Thanks kwik,
I don't want to sound like a GL detractor. Those who come to this forum know that over the years I have been much more of an advocate and maybe even a GL apologist at times.
That said I DO like some of the new series. The GL Muscle and Zine Machines are conceptually very nice. The packaging is attractive and the cars are nice. 90% of GL castings are among the best in the business hands down but these new series need some fresh blood. This is an ongoing issue with GL, and now it seems even worse as the focus has become newer cars instead of new molds of older cars. So when new cars are finally released they don't appeal to me personally. I am sure that the new Explorer cast is nice but to me it is nothing more than a modern day station wagon. New cars have no personality for the most part. I think the exceptions are the Challenger, Mustang, Camaro, and Viper. The newer Vettes do not translate well to 1:64, the curves are too subtle and like most newer cars have absolutely NO personality. A 1970 Super Bee has TONS of personality, a Civic or Taurus? NOT so much.
Saying that I would only buy one Dodge van May be premature. Due to poor distribution by TRU(which is out of GL's hands) I have not seen ANYTHING new since before Christmas at my local store. Maybe If I saw the Chevy or Dodge Van hanging somewhere I could make that determination.
A lot of the "old timers" from GL's early days have moved on due to all of these factors. Some of them moved on because they were tired of waiting for fresh castings, and some of them moved on because shortcuts were taken on some castings and details were either fudged or botched like the 70s Trans Ams. More old guys like me are moving on while GL attempts to bring in the younger crowd. That's fine, but it makes me think. When I was young I was broke and could not afford to buy a bunch of superfluous stuff. Now that I am older I have more money to spend on diecast. Does this lend itself to a flawed approach on the part of GL? I guess time will tell.
Back to the subject of Green Machines being cheap nowadays I believe it all ties in to less demand equals cheaper prices. Shaking up the traits would certainly spark interest and increase demand. To me, it seems that the green wheels/base traits are a cheap way out. It is very easy to prep 1000 bases and wheel sets all at one time making it a much cheaper proposition than manufacturing 1000 sets of green tires. Shaking up the traits will require an investment in both man hours at the office and manufacturing cost. Does GL care enough to make the investment? Again, time will tell.
Lastly, if anyone from GL reads this, PLEASE stop the hacky green foil cards. This is the lamest "chase" yet in the world of diecast. A regular Treasure Hunt is better, at least the car IN the package is somehow unique. I have left the green foils hanging, I refuse to participate. It is/was a horrible idea, please stop. Either include the foil card WITH the green machine car ONLY, or get rid of it completely. It is an embarassment to the brand. My second request is that something is done to reclaim what drew me to the brand, for instance, bring back MCG S&C, 12 car sets, 6 stock, 6 custom. I loved the format, as did many others.
:wave:
