Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

OK, so my 3yo boy is now into cars and I pick him up a few every week after work. But...I am curious which is a better brand? Quality, realism,etc. We are not collectors by any means and I generally just get what looks kinda cool.

Thoughts? Comparisons? Surely there are plenty of collectors here.

mmarshall

Heck, why buy a toy Matchbox/Hot-Wheels car when you can buy him a real car that looks just like a Hot Wheels car.......and is almost as small (the post-2000 Toyota Celica).

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Between the two, I prefer the Hot Wheels. Good quality and decently realistic. But my favorite were always Micro Machines (way too small for a 3 year old tho)

mmarshall

On a serious note, I'd have to agree......though the Matchbox cars are more realistic. Decades ago, when I was a young boy, the Matchbox cars were very well-made, but the newer ones don't seem as solid.

LexusChris

iTrader: (1)

I thought Matchbox cars looked more realistic , though I have a fair share of both.

I8ABMR

Get some of both. Just let him have fun. Congrats on the blossoming of the car craziness of your son

IS-SV

I vote for Matchbox, was my preference since childhood.

metalgear

i would go with Matchbox

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

I think hot wheels (current) and much more well made....

superchan7

I suggest Lexus. They're highly realistic with great detail, down to the genuine leather and wood trim.

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

I with they made hot wheels (or equivalent) versions of lexus models... I would buy one of each

jaseman

If you like realism, Matchbox always (to me at least) seemed to be the closest to real life. The proportions, color choices, and body lines always seemed to be the closest to the real cars and trucks. And most of their stuff is based on actual vehicles.

But Hot Wheels always had some really cool, fictional vehicles. Be they big-tired, glass bubbled moon-trucks, rocket cars with surf-boards on the roof, or a toilet bowl hot-rod. And they didn't shy away from wild paint and graphics either.

They both do realism and fantasy cars, but they each tend to lean to one direction or another. But if your buying for a three year old anyway, just go down the isle and pick them out randomly. He's not gonna care if it's a perfect reproduction of a 69 Camaro SS, or a flaming green, jet powered, three wheeled monster truck. They're both gonna be racing through wrapping paper tubes and breaking through Lego walls just the same!

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

http://hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/Lexus_SC400

eyezack87

iTrader: (4)

Have you considered taking him to the Peterson Museum in LA? There are full sized Hot Wheels cars on display as well as almost every single car they made iirc. It was a cool exhibit