Why me GRM? What did I do to you?

(please play overly dramatic violin music in the background when reading)

I have been a reader and subscriber for many years, and GRM is the reason I got involved in many car-related things. Articles on how to modify your cheap car with parts from a junkyard were my bible when building a Civic. Then I stepped up to a MK1 MR2 at about the time the GRM picked on up and was so excited to work alongside them as we improved our little doorstops. But then the relationship went south. The MR2 build stalled, and GRM went off in other directions never to return to "our" project. I felt like I was dumped at the Prom.

GRM became interested in shiny new cars with new parts sourced from their best advertisers and supporters. They were building cool stuff and racing and meeting lots of new friends. So I did my homework and searched for the best GRM car available. Something small and nimble, but practical and inexpensive for a regular Joe to own. Something with excellent performance right out of the box, but with tons of potential and aftermarket support. Not since the MK4 Civic has such a perfect platform been available, and then it happened. Ford introduced the Fiesta ST and I knew we had something in common again! But once again, GRM left me at the altar.

Here I am with a car that could fill pages for project builds, an introduction to autocrossing, setup for track days, dyno testing components...but alas this car, this amazing car, this car that is the exact type of car that made GRM what it is today, this little gem is shunned by GRM. No test drives. No reviews. No project car. No mention from GRM at all. Oh sure they raced a base Fiesta for a while, and loved it. You'd think they would be dying to get their hands on an ST. But No. And they see it growing in GS and about to dominate HS. But they ignore the obvious writing on the wall. And sure, there are great Forum posts from owners and racers who are gushing over this gift from Ford of Europe. Finally, we get what they get "over there" (ok with two additional doors). GRM should be over the moon and be all over it. But they aren't. They even grabbed a Focus SVT and liked it and still they deny the ST any coverage. For shame. For shame.

Why GRM? WHY?!?!? (as I break down, sobbing in tears, inconsolable on the floor)

LOL Is that enough drama to get a review of the Fiesta ST? I was channeling my teenage daughter.

Its because it's not the 2014 KIA rondo.

Maybe Nick Comstock got to them with his Ford hatred.

Maybe if they say really nice things about it my dad will get one and give me his SVT Focus. Seems like a worthy cause to me.

Fear of tipping it over on street tires

Because it's slow.

In reply to Toyman01:

One can only hope

ProDarwin wrote: Fear of tipping it over on street tires

Check out the December 2013 issue--compared it to the Focus ST, even, just for you.

David S. Wallens wrote: Check out the December 2013 issue--compared it to the Focus ST, even, just for you.

all those dramatics, for naught...

BWAHAHAHA

I actually think they have given it plenty of praise thus far. I mean sure there haven't been articles dedicated to it like the fiat 500 abarth, but they've put a good amount of praise towards it in ink.

pinchvalve wrote: LOL Is that enough drama to get a review of the Fiesta ST? I was channeling my teenage daughter.

I must say, you did a scary good job of it, too. I think you just needed to throw something and slam a door to get perfect 10's even from the Russian judge.

Last I heard JG still had the AW11. I know he was planning the SC swap but after building the Mach 1.5 I kinda want to turbo and megasquirt the crap out of an aw11, or at least read as GRM does it for me.

Are you kidding? I'm still waiting for a Kia (or Hyundai) build. I'd even volunteer my car, garage and (lack of) talent!

Unfortunately, we just did a Fiesta. You all would complain about our magazine "just being about new Fiestas" if we did two in a row like that.

I wouldn't be surprised if one joins our fleet a few years down the road, though.

Tom Suddard wrote: Unfortunately, we just did a Fiesta. You all would complain about our magazine "just being about new Fiestas" if we did two in a row like that.

Durn right we would! There are way too many makes and models out there to lock onto any one. And that includes my personal favorites as well.

evildky wrote: Last I heard JG still had the AW11. I know he was planning the SC swap but after building the Mach 1.5 I kinda want to turbo and megasquirt the crap out of an aw11, or at least read as GRM does it for me.

I will own an AW11 for as long as I am a citizen of the earth. Mine's sitting not 50 feet from me right now. Sadly with a blown head gasket. We've been dealing with a lot of crazy family stuff lately, and I've had the 350Z on my plate, but my goal is to at least get it back on the road by spring when the Volt lease ends.

The Korean cars are the next hot cheap builds! I'm calling it now!

kazoospec wrote:

pinchvalve wrote: LOL Is that enough drama to get a review of the Fiesta ST? I was channeling my teenage daughter.

I must say, you did a scary good job of it, too. I think you just needed to throw something and slam a door to get perfect 10's even from the Russian judge.

Oh right, I missed that. And the "I HATE YOU! YOU ARE NOT MY REAL MAGAZINE ANYWAY!" LOL

In reply to Bobzilla:

It can't hurt that they were built with Mitsubishi engines and 90s Elantras and Sonatas accept 4g63t swaps challenge fodder anyone?

Bobzilla wrote: Are you kidding? I'm still waiting for a Kia (or Hyundai) build. I'd even volunteer my car, garage and (lack of) talent!

I hope they don't. Just to spite you. Damned, dirty Korean Gingers!

Hint: write the damned article yourself, get some decent pixxors and submit it to them for the magazine.

In reply to pinchvalve: Since you're disappointed in their coverage of the Fiesta St, imagine how you would feel if you bought a M235i brand new and they suddenly quit covering it like with their other cars.

JG Pasterjak wrote:

evildky wrote: Last I heard JG still had the AW11. I know he was planning the SC swap but after building the Mach 1.5 I kinda want to turbo and megasquirt the crap out of an aw11, or at least read as GRM does it for me.

I will own an AW11 for as long as I am a citizen of the earth. Mine's sitting not 50 feet from me right now. Sadly with a blown head gasket. We've been dealing with a lot of crazy family stuff lately, and I've had the 350Z on my plate, but my goal is to at least get it back on the road by spring when the Volt lease ends.

I didn't realize your feelings for the AW11 were so strong, perhaps that article will be better suited to an online fetish site? So whats the current thought for the aw11? I now initially it was supposed to be a SC swap but I seem to recall you mentioning something about keeping it closer to stock? I do really love the chassis, the 3SGTE swap was terrible. After the Mach 1.5 I really wanted to do a turbo'd megasquirt'd 4age powered AW11 in black with a Racer X theme but AW11's are tough to find not rotted out here in the rustbelt.

The Z33 is still on my list of cars to own. So many cars, so little time.... and money... mostly money.

I bought my FX16 and closely followed the AutoX (GRM's former moniker) articles on the Pro Solo build. That was in 1987. Not much coverage since then.

pinchvalve wrote: But once again, GRM left me at the altar. Why GRM? WHY?!?!? (as I break down, sobbing in tears, inconsolable on the floor)