It’s March 3, 2008 and where do we stand now? Most of us are caught up (if you;re just starting out, check out our newbie checklist which shows which ones are easier to find).
JUST ARRIVED
Dudley Spare (Octane Gain Pitty)
Flik
Gasprin (#70) – Floyn Mulvihill
Gold Mia
Gold Tia
My Name is Not Chuck
Octane Gain (launcher)
PT Flea
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)
Tow Cap (#4) – Rusty Cornfuel
ARRIVING NEXT
POSTPONED
Pit Crew Member Sarge
Richard Clayton Kensingston (Security Van)
(Here is our speculation as to why most of the “new” CARS have been pulled from the next 4-5 shipments).
Complete COMPLETISTS should also be aware the NEW WOC CARS also come in two card versions – some are sniped “New” on the front and there are versions that are not. NOTE – Ghostlight Ramone – hardly “NEW” by most measures of the word comes in BOTH versions. The first release wearing the ‘NEW” snipe that is pretty much a stretch (it is new in the sense that it is NEW to WOC and NEW as a non-exclusive CAR).
12-CAR CARRYING CASE with LAUNCHER
As Mattel says, “Just turn the hub to send vehicles rolling from the gravity launcher!” They also promise heart-stopping fun though I do not hope they mean that literally as I have eaten way too much bacon in my lifetime. 
Amazon also has it. It also comes with SNOT ROD.
NEW HANGING BLISTER MULTI-PACKS
PIT ROW RACE OFF
“Each includes a die-cast vehicle with launcher. It’s your favorite racers from the hit Disney/Pixar movie CARS, in the new Pit-Stop Racers Assortment. Each includes a die-cast vehicle with launcher. Connect the launchers to recreate Pit Crew Row, then send your character cars into high performance mode with a pow! Assortment includes Lightning McQueen, The King, Chick Hicks, Octane Gain*, Leak Less and Nitroade.”
*Octane Gain has arrived in some stores.
They will retail for around $7.99.
3-PACK (HANGING BLISTERS)
Also on the shelves – completists should note that the Charlie Checker (Piston Cup Pace Car) has yellow tail-lights. The WM version had red tail-lights. If you’re arguing accuracy, pace cars in our world are just regular cars or in some cases, with souped up engines but in 99% of the cases, just like street cars – with red tail-lights (the pace car only has to be able to do 55 to 85 MPH so really, most any car can be a pace car).
Box A (IN STORES)
Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Lightning McQueen, Flo & Lightning Phase Ramone (2)
Box B (IN STORES though good luck finding Gold Mia & Tia)
Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Gold Mia Tia & Dinoco Chick Hicks (2)
THE FIRST “TREASURE HUNT”
While not officially a treasure hunt/chase car in the normal scheme of things. If you purchase the Blu-Ray CARS DVD, for $3.50 (plus tax), you get a “free” CAR. It is limited to 15,000 and you have to sign up with Disney Movie Rewards.
ALL the info is available at our other post on signup tips, etc, etc.
The promotion has ended – eBay only – sorry.
MOVIE MOMENTS
IN STORES:
Dinoco Mia & Tia
Flea & Flik
Tow Cap (#4 – Rusty Cornfuel) & Gasprin (#70 – Floyn Mulvihill)
ALSO ANNOUNCED FOR 2008 as NEW MULTI-PACKS
(again, no older ones are retired – won’t rehash those to save space, I’m only listing the NEW Movie Moments packs)
(SCHEDULED IN LINE – AFTER …)
Leakless & No Stall (#123 – Todd “The Shockster” Marcus)
PLAYSETS
YES, Curio Shop, Ramone’s & Luigi’s are ALL BACK!
Thanks to reader ‘Kristie’ who spotted them.
$19.99 – EXCLUSIVE to Toys R Us in the new WORLD OF CARS motif.
BOX SETS
The newest one coming is the TRU only box set, DINOCO BLUE
Of course, the Dinoco 400 is still on Target shelves …
Thanks to “KristieD22,” Target on Amazon has it on sale for $17.99 – while you can search to see if it’s available at Target stores, I’m presuming Target retail matches Target.com pricing? And yes, that photo is incorrect but you get the Dinoco 400 set.
COMING NEXT
Not particularly exciting to TRU (it’s like 2006 all over again!):
If you’re collecting the Mini’s – our post on the Target exclusives …
SUMMARY
Not sure about your parts of the country but here in NoCal, we are pretty much stripped clean – Boost’s and Lizzie make up 95% of the individual blister cards here. But not much of anything else which means this Christmas/holiday season, another couple hundred thousand kids were welcomed into the CARS order of lunacy. Will they take up the baton and see past the 14 CARS listed on the back of the cards and realize there are 67 more? Will new mom or dad go on not a grail quest but a CARS quest – day, night – pulling off freeways from 5 lanes away when they spot the blue letters of WM or the giant red Target or the giraffee?
