Please tell me about Hot Wheels tracks

[toby]

I think that I remember ones from when I was a kid that were pretty simple-- drop one or two cars down a ramp onto a track. All the ones that I have seen now seem over the top with mechanized starters, sounds etc.

Do you have one that you like?
Is there something else out there which would be a simple way to race two cars?

Thanks!

[Momof3Labs]

Waste of money. They work a few times (maybe more than that, but not a lot more) then fall apart, the cars fall off the tracks, etc. We've had 3-4 Hot Wheels sets and have had no luck with them.

[new_mommy25]

My DS loves Hot Wheels. Age 4 was the year of Hot Wheels for him. Some sets are definitely better than others, and the older your DC is the easier and less frustrating they are. Now that my DS is older he doesn't need to call me if a piece falls apart. He can put it back together on his own.

The Cross Town Crash is a good starter set because it is easy for a child to set up and they can play by themselves or with a friend.
http://tinyurl.com/9vb5tj

To race, I would get something like this:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2553332

Or something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/8a2c53

We have a lot of track so my DS likes to configure his own. They also sell extra track. And there is a line where you can connect different Hot Wheels tracks to make a huge set up. Just so you know, there are different cars. The race cars are smaller and lighter and what you use for most sets. A lot of the cars that you buy individually are for collecting or playing with on their own but are too heavy to use on tracks. The heavier cars are great with the Plan Toy garage or just on a rug or table with a roadway. My DS likes to build garages and cities with wooden blocks for his cars.

[Tondi G]

DS got this one for Christmas and it is great! Ran through the first set of batteries in a week or so ... he ran it all the time though!

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2970560

http://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Speed-Racer-Jump-Track/dp/B000W60EIA

He loves it.... and it works well... hasn't fallen apart at all!

[o_mom]

I actually found a very simple one at Meijer (midwest chain). It has a ramp that you hook to the edge of a table, one loop with a jump at the end. No batteries and for the price ($10) it has been good - it was similar to this one: http://www.allaboardtoys.com/hot-wheels-track-sets-spiral-split-track-set.aspx?cmpid=gopsXMAT-J7963-J2556

The more expensive ones are awful - batteries required, usually loud, easy to break or come apart easily. Go very, very simple. :) The 4 lane one a PP linked to looked good.

[brittone2]

We were considering a Darda one for DS's 5th bday. A family member ended up getting him a small Hotwheels setup for Christmas, and he was so happy about that thing LOL. THe quality isn't great, but so far it is usable. I can tell by looking at it and the track design that it will probably not last that long, however. DS is fairly gentle with his toys considering he's a 4 (almost 5) year old boy.

Overall, what do those of you w/ Darda think of those in comparison? I saw some at the local toy stores and the price was better than I anticipated.

[pb&j]

I actually found a very simple one at Meijer (midwest chain). It has a ramp that you hook to the edge of a table, one loop with a jump at the end. No batteries and for the price ($10) it has been good - it was similar to this one: http://www.allaboardtoys.com/hot-wheels-track-sets-spiral-split-track-set.aspx?cmpid=gopsXMAT-J7963-J2556

The more expensive ones are awful - batteries required, usually loud, easy to break or come apart easily. Go very, very simple. :) The 4 lane one a PP linked to looked good.

DS rec'd this one as a gift for his 3rd b-day and it has been a big hit. DH likes it, too. ;)

[toby]

Lots of good feedback here-thanks! The Darda tracks do look nice...I would be interested to hear from anyone who has one.

ETA: I had a dream about Hot Wheel Tracks last night (and cars falling off of them)- pathetic!

[nupe]

Loved the darda. We had a race set w/2 cars. You pull the cars back to wind them up. Hard for little hands to do (3 yo) but I think a 4yo can handle it. Can't use the cars on carpet b/c the fibers will get stuck in it. I recommend the Darda track. You do have to keep the clear pieces that connect hte track away from little ones though because they are smaller and easy to lose. I should have gotten an plastic container to keep everything in when disassembled. I was using a basket and now I think we are missing a lot of the connecter pieces.

[KBecks]

We have this one right now- Both DS's LOVE it (18 months and 4 years)
http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-4-Lane-Raceway/dp/B000JSI63G/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1231791186&sr=8-11
It folds up nicely. I also like the flag feature so you can tell who has won. It will fall apart if too much weight is applied (18 month old wants to crawl on it :P ) but it is easy to fix. We've only had it since Christmas but so far we are very happy with it. It is one of thier favorite gifts.

ETA: they are playing with it right now :)

We have this one and it breaks easily but it has not got broken, if that makes sense. I think it is massively overpriced, but it has been a LOT of fun for the boys.

We had a loop-de-loop set and the tracks got bent and it didn't hold up. I would consider looking for vintage track, because I remember my brothers having sturdy tracks.