Release Date: June 2013
Remarks: This is the car I have been looking forward but it turns out to be a flop. The Beetle suffers the most corners cut for 2013. In my opinion, Beetle should be scaled between 1/60 to 1/62 instead of 1/66 as this scale is for big saloon cars. The rear window is not spared either. They did it on opening hatch 2 decades ago and they are doing it on rear window in recent years. This is something I couldn't accept for a Tomica. Real Toys and RMZ City can do a proper window for their cars at half of the price.
Award: Most Disappointing Tomica of The Year
Grade: F
Release Date: April 2013
Remarks: Actually no major faults with this car because I can't really think of any special working features for this type of vehicle. The vehicle is too simple to have any flaws. Why this car is released is a puzzle to people like us who are non Japanese. Most of us will not really appreciate this vehicle and I foresee that it will be another short production Tomica. It is ranked lowly because it is not mainstream and it is not really something which collectors looking forward to buy one.
Award: Least Popular Tomica of The Year
Grade: F
Release Date: September 2013
Remarks: The Fiat 500 came a little late as the actual car was around for quite some time. The Fiat 500 has the worst front end. The headlights and grill are done abruptly without much thoughts. Side windows and rear hatch windows are painted. Car has no suspension as well.
Grade: F
Release Date: February 2013
Remarks: Overall presentation is nice but if you look closer, there are some cost cutting measures too. The worst feature is the big chunk of painted rear window which could have been made of plastic instead. The front headlights seems painted by some primary school children. Paint quality and opening doors save it from being ranked last of the lot.
Grade: F
Released Date: January 2013
Remarks: I would rather Tomica made the Corolla Axio like what they did on its predecessor. Side windows are painted, rear hatch has painted window. They could do it like what they have done for the Legacy wagons. If they couldn't do a proper opening hatch, they could have just do opening doors or bonnet.
Grade: E
Release Date: August 2013
Remarks: It looked really promising when Takara-Tomy presented it on their official website. I thought we might have a winner until I saw the actual product. Again, there is no plastic rear window.
Grade: E
Release Date: April 2013
Remarks: The front end is nicely done and that is all about it. Rear hatch problem once again. Majorette done a better A1.
Grade: E
Release Date: May 2013
Remarks: Ditch the rear hatch, they could have done a sliding door instead as it is the trademark of the Porte. I seen the actual car and I am quite impress that Toyota made a small car so spacious. Tomica did put in effort on the plastic headlights but it just didn't blend into the car well.
Grade: E
Release Date: August 2013
Remarks: A well made Tomica although it has no suspensions. I could have rank it higher if not for the rear opening hatch. This should be the best Kei car among all the Kei cars in 2013.
Grade: D
Release Date: November 2013
Remarks: No much complains on this car with exception of the rear hatch.
Grade: D
Release Date: September 2013
Remarks: Another nice Kei car made by Tomica except for the rear hatch.
Grade: D
Release Date: June 2013
Remarks: I saw this car roaming the roads in Bangkok when I was there last year. Honestly not really a fan of this car but Tomica managed to do a nice job on the Mirage. It did not win my top vote due to the ugly opening hatch.
Grade: D
Release Date: January 2013
Remarks: Tomica made the 911 too fat or should I say crude? It managed a better ranking because there is a rear plastic window. A basic feature and it should be there by default but I find it funny that it has become a rarity in Tomica now.
Grade: C
Release Date: November 2013
Remarks: A little surprise that Tomica made the Forester finally as previous generations were not considered. It seems like painted 3rd quarter side windows are now a trend in current Tomica. Nice model which suffers from budget constrain.
Grade: C
Release Date: October 2013
Remarks: The Nissan NV350 is actually a very well made Tomica regardless in the form of a Fire Chief car or Ambulance. If you look at the rear windows, Tomica could have do an extra effort to cut the windows out since they do not coincide with the rear pillars.
Grade: C+
1/69 Nissan NV350 Caravan Ambulance, Made in Vietnam
Release Date: July 2013
Remarks: Same remarks as the Fire Chief Car. Take note that the Ambulance has plastic headlights.
Grade: C+
Release Date: March 2013
Remarks: Everything looks in place except for front grill not pronounced or sharp enough.
Grade: B-
Release Date: May 2013
Remarks: I wanted to rank it in top 3 but there are better cars for me to pick from. Overall, it is a well made Tomica.
Grade: B+
Release Date: March 2013
Remarks: There are many John Deere collectors out there. This John Deere doesn't disappoint as a Tomica. As it is made to very small scale, we shouldn't nit pick on the details. Take note that there are many parts made for this vehicles and a few moving features as well.
Grade: B
Release Date: December 2013
Remarks: As Isuzu Elf was made sometime ago, I did not rank it highly. Besides, the previous Sagawa truck was much better made.
Grade: B-
Release Date: July 2013
Remarks: A super car considered very well put together by current standard of Tomica. Just a whisker shy of making it into the top 3.
Grade: A-
Release Date: December 2013
Remarks: Nicely made especially the detailing are mould into the casting. It could be better if it is not white.
Award: Bronze
Grade: A
Release Date: October 2013
Remarks: You will not see a Japanese sedan with opening doors and rear plastic window in the near future.
Award: Silver
Grade: A
Release Date: February 2013
Remarks: I would say it's the same remarks as the Atenza. Front and rear end finish is nicely done. It looked better than the Atenza in my opinion.
Award: Gold
Grade: A+
Posts
My heart is bleeding because we practically do not have Tomica here. However my vallet is happy. 8-)
ReplyDeleteThe Mazda 6, the Audi R8 and the Honda N-One are absolutely must have for me.
ReplyDeleteThe Fiat 500 is not the best Tomica, but is sooo cute! :)
bro can i know where did you buy the isuzu elf sagawa btw i'm from singapore
ReplyDeletecima won!! yah!!! i thought it was the best too!
ReplyDeleteWell, what can I say? my top 2 best of Tomica matched your top 2! Great post Julian!
ReplyDeletejapan in november The best time to visit Hokkaido is during the summer months. This is when the weather is warmest and the days are longest, making it ideal for exploring all that this beautiful island has to offer.
ReplyDelete