Studio Series. By far. (and yes, I know this isn't the Legends version, I couldn't find a comparison of them next to each other, but it's the same sculpt right? Just different deco? The arms and giant shoulders and entire cockpit for a chest are what kill it for me. And the face isn't as good either.) Also don't forget DNA Design Wheelie!
To me the Core version is a hot mess of trying to look right but fails and ends up with a fairly goofy bot and just silly clownish car mode with his hands sticking out. It looks too cartoonish for me, and not even in a way that I could even state that it would be like the cartoon in 3d like some other figures get closer to being such, just "off". The only good thing about it is that it's an available substitute should you not have the TR one. TR is a mess of looseness but once that's fixed the car is as sleek as Wheelie can be and I actually like it quite a bit more than I though I would when I got it, and the robot is quite fine overall with decent articulation. I love the concept of being able to have a headmaster type figure in it like the other legend figures of the same line. It's main annoyance is a lack of weapon as per the line, but I have extra guns for just that situation.
Legends > Titans Return >>>>> SS86 Legends has the best colors and that mold in general looks so much better in alt mode and IMO a bit better in robot mode too. I love how he's got the Autobot symbol behind the clear windshield on his chest.
I like aspects of both. SS86 Wheelie looks better in robot mode but TR Wheelie looks better in vehicle mode. I decided to go with Titans Return Wheelie. Mainly because I already have the TR version and I really didn't want to spend another $10 to have another Wheelie in the collection.
You nailed it. The DNA Design Wheelie with the head of the one that came with 86 Grimlock is all the Wheelie I will ever need.
I'm one of the rare ones who always liked Wheelie, and it started with the movie. The 1986 Movie introduced him to me, I liked him, and then I never saw any difference between that character and the one in the TV series. Now that I'm older I noticed they botched the voice effects for him in season 3 of the TV show and Frank Welker performed him with a lot less discretion in many scenes. (In other words he went too far over the top when yelling Daniel's name in some situations.) But I totally understand those little things in a episodic production budgeted TV show when time is money and deadlines have to be made. As for the toy, the G1 toy isn't held with any regard among Transformers fans, but for me, it was a childhood comfort. It was a fun little toy I could transform in a matter of seconds and have it interact with the other Transformers in my collection and I usually made it roll in a line like it was a matchbox car. So for me I have fond memories of it. Which is why I like these 2 new incarnations and I still like the character. I've always found Wheelie's rhyming impediment amusing. Blaster rhymed too and I loved him. (So did Jazz). The only differences was Wheelie had an insane high pitched voice and was supposed to fill the role of kid connection (the same way Bumblebee has done) for the younger demographic who was interested in The Transformers. (And as a younger kid who watched the show at that point in time, I have to admit that it worked on me.) I'm really thinking about getting the SS86 Wheelie. As a rare person who actually likes the character, and also a cartoon purist, it might be worth the pickup. I'm really liking reading everyone's opinions!
While I think the previous one was a nice attempt I think I much prefer how the Studio Series one came out.
I only own the TR Wheelie, and I really don't feel the need to get the SS86 one. That being said, I do think SS86 actually looks pretty decent. I never understood all the hate.
TR Wheelie is still fine by me. I have LG as well but I prefer the TR colors (blasphemy, I know). SS86 never looked that great to me so I skipped it.
Titans Return for me. One of the main selling points for me is the alt mode's ability to accommodate a Titanmaster driver.
