johnnytifosi

I was talking about the older guy who designed the 8868 obviously.

Wow, do we know the designer's name? Somehow I feel sad knowing that he is still working there. How can Technic be in such a sorry state nowadays when there are still people in the team that designed such legendary sets?

The little snow groomer was the last Technic set I bought on principle, as it was the last one with a B-model too. I have zero interest in new Technic, even if I got out of dark ages only a couple of years ago. It really feels like a TLG induced dark age for me as another commenter wrote above, because I would be willing to buy new sets if they were interesting or worth it. At least, I keep scanning the local ads and buy vintage Technic sets here and there. Why complain "they don't make them like the 8880 / 8868 / 42043 / you name it anymore", and not just buy that set? There is no way you can't find an interesting set in Technic's 50 year old history that you don't already own. They are superior to whatever junk TLG releases nowadays, and being used, they are way better value too. Last month I scored a used 8485 Control Center in its box for 100 euros, there is nothing in the current offerings that even comes close to this legend for the money. I have got my Christmas holidays building sorted out now :)

While it looks good indeed, I am disappointed that this is a remake too. It is a year wasted, since they reduced the line down to one set per year.

Yeah for the polarity switches you would have to go the bricklink way unfortunately, unless you are DIY inclined. It is then worth opening them up and checking for corroded contacts, mechanical parts like these are intuitive to repair. Battery boxes usually are not problematic, unless the battery contacts have corroded because you forgot a battery in there for years. It is an easy fix with some sand paper. It is weird that you didn't mention the micromotors in both your 8480 and 8082, because these are notoriously unreliable.

You can easily repair them yourself with new 2 pin 24 AWG cables. Here you go: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000484027064.html

There is a rumour for another Fast and Furious set with a female character (probably Letty). I really hope it's Suki and her pink S2000 instead, I read the same sentiment on Reddit too.

No. You can buy replacement tubes by the meter in Aliexpress. Search for silicone hose with inner diameter ID 2mm and outer diameter OD 4mm. I've bought black ones and they look exactly like the "original" tube (which Lego most likely is outsourcing anyway). Example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004444889203.html

In the past we had 7-8 sets in a good year, but at least Lego gave a shit back then and they were products with serious thought put into them and a B-model. Now most of the sets are cookie cutter re-releases of the same design.

Because I don't have the spare loose parts, talent and time to come up with a large MOC, as most people do. I'm pretty sure designers at Lego spend several months working full time to prepare large sets. Moreover, getting parts from Bricklink / PaB is VERY expensive compared to buying complete sets.

These threads keep popping up which is good because there are more people dissatisfied with modern Technic. However, I will keep repeating myself and say once again that licensing works. Lego is doing better than ever even if they have lost their soul and are just reduced to licensed merchandise. The Lego brand itself is not as strong as Star Wars, Harry Potter or Ferrari. We may like what Technic was once in the 90s, but it will never be the same again because it does not sell as well. Somebody correctly observed that a niche theme like Technic got reduced to the lowest common denominator to reach the widest possible audience. Personally, I barely got out of my dark ages a couple of years ago, but I am going to enter them again as it seems. I got most of the vintage sets I always wanted, and I have no interest in the new crap that Lego keeps churning out. No B-models, functionless sets, elimination of a clear motorization option, absurd pricing have all but killed my love for the theme. Only Creator 3-in-1 seems to still capture a bit of that original Lego spirit for me, even if I was never that into System in the first place. I urge anyone in the same position just to buy used older sets. The pool of vintage sets is endless and there is always a type of vehicle that Lego did better in the past and you will get it for a better price, a B-model and possibly a motor. For example, I see people here demanding a new backhoe. Instead of waiting for whatever overpriced soulless licenced set Lego will churn out, just get a certified classic like a 8455. Do you want a dump truck? Get a 8052. Do you want a supercar with functions? Get a 8880 and so on.

Pics of all the January 2025 sets sorted by set number: 30688 Tropical Toucan 30689 Birthday Party Animals 30691 Mini Monster Truck 31159 Wild Animals - Surprise Spider 31160 Racing Aircraft 31161 Green Dragon 31162 Bunny \ 31163 Grey Cat 31164 Space Robots 31165 Wild Animals - Panda Family 31169 Typewriter with Flowers 31170 Wild Animals - Pink Flamingo

Yeap, given the piece count my prediction was correct. The backhoe is utter crap. Damn even the unlicensed sets are bad this year.

Even the non-licensed sets are properly disappointing this year, first the dump truck and now this. These lame linkage mechanisms are super low effort from Lego.

I haven't been excited for a new Technic set in a long time, but some sets in this wave are just so laughably bad that you have to wonder how they got through the decision process. That Supra is downright embarrassing. Anyway, keep consuming product and get excited for new product.