Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Announcements (Updated: July 11, 2018)

Welcome to Swifty's Garage!


Thanks to all of you for making this board what it is today!


Attention new members: We would like to welcome you personally, so please introduce yourself. Click here: INTRODUCTIONS


For all the latest news and announcements, please click here: PA System



Thank you - The Swifty's Garage Team




This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution

Car of the Week:


Matchbox 1968 Ford F-100


Click Here: Matchbox '68 Ford F-100
Welcome to Swifty's Garage. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Thank You,
The Swifty's Garage Team


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features.

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Dodge Charger Showdown; Greenlight, Masito and Hot Wheels
Topic Started: Jul 14 2013, 12:23 AM (1,814 Views)
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
I just love the Dodge Charger (after all, it is my favorite car). The first generation Charger looked pretty good, but after undergoing the redesign that other Dodge models went through in 2011, the Charger has gotten even better. It always catches my attention when it drives down the street.

Note: The Greenlight casting has details added to it by me (the police lights)

Here, I have 3 second generation Charger from 3 different manufactures: Greenlight, Maisto and Hot Wheels.

(From left to right, clockwise: Hot Wheels, Masito, and Greenlight)

Posted Image

The Maisto might be considered the underdog here. Most of Masito's castings aren't exactly the best, but the Charger casting is one of the best (if not the best) castings that Masito has produced. Take a look.

Posted Image

For less than $1, this sets the bar pretty high. It's actually very nicely detailed, and after getting the first one, I was inspired to get more (I think I have about 6 in my collection). The front of the vehicle is very well done, as you can see in this pic:

Posted Image

In my opinion, one of the best parts of the new Charger is the rear taillight area. It just looks so cool when it's on the real car! The Maisto Charger captures the back very nicely. You can see the 'Dodge' on the center of the rear light assembly, as well as the model name and grade (in this case, R/T) a bit lower.

Posted Image

The only downfall of this casting is the fact that is has no interior. Other than that, the lights, and the detailing is just superb. Rating out of 10? A solid 9.

Now, the Hot Wheels casting. This is a nice model, and one that I have just recently got. It's got the nice tampo treatment from Hot Wheels, and while it is a bit tampo-heavy, it doesn't attention away from the car itself. In fact, I feel that the tampoes make it even better, even though it has no head and taillights.

Posted Image

For $1.37 (that's how much HW's cost in my area), it's pretty good. The casting overall is really nice, with a detailed interior (unlike the Masito one).

When it comes to the taillight (and even headlight) areas, it just doesn't match up to the Maisto casting. There is no headlight and taillight detailing, so the back and the front are essentially empty spaces

Posted Image

Here's the front: Some detail, but a bit more could've been added.

Posted Image

As you can see, the taillight just an empty space with the faint indent of the shape of the taillight.

Posted Image

This casting is a solid 8. I feel that Hot Wheels put a bit too much effort into the side tampoes, and they could’ve used it on the front and rear. If Hot Wheels put a bit more detail into the lights, this casting would be a lot better.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Greenlight casting. With all Greenlights, you can expect this to be a stunner, and it is. It's got great detail, and is easily the best. I was really happy when I found this one.

Posted Image

Jeweled lights, incredible detail, and rubber tires make this casting a true stunner. However, this casting is 6x more expensive than the Maisto and the Hot Wheels one, which is why I only have 1 in my collection, as compared to the 6 Masitos and 3 Hot Wheels.

Posted Image

The rear of this casting is brilliant. It is a separate piece, compared to the Maisto and Hot Wheels, where the rear is part of the metal casting, so there is a lot more detail. Greenlight has added the lines for the trunk, as well as the reverse lights.

Posted Image

Greenlight's effort on this casting has paid off, at least to me. Definitely 10 out of 10.

Here's another comparison of the rear, between the 3 vehicles. You can clearly see that the Hot Wheels casting (left) does not have much detail compared with the Maisto and Greenlight castings.

Posted Image

A comparison of the front of all 3 vehicles:

Posted Image

The bottom line is that we have 3 good models from 3 different manufacturers. If you want realism, and you don't mind paying a bit more, go for the Greenlight. If you like the tampoes on the side and the lights are no big deal for you, then go with the Hot Wheels casting. Finally, if you want realism and detail, and you don't want to pay $6 for the Greenlight, then buy the Maisto casting. I hope that this review helps you find the right Charger casting for you! :wave:
Edited by craftymore, Jul 17 2013, 10:57 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
mbx64
Member Avatar
Matchbox Collector
Nice showdown! That was a lot of muscle you had pictured up there! :thumbup:

I, too, am surprised in how well the Maisto casting is done. In fact, I even think that the front end is better than Greenlight's, as the jeweled lights aren't quite the shape I was hoping for. They look a little more menacing on the Maisto.

I hope to grab the GL one day!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Harvestman
Member Avatar
Captain Slow
Very good review! I was impressed by Maisto's casting as well.

(It's Maisto, bu the way, not Masito.)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
craftymore
Member Avatar
Support your local demo derby.

@ Terence - I edited your spellings of Maisto in your original post.


The greenlight is pretty spot on to me. The paint used on the HWs version globs up any details and lack of headlight/tailight tampos drags it down. The Maisto is really nice esp for the price point it's offered at. The knocks as mentioned is a lack of interior and it lacks a cast metal b-pillar.

Posted Image

Posted Image
Edited by craftymore, Jul 17 2013, 10:59 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
Thanks for catching the spelling mistake, HarvestManman, and thanks for fixing the spelling, Zach!

My bad on the spelling mistake. :oops:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ky72x
Member Avatar
Compact
Front and rear detailing (and thinner paint) really does wonders for the HW casting, evidenced by the release from the Fast & Furious set.

