When Hot Wheels first released the Subaru Impreza casting in 2004, it was the first ever Hot Wheels #Subaru. Released in Hot Wheels Racing’s World Rally Championship 4-car series, the casting, nor the series weren’t entirely popular. 12 years later the tide has changed as collectors have been paying in excess of $50 for that release (carded). Along with it, the other versions of this plastic-bodied Subaru went up as well — two colors of the 2007 Track Stars release, two colors of the 2008 Race Aces (Target Exclusive) release, the 2012 Light Speeders release and a couple multi-pack releases. Overall, early releases of this casting appear to be in short supply on the secondary market.

The 2010 Dirt Track Race 5-Pack sat on the peghooks of local retailers just like most 5-Packs do. Hot Wheels 5-Packs are never hard to find unless they are of the limited or international variety. Without the scarcity, I didn’t feel an increasing urge to buy the Dirt Track Race 5-Pack as I kept telling myself I was going to pick it up next time. Well, before long, new 5-Packs were released and this one was no longer replenished — CRAP! So now I have to find it at a local diecast swapmeet — nothing! Ugggh, now I have to find one online. With shipping, 5-Packs usually don’t come cheap…not at retail price at least.

Well, to my shock, there had been that increasing in demand for the Subaru Impreza casting and apparently a short supply for whatever reasons. I couldn’t find the 5-Pack below $15 and all I really wanted was the Subaru — but not for $15. Long story shortened, I finally was able to obtain one loose, for $5-shipped. While I could have paid that initially (for the whole 5-Pack), I ultimately got the car I wanted. It should go great with the original 2004 World Rally Championship release … now, to dig that one out!

RELEASE DETAILS: Blue Body (plastic). Clear Windows. Black Interior. Chrome 10-Spoke (10SP) Wheels. Unpainted Metal Base. Made in Thailand. Toy# R0969. Released in 2010 as part of the Dirt Track Race 5-Pack.