Matchbox tri-level garage for 6.5-y-o?

[sariana]

I saw the Matchbox tri-level garage in the TRU toy catalog and thought DS would like it. He saw it and definitely seemed interested. I would post it here, but the TRU has no image, so it wouldn't be very helpful.

Anyway, TRU recommends it for ages 3-5. I personally consider 3 barely old enough for Matchbox. Is this too babyish for a 6.5-year-old boy? If he ever had a playdate, would he get teased? I know he would like it; I'm concerned about social issues, which are a problem for him anyway.

I also know his almost-3-year-old sister would like it, so I know it will get used. But I want it to be a present for him; he has lots of Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars.

[KrisM]

It doesn't get very good reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Matchbox-Tri-Level-Garage-P4760-Playset/dp/B002KA9HUC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1289253508&sr=8-1

What about something like the Kidkraft garage (http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-17481-Deluxe-Garage-Set/dp/B001MJY32O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1289253567&sr=1-1)?

[sariana]

Thanks for the links.

MDF is not a good idea in our house (nor is real wood).

I also considered the Cars set at Costco but wasn't sure how well the MB/HW cars would fit with it.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11538863&search=piston&topnav=&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=4013898&whse=BC&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=piston&eCat=BC|48022&Ntt=piston&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial

[KrisM]

Reviews of the smaller one (http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-R6434-Cars-Piston-Garage/dp/B003A11E42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1289254818&sr=8-1)say it works with Matchbox. That one is cute!

There's this one: http://www.amazon.com/Big-City-Garage-Sturdy-Parking/dp/B003E6VSGM/ref=pd_sbs_t_4