I think I'm becoming THAT guy

 Actually scratch that, after this afternoon I am becoming THAT guy. And it's all the fault of a guy called Jez from Instagram..

Introducing THAT guy

You know the one - a man of near middle age (possibly roughly four decades or more of circling round the sun) you see ferreting around particular racks in various toy stores, making strange noises while looking for that one particular toy that will apparently make his life complete. 

That was me this afternoon, on the hunt for a small hunk of metal and plastic worth a grand total of $2. There's a first time for everything and today the hunt began in earnest across one huge shopping center and a couple toy stores within. 

And did I find it? Of course I didn't, effectively ruining this whole week. The whole month. All of the rest of 2020. I can't be dealing (or whatever the kids say these days) #futuremanchild #gimmethattoy

It's all Jez's fault!

Actually on second thoughts, it really isn't. But he still did put up a post/gram photo recently that started this whole hunting business so if I had to blame anyone here, he certainly didn't help matters. 

The photo in question involved....this Hot Wheels car!

Because up until now I had no idea that Hot Wheels had even made a 1989 Mazda Rx7 FC3S!

The same make, model and even freaking year of a car I once owned!

(Note the same color though - I had a white one with peeling paint that I paid too much for, spent too much on and was quite surprised when it didn't explode as soon as I handed the keys over to the new owner. Even more amazing was the fact that it keeps rising from the dead and in better condition each and every time.)

(Also a fun fact - I had agreed to buy a red one originally that looked just like the model above but after a confusing situation involving who actually owned it originally and me very hesitant on something dodgy happening, I backed away. Apparently the car in question then ended up with a stuck apex seal and then stolen two weeks later. Yeah I don't know either.) 

As far as I was aware, Hot Wheels never made an FC3S from 1989 until now. And if they did, I completely missed it. But thanks to Jez and his post, the hunt for one began. 

Why am I trying to find it? Because it's the closest I'll come to having one ever again. The car was stupid amounts of fun but I certainly paid for the experience with heart breaking attacks to the credit card. I wince in memory. Ouch. 

(Also Hot Wheels haven't produced a White GC8 Wrx or a metallic beige Lexus SC300/Toyota Soarer yet to my knowledge, both of which I will add to my tiny collection of 'models of cars I once owned and spent too much money on.') 

How much trouble could a small metal model of it get me into exactly?

Step aside kids, I need to investigate these shelves thoroughly!

So I went to Target and searched the entire rack, not there. A few other cars from the Nightburnerz collection, no Mazda.

What about in the multi car packs? Er no. 

Wait, what about this side of the shelves?

Also a no. (No Skylines either because I suspect Nissan fans like myself have already snapped them all up..)

Kmart should have one then surely? 

Ahh no. Not a single Nightburnerz anywhere. Who bought them all? (Or has someone not gotten around to stacking the shelves again?)

Coincidentally in the same shopping center, if I bought a ticket I had a chance of winning this: 

 

But I can't stick this on my desk now can I? #useless

So do you have my prized Mazda?

If so, perhaps I can tempt you with a swap for one of these? 

Somewhere in my house there remains a still in the packet Shane Warne Spin King Hot Wheels and I am more than happy to part with it if you have one of these new Mazdas, still in its pack. Current price for Warnie's ride on eBay range anything from $5 to A Billion dollars so you'd definitely come out the winner here. 

Keen? Just let me know below. 

In the meantime the hunt will continue..