TRANSFORMERS TOYS AND MERCHANDISE SECTION

Robot Mode:
Alternate Mode:
Box Art:
Technical Specifications:
STR
INT
SPD
END
RNK
CRG
FPR
SKL

Zeoman4.5's review of: Runabout

Name: Runabout
Affiliation: Decepticon
Function: Shock Trooper
Sub-Group: Battle Charger
“A pretty car makes an even prettier wreck.”

Likes to watch things blow up-the bigger the explosion the better. Uses parked cars and gas station fuel pumps for target practice. Usually very busy as a Battlecharger, but terrified of boredom. Maximum speed 300 km/h. Range: 900 km. Has high energy particle beam rifle. Easily distracted by a beautiful car-because he wants to destroy it, not admire it.

I bought this guy on clearance online. He has not been the greatest of my purchases but he is ultimately quite fun. It has the best concept for an action feature but, performs poorly in it.

Vehicle Mode:

His vehicle mode is just a black car, though I’m not sure which model or if it is even a real car. Anyway it looks fast and a little intimidating. The red for the windows is a real nice touch, but the other stickers are too reflective for my taste. The pull back engine works well (The one I got is in bad shape but it still works great.). I guess it is a fitting mode for a Decepticon, and functional for play. It is not so much for display in this mode because it tends to spring out into robot mode for no apparent reason.

Robot Mode:

After using his battle-charge function, he is now in robot mode. The robot mode adds a new color (grey), and it is otherwise just as dark and intimidating as the car mode. The detail on the head sculpt is excellent and the gun looks good. I also like the little fingers carved on the doors for hands. The main and only flaw in this mode is there is no articulation. Yes, that’s right. None at all; no arm, no leg, no head, nothing. The gun has to sit on his shoulder and can't be moved, so its function is greatly decreased. It can not be attached while in vehicle mode since it could pop out during transformation. It looks cool, but otherwise doesn't do anything.

Transformation: 1. I don't know what to give him. He changes all by himself. Getting him back, though, is a different story.
Durability: 9. Very tough. He survived the Pull Back Jump of Death I built, so...
Fun: 7. He is fun to play with in car mode, and makes for a good display piece in robot mode.
Price: 7. He costs around $8 to $10 out of box.
Summary: 6. The pull back engine and auto-changing are totally sweet, but the unarticulated robot mode isn’t. Mine gets extra points for intact rubsign.