This is the review of the most powerful and amazing racing car in the world, the Mach 5. The Mach 5 is the racing car of the young Speed Racer of the titular TransLux cartoon Speed Racer. Built by his father Pops Racer, the Mach 5 has many secret gadgets to help Speed win many races. But Pops doesn’t let Speed always race in the Mach 5 for fear that Speed might CRASH UP. Pops Racer doesn’t want the same thing to happen to Speed that happened to his other son Rex Racer after test driving the Mach One and CRASHING UP. Rex Racer then ran away after getting real mad at Pops and now Pops is real sad. But Speed Racer still goes and races and wins races for Pops and that makes him very happy.

OOOH
AAHH

speeed

*Ahem* With this, Takara Tomy brings us the Mach 5 from the Wachowski Brothers’ film Speed Racer. Part of their Dream TOMICA line, the Mach 5 is 1:64 scale, metal, and well detailed and painted. While highly out of its price range, it’s still a good little car.

Let’s review:

Packaging:
The Mach 5 comes in a simple yet charming cardboard box detailing everything you need to know about it.

box

The Toy:
If you’ve bought Hot Wheels before, then you pretty much know exactly what to expect from the Dream Tomica Mach 5, as it really brings nothing new to the table; that said, I can safely say that the Mach 5’s paint apps are seriously super tight (and rather shiny) and smooth which—in some ways—is better than your average Hot Wheels. The body is also full diecast, which is hefty and nice.

Front Low

Side Low

Back Low

All the details—wheels, vents, grooves, and interior—are deep and accurate to the onscreen counterpart. The sideview mirrors are sorely missing, however, a big misstep, I feel. The back fins are made of matte plastic and are poorly cohesive to the car as a whole.

Detail

ISO Coupe

Sadly, when compared to other 1:64 model cars of a similar price point (about $7), the Dream Tomica Mach 5 starts to become very disappointing rather quickly. In fact, in some ways the Dream Tomica Mach 5 is subpar to even your average Hot Wheels car.

Comp 1

Comp 2

This is the one that really bugs me: no sculpted under carriage

comp 3

You don’t even have to pay $7 for that; Hot Wheels come with an accurate and moderately detailed and sculpted under carriage. And those pesky missing sideview mirrors?
The Corvette has them.
And an opening hood.
And other cars of a similar price point come with opening doors.
And rubber tires.
And metal wheels.

On that note, the Mach 5 does fit well with your other Hot Wheels:

Size

And it’s a good 3 inches long:

Scale

Now, I’m not saying that the Dream Tomica Mach 5 is a bad toy; I mean, just look at it!

ISO 45

What I am saying is that it is sorely and malignantly overpriced for what little it gives you and what other similarly priced cars have. Only get this toy if you have an extreme love for Dream Tomica or Speed Racer and if you can find it on super clearance because sadly. . . it’s not worth the money.

C’mon, Arcee, let’s get out of here. . .

ISO Arcee