I agree. All the '86 move/s3/s4/Headmasters/Targetmasters cars based on Cybertronian design (so this would exclude guys like Runabout/Runamuck/Stepper etc) are bigger in size than earth vehicles. I guess MP28 had to pass the "fit inside MP10 trailer" test.

 

Related: Group polarization - Wikipedia

On topic, I own MP-28, but am looking to sell it on. I like parts of it, but the whole just doesn't jive together. The sandwich board chest looks terrible, and complete lack of definition in his trademark collar/"v-neck" is baffling. (What is the obsession with flat???) The backpack is meh, the head is great, proportions (especially shoulders-to-hips) are just plain bad. I also did not enjoy having to future the chrome, lest he end up like my Ironhide (which had that "vintage 80's worn chrome" look after one freaking transformation   ). Hoodlum looks better overall IMO but still whiffs on some things. Psychosi's digibash makes a lot of improvements, but who knows if FT is open to design tweaks, or if they're even viable.

tl;dr I don't have a Hot Rod in my MP collection because neither option at this time really wows me.

 

Issues with mp 28 aside (mostly that stomach area, and the sonewhat awkward legs), he still is one of my favorite masterpieces to transform. It just feels fun.

 

I own it but I disagree with you... his upper body is noticeably thicker than his lower body, and his legs, in addition to looking skinny, are also MOLDED WRONG (his knee should have a round knob on the side, like MP-9).

That is BY FAR my least favorite MP toy in terms of actually executing the robot. It's a very nice car and the paint deco looks nice, but I will EAGERLY buy Hoodlum AS SOON as it drops.

 

It's really only the thighs (and knees, I guess) that seem oddly thin, likely because they have to collapse into the lower legs for transformation. The lower legs themselves are also a little on the slim side (to keep the alt mode small/slim), but not to the point of really being an issue. Other than that, his proportions are pretty solid. And, honestly, thin thighs is a pretty common oddity among Cybertronians. It's why so many of them look kind of like they're wearing big-ass knee-high boots.

IMO MP-28's biggest issues are the bits of kibble sticking up behind his head and the oddly assembled and over-flat torso. Both of which, I think, could have been addressed with some changes to the chest/hood and transformation. Though, that would require ditching the matrix-gimmick.

On the flip side, Hoodlum's biggest issues for me are the alt mode (which looks like a kiddy toy version of Hot Rod's sleek alt mode), the head sculpt, the weird baby-hands proportions of the arms, and still not nailing the chest. Like, at least I understand why MP-28's chest is so flat, but Hoodlum is using a fake chest, so it should look fantastic, not just better. Also Hoodlum's back and spoiler-wing don't look as nice as MP-28's, though that's a minor thing.

I really hope we see some updates on this guy (and Arcee) at TFCon US, if not before. Because a few alterations would make me way more exited for him.

 

They should of just remade the first hotrod MP... figure is pretty trash but looks 100x better then the new crap tiny hotrod that fits in no collection. Hot rod is one of my favorite characters and a part of me died when they remade him worse.

 

Less than Tracks? :O

 

Yeah I mean whether Tracks or a subsequent releases; TT was king before MP-25 ... now it's the world of good enough, and hey Chinese 3P IP pirates, save our childhood ...thank god for FT a million times ....

 

Wheres my fanstoys inferno, still waiting on xtb.

 

I have MP-28, he only looks good in vehicle mode, mine never gets transformed because, just like Tracks, I absolutely hate both of their bot modes.

 

Like I said, I wasn't getting TT Hot Rod 2.0, and that meant never. I have seen it in person and I have watched reviews of it and I couldn't unsee the horrendous proportions. Regardless of whether or not reviewers highlight the issues is irrelevant to me so when I watch the reviews I could honestly watch them on mute and get my take on it. Unlike the initial images of Tracks, the camera angles only highlight the problems with Hot Rod. I have yet to see one picture that makes it look proportional.

Also, the chest and backpack ARE problems #1 and #2 for me. The oversized arms and undersized legs only highlight how top heavy the figure looks. I'd rather have a less accurate face sculpt with better overall proportions and FT Hoodlum has that. I have never been disappointed with any of my FansToys figures but the same can't be said for Official MP figures.

 

I picked up a used mp28. I can't get it to roll properly in alt mode, I don't love his size or proportions. He stands in front of Mp 09 in my case. Both Waiting for the day hoodium becomes real

 

but, but all the pursists say that official Takara Tomy are perfect and the 3Ps are crap when compared to them.

 

yep

 

Nah... not really

 

No one says mp28 is perfect but persecutory delusions are real.

 

I still find it AMAZING that the "Official" 2.0 take on Hot Rod has horrendous proportions in comparison to their first try. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they could have just redesigned a few areas, improved tolerances, and downsized Rodimus 1.0 and it would have been better than Hot Rod 2.0.

 

Went to tfsource and their listing for the pre-order is sold out. It also says the expected release date is October. Did I miss the boat on the pre-order?

 

You didn't miss anything. That's a placeholder entry that's been up for ages. TCP has the same kind of listing. It's generally being listed as an October release but I don't think that's real. He's never been up for any actual preorders anywhere that I'm aware of, and there are other figures in the pipeline way before Hoodlum. Kup's release was pushed back due to their Omega Supreme, and they have Springer and at least one more I'm blanking on that are closer to production. There hasn't even been a colored test shot of Hoodlum yet.

It's possible we'll get some info on him at the upcoming TFCon but given how quiet the last TFCon was for news and reveals I'd not put any money on it.

 

WAY less than Tracks. Tracks is hollow and doesnt peg together firmly, but posed on my shelf it still looks/feels like it IS Tracks... even if a 3p came out with a superior toy, I'd probably pass since my collection is mainly about display and it looks the part. Mp-28 isn't "really" Hot Rod to me.