We have finally reached the final #Power Ratings for 2023 Hot Wheels #Car Culture: Slide Street 2. Crazy that it is March of 2024 and we are first seeing the images now. It will be exciting to move onto 2024 as it is currently the only part of the 2024 master list that needs work. As evidenced by the name, this is the second time we’ve seen the Slide Street mix in the line. The #Nissan 240SX (S14) and #’18 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5 return in new decos, while being joined by another GR Toyota, and two #Drift Cars with licensed decos.

Before we go any further, a big THANK YOU to our sponsor of this segment, 1 Stop Diecast! Make sure you pre-order your Car Culture case via 1StopDiecast.com. While finding in the store is nice, I can’t stress enough how simple it is to order by the case. It gives you the best shot at getting a chase. I have went 3 for 6 in getting the chase pieces in my 1 Stop Diecast cases for 2023 so batting .500 is not bad! If you do miss out on the chase, you have a set to gift/trade to a friend or resell on the open market.

For a change, I am going at these #Power Ratings alone. My goal is to give you a glimpse as to what you can expect the demand to be at retail when these appear and this exercise has definitely proved itself this year. This was a hard mix to access as there isn’t a bad car in it. My least favorite car is actually the #Chase, but it will still be the first to go for obvious reasons.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at what should be arriving at stores very soon. Here is a rundown of how we form the ratings…

POWER RATINGS are comprised of an average of 3 scores: Casting Choice, Deco/Livery, and Cool Factor. Below is what is factored into each rating:

• Casting Choice: Rating is based on how well does the casting fit within the series. Is the casting a good choice for today’s Car Culture?
• Deco/Livery: Looks are everything! Rating is based on the color/deco/livery and how appropriate it is for this release.
• Cool Factor: The real X-factor here. Does the car resonate with collectors? Will it be sought after?

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 7 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 8

’23 Toyota GR Corolla (chase)

SLIDE STREET 2 0/5

The brand-new, #’23 Toyota GR Corolla casting debuts as the #Chase in this series — IN ALL BLACK — and also in a very busy Rain-X deco (see below). It is the second time this year that a chase appears in the different deco than the common variant with the other being the Porsche 935 in Race Day. While I’m typically a fan of clean, all-black vehicles, I think I would have preferred this one in an all-black, Rain-X deco to serve as a companion piece to the other one this series. I realize I could be in the minority here, but feel as though others may feel the same way.

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 5 • Deco/Livery = 7 • Cool Factor = 9

Nissan 240SX (S14)

SLIDE STREET 4/5

Hot Wheels Marketing Director, Jimmy Liu, has the King Midas touch. It seems as though as every release with his name on the license plate turns to gold on the secondary market. See the RLC R34 Skyline in spectraflame blue or the Boulevard Toyota 4Runner in white. This one features his Instagram name @Toy.Inc on the license plate and is suppose to match his 1:1 #Nissan 240SX (S14). In addition, this is only the second time this casting has seen a clean deco. A quick eBay search will show you that the Modern Classics release in white doesn’t come cheap anymore, and I expect seasoned collectors/resellers will know that as well.

Please note that OTD is part of the eBay Partner Network (EPN). OTD will receive affiliate compensation from the EPN thanks to readers like you clicking on the above link and purchasing items. Think of it as a great way to support OTD!

POWER RATING: 6.7

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 8 • Cool Factor = 6

’23 Toyota GR Corolla

SLIDE STREET 2 3/5

Expect Hot Wheels collectors to take a liking to the new #’23 Toyota GR Corolla. The debut of this casting is Ryan Tuerck’s Formula Drift car which features a bright yellow Rain-X deco. Hot Wheels collectors have been able to build quite the collection of new Toyotas and Formula Drift cars as of late, and this one should appeal to both collections. Plus, with the #Chase coming in some cases, that makes this car less plentiful than the others in this series.

POWER RATING: 6.0

Casting Choice = 7 • Deco/Livery = 5 • Cool Factor = 6

LB-Works Lamborghini Huracán

SLIDE STREET 2 2/5

The Mad Mike “NIMBUL” #LB-Works Lamborghini Huracán returns in premium form here. It’s not Formula Drift, but another very cool, licensed deco from #Mad Mike who has a growing Hot Wheels garage of his own. What could have made it better? Adding the Red Bull logos that are part of the 1:1’s livery. It’s pointing out however, that Mattel will not promote an energy drink on it’s toys, hence the omission here.

POWER RATING: 5.7

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 7 • Cool Factor = 4

’18 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5

SLIDE STREET 2 5/5

For the first time, the Hot Wheels #’18 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5 receives a clean deco. It’s a nice changeup from Hot Wheels as this Mustang has worn nothing but RTR licensed decos from Formula Drift. The casting is slowly becoming one of my favorite #Mustang castings, and it will be interesting to see if other collectors feel the same way.

POWER RATING: 5.3

Casting Choice = 5 • Deco/Livery = 5 • Cool Factor = 6

’23 Nissan Z

SLIDE STREET 2 1/5

The surprise here is that a Nissan ranks at the bottom of this mix. The truth is, there isn’t a bad car in it. The #’23 Nissan Z may be the newest Z, but this release also features a licensed Formula Drift livery — however it isn’t as accurate as some may like. The actual main sponsor, NOS Energy Drink, is removed here. Again, Mattel doesn’t promote energy drinks, so the energy drink brand is replaced with the driver’s name (Chris Forsberg), when it probably would have just been better to omit that part of the design altogether.

There you have it! Our LAST #Power Ratings here on OTD for #2023 Hot Wheels #Car Culture. What do YOU think? Do you agree with these ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

If you were keeping score at home, here is how the FINAL OTD Power Ratings presented by 1 Stop Diecast look for 2023 Car Culture:

UPDATE 6/18/2024 — I received my case from 1 Stop Diecast and it did not disappoint! Check out the unboxing video below.