roll a D6:
1-3, Rail Racer.
4-6 Optimal.

just go borrow some RPG dice from some geek and take your chances.

but me, i'd go with Rail Racer. (i am not a BW fan, for the record.)

 

I sold my Rail Racer years ago and don't miss it. Overrated toy in my opinion. My Op Op though, I still have and will never willingly part with.

 

I haven't owned either of them despite loving BW and RiD (they just didn't sell those here). I think Rail Racer looks better in combined mode, but the individual figures aren't very good... at least in bot mode. Optimal Optimus is a great all-around figure on the other hand. I think i'd go for Railracer, but just for personal preference. It really seems like you want Optimal so, go for it!

If however, you're planning to get both eventually anyway, go for Railracer first as he seems to be rarer.

 

i never liked BW toys. fugly toys they are.

rail racer looks better.

 

I'm going to have to say Optimal Optimus. WAY more solid and stable. Rail Racer is a bit overrated. Can't really do much with him. He's a statue. But he does look good.

 

I have a used Rail Racer, and he's pretty floppy. Very cool, rare (in my circles) but not a play thing.

Optimal Optimus is more common and fun to play with. He loses points however for the lack of real altmodes. Still for his roll in the Beast Wars he's a good piece in the collection.

No bad choices here.

Get Rail Racer. You'll see many Optimi when you are in the market again.

 

I'd say rail racer, has the bonus of combining, and is much more collectible IMO.

 

Good call going for Rail Racer, that is a masterpiece of a combiner.