I have to disagree 100% here.... but hear me out.

First, I am NOT a Hot Rod fan. I don't "hate" the basics of the character but I never cared about it.

Character wise: to me, he's the annoying character in the movie that gets Prime killed and then goes on whining throughout the rest of the movie and then the rest of the series. Comic book wise, the character still never appealed to me at all. So I see him as a secondary character that was to be the new "hip" and young leader that they failed getting the proper appeal for him to outshine Prime and stick with people (aside a few fans).

Toy wise: the G1 was a brick, between the colours, the "flames" and such, he was an attempt to be a flashy and shiny thing that Hasbro wished that it would be the type that would appear to kids... and that failed. Since then, every version of the toy never looked right nor appealing.

The POPTP came really close, but 1) the POTP plastic is crap, and I fear something snapping every time I touch my Prime, which is one figure I regret spending over 50$ on, 2) it's way oversized to fit with anything else, and I'd want/need it to be is the Siege, ER scale.

I had stated as one time that should a version that nails the look correctly, I would be interested (same thing with Bumblebee).

This toy appears to be it, just like the coming Bumblebee, I'm actually interested in these to be part of my collection. They look right, the look good, they have the proper articulation (though this guy appears to have limited range with the shoulders, which is the biggest con I see aside the giant oversized wing).

So yes, this is "new" as those you used as example are so flawed that I don't see them as even proper attempts to be "hot Rod" figures. This figure is the first non-3rd party that I've seen that makes me want to get it. So 35 years and this IS the first actual Hot Rod that I see fit for my collection.

 

MP-09 is a joyless, unstable, damage-prone nightmare to transform - and that's before you factor in the engineering and tolerance problems. That one and MP-05 were probably my all-time worst TF purchases in terms of money wasted and lack of enjoyment.

POTP was a breath of fresh air by comparison because you could actually put it through its paces, and quickly, without feeling like it was about to shatter.

 

I bought Rodimus Unicronus and thought I’d like it even for the Evil Hot Rod mode. It was a challenge. Combined shoulder articulation and loose knees aside, even the basic evil Hot Rod by itself looked and felt cheap.

This SS86 Hot Rod doesn’t look cheap compared to POTP Hot Rod. The latter suffered from budget compromise for a combining gimmick. This new Hot Rod is sold as a voyager and trying its damndest to justify it. The effort shows more with this one, even if I don’t like the price.

 

Hasbro/Takara has definitely outdone themselves with this release - this is an amazing figure for the price point. Now I'm wondering at the possibilities of other figures from the 86' Movie - the Dinobots are going to be sure buys if they're anything like these initial figures.

 

It's not perfect (especially the yellow plastic all over the place), but damn does this look good. I want it. Now if only we could get a truly Masterpiece-worthy Hot Rod that doesn't make sacrifices for dumb gimmicks or has horrible QC issues.

 

I'm surprised not one person gave 9.5. Usually that's what I see all the time.

 

im surprised one person didnt give 5 or 6, that would be truly accurate

 

I agree with the mini masterpiece statement!

 

Definitely in for buying two of this guy! Maybe buy three to have it displayed in vehicle and robot mode plus one to stay in package.

 

studio series gives the opportunity to make varying price points to give us the characters we want that may not fit one of the typical sizes you see in generations

 

I hope Hasbro will make SG Rodimus.

 

Woooooo! 

 

I\'m soo getting this!

 

Don\'t understand why this can\'t be released in the Earthrise line or during Kingdom, chug is chug.

Hasbro really stepping up their game, never seen the sculpts this good. 

 

Looks great. Damn, I'm trying to get out of this hobby (or at least cut way back) and here's a new line trying to pull me in again.

 

This may be the best Hod Rod we have ever gotten, but it's pretty silly to call it "perfect" with that fake chest.

 

I need this so badly. Dark Hot Rod and Black Hot Rod when? Please Hasbro.

 

Fixed.

 

I would have liked to be able to have the flames coming out of the exhaust pipes on his arms... doesn't look like it can be done but it seems like a possibility?

Different price point, more articulation, less hollow, more accessories.

I hope they round out the Dinobots if they are doing Slag? It's be odd to get him and not Sludge with googly eyes.