Does GRM get to go on Launch drives

Just out of curiosity, does GRM get invited to the various launch drives for new cars?

I know you review a handful, depending on the car.

But I have yet to see any names that I know on the feedback I'm seeing....

Eric

We go on Lotus, BMW, Mazda, Porsche, Honda and some Subaru launches. We'll be going to select Nissan events in the future.

Gotcha.

May want to go on the Fiesta one if you get invited. And based on comments coming from Colorado right now, an Ecoboost Flex may be a tow trial.

But now I know not to try to weasel on one of these trips just to see friends.

Eric

Put a word in for us...we don't get invited to many Ford launches.

We had a Flex as a rental last week. As far as SUV-ish vehicles go, I liked it.

Speaking of the Flex, I've only seen two around here. Saw a plain Silver one on boring wheels that stickered for way too much and got bad mileage on the dealer lot around a year ago, and promptly forgot about them.

Then today I saw a beautiful red metallic one with a white top and chrome wheels drive by, and it really looked good!

Per Schroeder wrote: Put a word in for us...we don't get invited to many Ford launches.

Oy, careful what you wish for. I was on the Taurus launch... our botched travel arrangements left 4 of us waiting in Chicago O'Hare for over 4 hours. They had to leave a couple of cars at the airport for us, Gad, it was exhausting driving to the hotel that night.

Per Schroeder wrote: We go on Lotus, BMW, Mazda, Porsche, Honda and some Subaru launches. We'll be going to select Nissan events in the future.

Don't forget our friends at Porsche, Hyundai and Toyota! But yeah, we haven't done much with Ford lately. Odd, because we know them....

How do I get friends at Porsche?

David S. Wallens wrote:

Per Schroeder wrote: We go on Lotus, BMW, Mazda, Porsche, Honda and some Subaru launches. We'll be going to select Nissan events in the future.

Don't forget our friends at Porsche, Hyundai and Toyota! But yeah, we haven't done much with Ford lately. Odd, because we know them....

Besides me, who else? I'm a grunt of no real consequence.

The reason I bring it up is that there's a drive out in Colorado right now for the press with our new Flex Ecoboost, and the towing ability is being heavily featured. Since GRM has done some excellent vehicle reviews for towing, I thought it would have been perfect for you guys.

Alas, I'll have to ask my boss who the marketing people are to put you on the list.

At least you are getting some press vehicles- I saw the Flex you had. For most GRM'ers, though, where towing is a strong desire, this newer one is better suited to towing.

Can't promise anything, being a grunt, but I'll at least try.

Eric

I told my wife I was thinking bout a flex when we got her a new car. I showed her a met. red one with a white top near our house. She said it would be perfact for me, with the white top it looked like a Mini for fat guys.

i was told they looked like a hearse, and that if i got one i should open a funeral home.

i think they're pretty slick looking

I really liked the Flex press car we had. Really, really liked it. Odd, though--I saw a nearly identical one pull up behind me and into the turn lane right next to mine at the traffic light, and the people in it never once turned to look at the one I was driving. Obviously it appeals to non-car people, too.

Margie

Marjorie Suddard wrote: I really liked the Flex press car we had. Really, really liked it. Odd, though--I saw a nearly identical one pull up behind me and into the turn lane right next to mine at the traffic light, and the people in it never once turned to look at the one I was driving. Obviously it appeals to non-car people, too. Margie

Thankfully it does- currently one of the cars that's really helping our recovery. I think you'll like the one I worked on even more- think 80 more hp and lb-ft.

I personally think we did the right thing with the styling- give it some. People will like or dislike it, but it is hard to ignore. And enough people do like it.

E-

The Flex is an eye catcher, that's for sure. I'm still sorta on the fence about the styling. I haven't driven one, but it looks to me like it would have a lot of 'sideways' headroom which not a lot of cars have any more.

It's extremely comfortable and nice to drive.

My wife is in the "hate it" camp when it comes to the styling of the Flex, but she's happy enough with the Taurus X, so it doesn't matter.

Though it would be nice to have another tow vehicle....

Please note- it wasn't my intention to "brag" about the Flex- it's just that the recent Flex drive reminded me of GRM and if they do any of these vehicle launch drives.

Just wanted to point that out.

Alfadriver, you got mail.

alfadriver wrote: Please note- it wasn't my intention to "brag" about the Flex- it's just that the recent Flex drive reminded me of GRM and if they do any of these vehicle launch drives. Just wanted to point that out.

i don't think anyone thought you were paddling in here. i'll kindly ask you to remember this thread next time you think everyone just wants to dump on the domestics for no reason.

Strizzo wrote:

alfadriver wrote: Please note- it wasn't my intention to "brag" about the Flex- it's just that the recent Flex drive reminded me of GRM and if they do any of these vehicle launch drives. Just wanted to point that out.

i don't think anyone thought you were paddling in here. i'll kindly ask you to remember this thread next time you think everyone just wants to dump on the domestics for no reason.

See, my issue is when uneven rules are applied. That's all I try to call people out on. If you don't like domestics because they are ugly (IYHO), that's fine. Or that they don't fit, or whatever like that.

But when you say F or G's cars are all boring, but Toyota and Hondas are the bees knees, then I point out the obvious. Boring is boring whether it's from Ford, GM, Toyota, or Nissan. (or many other attributes that Ford and GM share with Toyota, Honda, and Nissan) So judge F and G evenly.

E-

alfadriver wrote: Gotcha. May want to go on the Fiesta one if you get invited. And based on comments coming from Colorado right now, an Ecoboost Flex may be a tow trial. But now I know not to try to weasel on one of these trips just to see friends. Eric

Please tell me that a Flex with EcoBoost will be able to tow more than 3500 lbs. (ie. use a Class 3 hitch and tow 5000 lbs.) If true, then I may have found the replacement for my Explorer.

NGTD wrote:

alfadriver wrote: Gotcha. May want to go on the Fiesta one if you get invited. And based on comments coming from Colorado right now, an Ecoboost Flex may be a tow trial. But now I know not to try to weasel on one of these trips just to see friends. Eric

Please tell me that a Flex with EcoBoost will be able to tow more than 3500 lbs. (ie. use a Class 3 hitch and tow 5000 lbs.) If true, then I may have found the replacement for my Explorer.

from what I understand, it's 4500lb. And will be class 3.