Open or Not
Back in 2000, I was expecting my first son. I decided I would start buying Hot Wheels to collect with him. I went overboard and bought everything. For two years, I collected hard. I never opened anything. Fast forward a couple of years and I had two young sons. We opened a few and started racing and playing with them. My boys quickly lost interest. They have always been more into ball. I traded and sold everything off. Now the boys are older and my ten year old wants to race. The problem is the collector/pack rat in me is wanting to not open things and keep them mint. The other half of me wants to rip and race. Anybody else struggle with this?
Discussion
As one that comes from a long line of celebrated pack rats...if you're worried about value, simply do some basic inventory and find out which cars are worth something and set those aside, everything else, let it ride and play with.
I have a 2-year-old that loves playing with my cars. Most of these cars are ones I kept on the shelf because I liked them. They weren't racers per say but without a kid they would still be collecting dust. Sure, they have dings and chips but I was honest with myself in that I wasn't going to do anything with them (not even racing). So what's the point? Might as well let them get used.
It's okay to keep thing aside for yourself, even with kids. Pick those cars out and put them in a box or on the shelf. Everything else, let the kids have at it. This will keep both sides of you happy, or so I've found. The cars I need for racing are in cases. The cars that are rare/valuable or ones I just like and don't want to see beat up, they're on the shelf or in the closet. Everything else becomes a true toy for me, my kid and anyone else.
However, as my kid gets older and inevitably starts destroying cars, my plan is to slowly hide some of them and then give them to her later in life. I know that I loved finding my old Hot Wheels (and even restoring them). Lots of memories in those toys.
Here's how I do it: If there's one I want to race with, I buy one for the collection and a second to open up and race with. It can get a little spendy, but that way I don't have an inner conflict over it.
Whether to open or not - then yes it can be difficult decision at times! In your position you also have the interest of your 10 y/o in play. Let him be a part of the decision making process for some cars or his cars and experience a little disappointment or loss with individual cars or situations. There will certainly be more happiness and good times spent with you for him at the end of it all. Be sure to keep your own personal feelings out of it for him though!
Collectors keep them in the package and value them due to the rarity. My boys and I understand they are toy cars… and toys should be opened, shared, and played with.
Do I seek out rare and hard to find cars? Sure do. Most of these are sold off so I can free up cash to go find more.
Disclaimer: I have a very small personal collection of cars that will not be sold, but if my sons asks to open or play with it. Done deal. I should have Fishtail post a photo of the Super TH cars he has opened.
The fun is in the hunt...sharing, racing, modifiying
I know in my heart that they are just toys and playing with them is more fun. They look better out of their packages also. I think I am going to quit worrying and just open things and enjoy. I still have 8 or 9 cases of loose stuff I didn't sell. I need to dig those out of storage and start racing. I never collected for the money. I just love collecting things in general. When I sold it all off, I lost money on the deal. Ripping and racing it is then.
You can't take'em with you......so you might as well enjoy them while you can. Last year I bought an original 1968 Twin Mill still in the package......it is no longer in the package....Vvvvrrrrrooooooommmmmmm!!!
You can't take'em with you......so you might as well enjoy them while you can. Last year I bought an original 1968 Twin Mill still in the package......it is no longer in the package....Vvvvrrrrrooooooommmmmmm!!!
I think I'm going to be sick!
Better not have been the pink one.
I think I'm going to be sick!
Better not have been the pink one.
It's purple. A common color for the 1968 original issue. The price was right.......rip and run.
I have bought several of the RLC (RED LINE Club) cars and drilled those out too. Beautiful paint, metal chassis and fresh set of FTE's. I don't add any weight, that way I can still race them as pretty much a stock car. I don't usually buy anything now unless there is a version of it with a metal chassis available. All the Classic series cars and most of the Garage cars ( Walmart, Larry's, Wayne's and Phil's) have metal chassis so there are a lot to choose from.
I.M.O. if you want race, pick through your '05 /'06 cars, their FTE wheels are the tops...