So I get on ebay to find a G1 Optimus Prime. For some reason, of all my original TFs, Prime strangely went missing and I would like to have one for nostalgia's sake.

But the prices and options are all over the place. I saw everything from about $15 for just Prime with no hands, $30 for a complete set in box, to over $100.

So I turn to you all for help.

I don't need 100% Vintage. I don't need anything extravagant. I just want a nice G1 Prime that looks like the original. And I don't care to spend a fortune.

So what do you recommend?

 

Well, there's the KO option, which I hear is pretty good (about 40-50 euros; should be similarly priced in dollars). Of course, there is also the option of making do with an incomplete Prime. Just make sure that he has the fists: buying those separately is often an expensive option.

 

Kbb mp10v it's like 40$ and perfect

 

When you say "it needs to look like the original, I took the Masterpiece option out, so Im assuming it is the G1 toy. In that case, either the Encore from 2008 or the New years Prime from 2002 (I presume) are the best option out there, being the Encore more true to the original as this one has the yellow eyes and tampoos symbols that the 2002 edition doesn't have.

However, the 2002 edition comes with a number of goodies like a mousepad, the action master Optimus and a matrix of leadership, along with blue eyes and blue windshield.

 

The KO is OK, but it is definitely not "pretty good". Note, I'm not arguing with you, just stating what I've seen from the one I own. I have the current KO prime and a the most recent reissue, and I'd advise OP to get the most recent reissue for about 50% more. My KO's trailer is warped, both guns came bent, the fists don't fit snugly and his head doesn't come all the way down in robot mode without forcing it. Plus the legs lay weird so he doesn't roll right. That said, the original 80's box is a nice touch, and I can feel OK leaving him on my desk at work without worry of losing much if he disappears.

OP: the KO goes for about $40-$50 US on eBay, the most recent reissue (from Hasbro Asia) goes for about $80. There's a huge uptick in quality going with the official one, especially considering how little it costs. At the moment, there are none up on ebay but the few that sold over Christmas sold for about that price. OP: you're looking for the "commemorative" version that was first released in 2002, but was put out again last year in China. Here's what it looks like:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Transforme...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Note that it says "Commemorative Series 1" right on top of the "Optimus Prime" on the front. The ones that are all over eBay for $40-$50 that have G1 packaging will disappoint you.

 

Thanks! This gives me somewhere to start.

I'll take any other advice too!

 

I wish they'd reissue G1 Prime with the cab from the Device Label version where they gave him a new head.

The Device Label version goes for ridiculous prices on EBay. While I've never been a fan of the character, the G1 toy is timeless.

 

Id go for the 25th anniversary reissue version, if you dont mind short smokestacks, you can get one under $50

 

If you specifically mean the G1 toy, I'd go for the Commemorative Series release.

 

+1 for this.

 

There's also always the option of Pepsi Convoy/Pepsi Optimus Prime. The Convoy version has long stacks whereas the OP version has short stacks. But you can get one new and sealed for $80-100 shipped on ebay right now. The main difference between the original and the Pepsi version is the trailer, of which is a flatbed trailer with a holder for a 20oz soda bottle. The neat thing with that, though, is that you can store his fists and gun underneath it...a feature missing from the original Prime refer-trailer.

 

Classics/Universe/Henkei/United/Generations/Legends/GDO/Timelines/Reveal the Shield/Combiner Wars/Titans Return/Unite Warriors/Power of the Primes is where it's at Mack.

 

If I wanted a g1 optimus, I'd probably just buy it off ebay, transformerland.com, or something similar.
If you do not need a 100% complete Optimus, just want the basics, you should be able to find a decent one on ebay for fairly cheap. There are also plenty of reissue/encore versions as well.

Hasbro/Takara are also long over due for a reissue, so I'd expect a g1 reissue to be released in the platinum line soon.

 

Hm...Interesting, quite the opposite on mine really. The only problem it has is that there is some some blue overspray on his nose and there is a distinctive 'waving' on the trailers colour. Other than that I had no problems. You might say that there is a 'problem' with his colour since the originals blue parts (fists legs roller etc) dont match the KO and vice versa.

Also since the purpose of buying it was in order to fix the crane arm on my original, I found out that every single damn part is a mm larger than the official.

 

And how would I know what the Commemorative Series is?

 

A reissue of the g1 toy essentially with shortened smokestacks, and elongated/retooled missiles for the combat deck to meet safety standards. And a different box.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/tf.images/reduced-image_5708_106.jpg

 

Are there any 3rd party accessories to fix the short stacks? I dunno about him, but that'd be a deal breaker for me. 's why MP01 was one of the few things I went takara on. People say long stacks are prone to breakage but my OP from Christmas 84 is still intact as is my UM from a couple years later. And MP01, of course.

 

Νone that I know of. You could always buy a junker or a KO and replace them if it bothers you. Regarding their breakage, well its a long thin piece pointing out so.....My original had one snapped but I glued it back in.

 

I hope you buy a nice Optimus Prime, the ones I find tend to treat me like shit, use me and walk away.