Review – Hot Wheels Jet Threat 3.0
A few years ago we had the Hot Wheels Jet Threat 4.0 here on the site (review here), so I’m sure you’re not too surprised that the Jet Threat 3.0 has finally made its way to battlegrip.com. The design’s not quite as neat as the 4.0, but since this design doesn’t include the moving parts of the 4.0 it’s overall a more durable toy car. And when you’re working with metal you expect durability.
Thrill Racers – Volcano
The Jet Threat 3.0 design has been around for a decade now (see the Hot Wheels wiki), and this newest version is identified as the “Thrill Racers – Volcano” edition. And to keep the theme the car is colored in black and red with flames tampoed on the body and translucent orange tires adding that one perfect detail. And taking a closer look at the “Thrill Racers” subline I see that it’s time I really start exploring the pegs because the Firestorm (Hot Wheels wiki) with a similar color scheme (and the same orange tires) looks incredible. But that’s a story for another review (if I can find the car).
A Lot of Metal
You can tell that this Jet Threat 3.0 is an older design just by the amount of metal involved in its construction; the body seems to be made of two separate metal parts (bottom and top halves), but overall the car isn’t much heavier than other Hot Wheels cars because it’s so thin and narrow. Aerodynamic, I guess we should be calling it since it has those massive jet engines and even some tailwings.
Vroom!
So how fast is the Jet Threat 3.0? Well, I haven’t been racing Hot Wheels cars at night for cash but I will say that the wheels on this machine spin pretty freely and even the act of setting the car on a flat surface involves a little rolling; the car just wants to go. Maybe those tiny jet engines are actually working, or maybe all of that metal is doing something, but whatever’s at work this is one speedy design. I am betting that this is fun to race on one of those Hot Wheels tracks. (But I don’t own a track so all I can do is guess.)
One Minor Complaint
The canopy just won’t stay in place. If you turn the car upside down the clear red plastic shell falls off, and no matter how I try to snap it in place it just won’t stay. I should experiment with glue, but I’m worried about excess glue showing through the canopy and looking ugly.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see in the photos the sculpt is tight, the design as cool as any real world concept car we’ve ever seen, and the black/red with flames color scheme is never wrong for a car. Add on those translucent orange tires with silver details and you’ve got one of the hotter Hot Wheels designs that’s in stores today.
And at just $1.11 (this was one of the pricier Hot Wheels cars I’ve picked up lately) it’s still cheaper than almost any other toy you can buy. A great display piece . . . now where’s that Firestorm?
Philip Reed actually thinks he may have to start looking for more of the Volcano line. This is a great color combination.