I remember passing on the Greenlight when I picked up the Focus ST and Dodge Van from the same Black Bandit release last year. At that point I hadn't yet changed my collecting habits to focus on exact/near exact 1/64 models, and so I was satisfied with a HW Charger that I had painted black and and detailed. By the end of the year I started searching for one at a good price until I finally gave up and paid a few bucks more than I would have at TRU.

For being such a top-notch casting, I don't think it's been used enough. There are a couple of upcoming releases (both from CSI shows), but the future of the police casting seems pretty bleak, since it was dropped from Hot Pursuit 11 and isn't listed in the 12th release.

Thanks for the great comparison!
Edited by ky72x, Jul 18 2013, 02:55 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
ky72x
Jul 18 2013, 02:54 AM
Front and rear detailing (and thinner paint) really does wonders for the HW casting, evidenced by the release from the Fast & Furious set.

I agree with you. I plan on just painting the lights on the HW soon. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the F&F Charger recently. I would have used that one to compare, if I did have it. I need to find that one!!

Thanks for the positive comments, everyone!
Edited by Stampede, Jul 18 2013, 10:52 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
Now that I've thought about it, if I had the HW F&F version of the Charger, it would be pretty close. Too bad that I haven't found that one, yet.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
daniel60
Member Avatar
Personal Luxury Car
Great Car Show my brotha!!! I'm a Charger fan too. It's just gets better looking every year.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
daniel60
Aug 11 2013, 07:28 AM
Great Car Show my brotha!!! I'm a Charger fan too. It's just gets better looking every year.
Thanks, Daniel! I do agree that it keeps looking better!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
daniel60
Member Avatar
Personal Luxury Car
Yes she's a sexy beast!! Dodge has some nice looking cars out there now.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hosspower98
Member Avatar
Forever Blue Oval
Why spend money on lesser detailed cars that vaguely resemble the original. I would gladly kick in the extra bucks for the Greenlight. The others are dollar toys for tots.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Firehawk73
Member Avatar


Hosspower98
Aug 13 2013, 12:30 PM
Why spend money on lesser detailed cars that vaguely resemble the original. I would gladly kick in the extra bucks for the Greenlight. The others are dollar toys for tots.
Well I have all three but my HWs version is the F&F one and it is nicely done for a dollar car.

Jack here is the reason why most of us have the Maisto version.

The Maisto one came out before the other 2 did. In fact a lot sooner than the other 2 which is why most of us that like this car has that issue.

I am really impressed with the Maisto edition as far as the casting goes. Yes, its lacking in some areas but if Maisto ever stepped up its game in the diecast market they would have some really nice castings to start with.

I didn't not care for the red Charger from HWs but the flat black version with the detailed lights struck my fancy and picked it up. With a simple wheel swap it will be even better.

The GL version is of course the best looking version and also the hardest one to find without paying more than retail on ebay. It took me a year to get one of the BB version and that was by a trade. I just recently found the yellow one and I also have the Hollywood series cop car version from GL. This is one of those castings that I will collect from GL whenever one hits the market.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Firehawk73
Member Avatar


Here is another variation of the HWs Charger. Again I did not care for the red one but that might be because red is not one of my favorite colors on a car unless its a Ferrari. The flat black on the HWs version was much more appealing to me plus it does have more detail even though the headlight tampos are alittle off.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
James
Member Avatar
Mr.Bowtie
great comparison
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
Firehawk73
Sep 27 2013, 01:47 AM
Here is another variation of the HWs Charger. Again I did not care for the red one but that might be because red is not one of my favorite colors on a car unless its a Ferrari. The flat black on the HWs version was much more appealing to me plus it does have more detail even though the headlight tampos are alittle off.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image
Thanks for the pics. Now I really want that HW version!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
daniel60
Member Avatar
Personal Luxury Car
I have that one as well and enjoy her. I have tried taking pictures of it but it's a hard subject to photograph. The kind of car that looks better in person.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
clem24
Member Avatar
Station Wagon
Firehawk73
Sep 24 2013, 10:42 PM
Well I have all three but my HWs version is the F&F one and it is nicely done for a dollar car.
OK Except that F&F version was certainly NOT a dollar LOL... More like $2.49 (at least in these neck of the woods). :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stampede
Member Avatar
Team Canada
clem24
Oct 7 2013, 04:37 PM
Firehawk73
Sep 24 2013, 10:42 PM
Well I have all three but my HWs version is the F&F one and it is nicely done for a dollar car.
OK Except that F&F version was certainly NOT a dollar LOL... More like $2.49 (at least in these neck of the woods). :D
Too bad I haven't seen the F&F releases in the Lower Mainland. I think it's worth it for the price.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Firehawk73
Member Avatar


clem24
Oct 7 2013, 04:37 PM
Firehawk73
Sep 24 2013, 10:42 PM
Well I have all three but my HWs version is the F&F one and it is nicely done for a dollar car.
OK Except that F&F version was certainly NOT a dollar LOL... More like $2.49 (at least in these neck of the woods). :D
Then the Walmart you went to got you good because all of the Fast and the Furious cars that was in the shipper came up as .97 cents each. Either someone missed up on the prices at your store or they missed up at mine but its a mistake I can live with. ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
daniel60
Member Avatar
Personal Luxury Car
The new Charger has one of the meanest and nastiest grills or faces so to speak in in the new car kingdom.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Inspection Station: Reviews · Next Topic »
Add Reply



March's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations DinoMom for winning March's contest!



April's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations carsdownunder for winning April's contest!






Powered By

This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution


eXTReMe Tracker