This is one reason Mattel is okay to keep shipping older CARS as newbies are coming in … but enough of Buzz & Woody, okay? So, break out your wallets. Last year, Mattel gave us breathers – this coming 2008? I have a feeling they are going to be going by a new old saying …
“A CAR a day, that’s all we ask …”
We will update this post when new CARS diecast items hit the shelves (or in reality, eBay).
In January/February the HK and NY Toy Fairs, we should hear more about what’s coming in early 2008.
RECAP OF OUR OTHER POSTS
THE BASICS
If you want a recap of the Mattel Pixar CARS line from the beginning.
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: It’s What to Collect
Unlike other toys/hot items that stay hot for a few weeks or months – this Mattel Pixar CARS diecast line has pretty been SIZZLING for 16 months – not just rare but almost un-heard of.
Of course, we would love to tell you that if you show up here at 7:00 AM, you are assured of seeing it on the shelve un-touched … or course, that is not really possible with this line due to real demand and eBay “re-distribution” demand but we have tried to sum up why it’s seems impossible and some buying tips that while not foolproof, might make things slightly easier …
Mattel Pixar Cars: I Want to Buy But Where?
BUYING CASES & WHAT’S NEXT
First, one way to skip the driving around is to buy sealed cases, here is a brief rundown on what that is AND what are the CARS coming this holiday season (the last two months of 2007):
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes
And what’s coming in 2008:
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes Holiday 2007 & 2008
Or what the latest on the shelf cards & CARS look like?
Mattel Pixar: What’s in Stores Now
If you wish to plot out what CAR will make its first appearance & in what box in 2008, a friend of 2aDay has thoughtfully provided a spreadsheet you can download or it’s also been added to our online checklist/spreadsheet.
HOW TO COLLECT
For those on the intermediate & advanced stages of this obsession (yes, I has the fever! I has the fever 
) … you’ll want a “field guide” to spotting what’s what:
A Basic Checklist (in spreadsheet form)
The checklist offers a few versions on how you like your poison
Then of course, a more indepth guideline on how to collect them – just one of each? one of each available on a different card?
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: How to Collect
As you progress further, you might need or want a guide to understanding what do the three different designs on the front indicate and how complete of a collector you want to be:
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: Card Backs
Info on the Blu-Ray Dinoco “Blu” CAR
The LIMITED & EXCLUSIVE Disney Blu-Ray “Blu” Dinoco McQueen
MORE INFORMATION THAN NORMAL
Of course, by now, you’ll want to know everything and plan your budget carefully … Mattel will definitely release 35/36 of the Piston Cup Racers in one massive collector’s set but will they release them in smaller sets? Our speculation on why rioting is probably not necessary:
Mattel Pixar Cars: All the Piston Cup CARS-Speedway of the South Box Set
If you prefer to see some of the cardbacks in a larger file size or to view the two posters for a visual look at the CARS to collect, our FLICKER page is here.
Did you know the Blu-Ray DVD (for HDTV’s) will include a “name-spotter” feature that will let you see the names of 217 CARS within the movie?
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: It’s What to Collect-Part II – 217 CARS?
And while we’re at it – pure speculation on our part as to what might be coming next?
Mattel Pixar Cars: What’s Coming in 2008 or 2009
Mattel Pixar Cars: What’s Coming in 2008 or 2009? Part II
Mattel Pixar Cars: Mia & Tia – All the Possible Variants
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION
Details on the Mattel sponsorship & CARS charity auction for CAAF (Children Affected by AIDS Foundation):
Mattel Pixar Cars & Children Affected by AIDS Charity Auction
While Frank the Combine on eBay seems enticing, you might want to know that he’s very small and all plastic but there are some other options …
Mattel Pixar CARS Movie: Frank the Combine – eBay Warning
Too much money in your bank account – starting collecting the other CARS line …
NEW Mini Adventures CARS & Playsets
The Sarge Recall:
Mattel Recalls Pixar CARS Sarge Diecast Metal Car
Nothing very insightful about what’s coming but still good to know that CARS is bringing in money and everything is looking smooth.
Mattel Pixar Cars: 3rd Quarter 2007 Earnings-Financial Numbers
CARS 2, THE SEQUEL?
Yes, more speculation & answers on our part but the stars and other things seem to be syncing up for a 2011 sequel:
Pixar CARS 2 Sequel: Rumors, Rumors, Rumors
