Is LEGO Technic just a big parking lot these days?
I really like LEGO Technic. That’s exactly why I can totally relate to the current discussion on Reddit. The same question keeps coming up there: Does Technic consist almost entirely of cars these days?
That’s not entirely fair. But it’s not completely wrong either.
I collect the large 1:8-scale supercars myself and wouldn’t want to be without my Porsche, Bugatti, Lamborghini, or Ferrari. These models look impressive, take a long time to build, and really stand out on the shelf. For many fans, they’re even their first foray into LEGO Technic.
So the real problem isn’t the car. It’s the lack of variety.
In the past, the technology itself was the star
In Reddit discussions, older classics are mentioned time and again. These include the LEGO Technic 8880 Super Car, the 8480 Space Shuttle, and the 8043 motorized crawler excavator.
These models represent an era when gears, cable mechanisms, pneumatic systems, and motors were not meant to be hidden beneath a body as smooth as possible. The mechanical components were visible and often the most important part of the entire set.
To this day, many fans cite the 8043 in particular as an example of how a large Technic model should be designed: The functions weren’t just an added bonus. They were the real reason to build the model.
The community misses machines with character
Among the newer sets, models that offer more than just a nice body are receiving particular praise. These include the CAT D11 Bulldozer (42131), the Heavy-Duty Tow Truck (42128), and the Volvo FMX Truck with Electric Excavator (42175).
42131 Price Comparison · Wishlist and Deal Alerts
42128 in Price Comparison · Wishlist and deal alerts
42175 in Price Comparison · Wishlist and deal alerts
These are models that stand out for more than just their design. People talk about the pneumatic systems, gearboxes, cable mechanisms, motors, suspension systems, and features that you can actually use once the model is assembled.
Unusual ideas demonstrate the potential
A particularly nice counterexample to the Car Wave set is the Planetarium 42179. This model demonstrates how LEGO Technic can make motion easy to understand without needing wheels or a sports car license.
42179 in Price Comparison · Price Trends · Wishlist and Deal Alerts
What the Fans Want
- More excavators, cranes, and agricultural machinery
- More pneumatic components and visible gears
- Airplanes, helicopters, and ships
- Unusual Machines and Mechanical Models
- useful motorized features
- More alternative B-models again
My Conclusion
I think the criticism on Reddit is justified, but it’s not fundamentally directed at cars. Many fans love supercars. They just want to see more boldness and more variety again.
LEGO Technic can continue to offer cars. But amid all the race cars, there should be more room again for pneumatic systems, cranes, excavators, aircraft, and unusual machines.
Technic isn’t just meant to show what a vehicle looks like. Above all, the series is meant to show how technology works.
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