Other Cars DO NOT Work!!
I bought this after reading other reviews saying other hotwheels, matchbox cars, and diecast Pixar Character cars would work... they don't! The tracks are not wide enough to accommodate other cars (we tried about 30 different ones!), they get stuck halfway down. The cars that come with the set are much smaller than most die cast cars. A little frustrating considering the price. I would return it for a refund but my son loves it, he doesn't seem to mind only being able to use the cars it came with.

A Pretty Fun Toy
This is a pretty fun toy. The only thing that disappointed me is that you can't race other cars on it, only the two that came with the track. My son loved it right out of the box though (no assembly is required) and he continues to enjoy it a few weeks later.

The sound effects can be a little annoying. They're meant to start every time the child begins a race, but seem to occur every time I touch the track.

Favorite toy 2 years running
My son received this for his 2nd birthday. He is now turning 4 this month and not a day goes by that this toy isn't used. I have brought this on overnights to Grandmas, away with us on vacation, etc and it provides hours of fun. Our library has this and my son even plays with it when we go there. He really can't get enough of it.

The starting platform at the top of the track is on a spring mechanism so that when you place the cars on the track you hear revving engine sounds. Then there is a lever that you press to tilt the platform, sending the cars racing down the track. This track is durable, with no small breakable pieces and is compatable with most matchbox and hotwheels sized cars. The batteries last FOREVER - seriously, in 2 years, I don't think I've ever replaced them.

Now that my son is a little older, he likes to pull out his matchbox cars and predict which will be the fastest in the race.

Definitely recommend this as a toy that is not only durable enough, but also entertaining enough to play with for several years.

My 2 yr old loves it
My son loves it but then again, he loves anything with cars. It only works with the 2 small cars that come with it and if they aren't put on the track exactly right, they get stuck on the way down. Pretty good for the price but the sound is annoying. Can't turn it off.

Not compatible with die-cast Disney Cars!
I purchased this item for my son with use of his die-cast Disney Cars. However, most of the die-cast ones were too big to make the turns on this track. So, even though it is listed to be compatible with die-cast cars, that doesn't necessarily mean the ones from Disney/Pixar! We ended up getting some of the "Mini-Adventures" plastic ones for my son to use on this track as well. That all being said, he loves racing on this track. It is just frustrating that it can not be used as we initially planned and were lead to believe.