does not make as much money as they do on other regular cars... (yes.. EVEN LOSE money on every Ecto-1 sold). Is because of a thing called licensing. On the Ecto-1 they have to pay: Sony, Cadillac, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ivan Rietman.. hell maybe even Steven Dane.

On this SDCC exclusive they probably also have to pay for the rights to use the wheels / tires since they make a point of mentioning them as well. It all adds up.

Mattel doesn't make hotwheels to not make money, and I suspect your comment was just made up out of thin air.

Made up out of thin air? Kinda like almost all of your arguements and posts?

I have talked with Mattel about this before. They do not make very much (if any) money on the Ecto-1 Hot Wheels. That is why you will only find one in a case. You will never see it in 6, 12, or 24 packs of Hot Wheels.

Yes Mattel makes money. However if they sold a case of Ecto-1 they would not. They depend on freely licensed cars like VW Beetles and Hot Wheels custom creations to make up for the difference.

They may sell a case for $50 and still make a profit. But that does not mean they are making a profit on one single Ecto-1. There could be a ton of cars that cost 20 cents to make. The Ecto-1 might cost $1.50 to make. Average them out and you make a profit.

Its Business 101.

I do think the Hallmark Ecto-1 was a good deal for the money. But this is a much rarer collectible with an extremely limited release. Most of you will never have a chance to own one, unless you are shelling out double the cost on eBay. Withhold the comments about you not paying $20 for one.. because you will never be able to pay that much unless you go to SDCC.

[elsoldao7]

I don't remember who, (I think it was Pete Venkman Jedi), customized his HW Ecto with a little paint & effort & it looked 10 times better than this.

[AJ Quick]

On a side note.

Isn't this die-cast? Aren't the regular ones plastic? Metal isn't cheaper either.

[Zander Yurami]

Withhold the comments about you not paying $20 for one.. because you will never be able to pay that much unless you go to SDCC.

I have a few buddies that are going to SDCC and I can ask them to all to pick one up for me for free. I am not gonna do that because it is just a repaint, and not even a good one at that.


elsoldao7: You're right. His looks a lot better.

[rapidtransit]

Well you only live once.I just bought one of the pre-orders.Turns out the guy I'm getting the SDCC minimates from is also doing this.I already have all the Johnny Lightnings,the Fuji film car,the 3 Hot Wheels versions.No way I'm missing out on this one.

[Zander Yurami]

Maybe I will get my buddies to get me a few. Then I could sell them for $60 each

[rapidtransit]

That's the spirit.