Valid points, although they could side-step the last one by calling it Super Hot Rod, thus closing the redeco circle...
But, I can't see a better way to release a new Sideburn: licensed vehicles don't happen outside of Crossover figures, and Sideburn's very shellformery design simply doesn't happen with modern transformers. Unless someone at Hasbro/TakaraTomy is VERY committed to producing a new Sideburn figure, with engineering that emulates the robot mode without the shellformer aspect, it would be hard to stay faithful to the original without simply reissueing it. So that leaves a "close enough" redeco; Hot Rod is the established body form, maybe one of the Stunticons might work with some faux parts remolded? Granted, there's no reason to think anyone among the powers that be wants to do a new Sideburn, since this only came up as a possible Hot Rod redeco, but I would like to see more of the RiD01 cast get new figures...
...of course, I'd really like them to be in Core class, but that's any entirely other discussion. What do you think, sirs?