LEGO 42122 Technic Jeep Wrangler 4x4 Toy Car, Off Roader SUV Model Building Set

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is my first LEGO Technic build for 30ish years. And while some things have moved on amazingly, the original wonder of the LEGO Technic experience remains. As it sits there in its completed glory, I can almost hear my Jeep saying ‘Yeah OK, I'm a yellow/black box but I'm a solid and dependable yellow/black box that will take you where you need to go. It may get bumpy at times, but you can rely on me.' And then I put my hand on it. Not only does it feel solid and reliable but it's also smooth. I touch my old, wonderful LEGO Technic go cart and feel the sharp edges of the bricks. Nothing wrong with this but the rounded nature of these new big yellow structural elements and the rear roll bar, combined with the upbeat yellow vibe, make the Jeep seem friendly and inviting. A few seconds later, I'm rocking it from side to side on its fab suspension. You may find it hard to resist the urge to do this! With springs in the rear suspension, it doesn't just flop around; there's a reassuring sense of controlled resistance as it moves. One area of potential improvement could be to give the rear suspension a slightly greater range of motion, but this doesn't detract from the experience for me. Yes, I can drive it on the floor but I must admit I love putting my Jeep on a table where I can see the wheels move up and down at eye level as it climbs over books and other random objects (sorry, I mean dried out stream-beds and boulders). I can almost hear it humming a happy tune as this is what it's designed for. Axles moving independently means maximum, adaptive four-wheel drive contact with uneven surfaces. Slow and steady really does win this particular race. Turning it upside down, I'm reminded of the complexity underlying the clean outer form. Updated connecting elements bolt and weld together new and evolved components in more sophisticated ways compared to how things were done in the time before mobile phones. But my old go cart is just as great. Then, as now, LEGO Technic gets a gold star for both form and function. Before buying it, I watched the official LEGO Jeep Wrangler Rubicon video and wondered how the moving axle/suspension would work. This core feature was one of the many new LEGO Technic components that made me smile and say things like ‘Wow! That's so cool!' out loud as I put the bits together. Rock the wheels from side to side and it just works. Fluid motion and strong attachment. Great design. Building and playing with this Jeep gave and continues to give me many happy and therapeutic moments. Whether you're an adult or a younger builder, I hope you'll get much enjoyment from this characterful addition to the LEGO family.