Mountaineer vs 9-7x

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A

Art&Science

Senior member
Nov 28, 2014
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I'm going to be in Michigan for six months beginning in about three weeks. I want an AWD SUV with a V8 engine and I don't want to spend a ton of money.

I am looking at these two:

2010 Mercury Mountaineer Premier AWD 4.6 V8

2009 Saab 9-7x 5.3i AWD V8

Both of these trucks are body on frame, both have a similar AWD system, both have navigation/infotainment systems. The Mountaineer has a third row power seat which is a bonus. The Saab seats only 5.

Where I'm at the Mercury can be had for about 17K and the Saab for about 12K.

Given the price difference, which would you go for? I don't think the Mercury is 5K better, but I understand the Ford SUV chassis is a lot more modern than the General Motors chassis. For instance the Ford has independent rear suspension.

Thoughts?

Edit: Forgot to mention, the Saab has some features I like the Mercury does not like factory projector HIDs, head-lamp washers, auto-leveling air suspension and remote start.
 
Last edited:
SearchMaster

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
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I'd probably choose the Saab unless I needed the third row. I doubt you'd notice the chassis differences in day to day driving. Both will be capable in the snow with the right tires, and $5000 will buy some really really nice snow tires.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,180
649
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Get the Saab. It's just a rebadged Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy. Figure it is worth less since Saab doesn't exist.
 
J

jaha2000

Senior member
Jul 28, 2008
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Another vote for the saab. Why the need for the big SUV? Where at in Michigan in weather is a concern?
 
BurnItDwn

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,376
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jaha2000 said:
Another vote for the saab. Why the need for the big SUV? Where at in Michigan in weather is a concern?
Click to expand...

Maybe he's near Houghton?

But, if hes going to be near Houghton, then he'll probably do OK with a regular car and then something with skis and a track rather than wheels.
 
pauldun170

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,563
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General rule of thumb for the Mercury Mountaineer was to just drive it straight to the transmission repair shop.
Maybe others have had luck but around here tranny failure are pretty common between 60K and 80K
 
T

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
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Why does it have to be V8? If you're willing to not base your search on an arbitrary number of cylinders, that are WAY better 7-seat SUVs available. I wouldn't touch either of those dinosaurs with a ten foot pole.
 
J

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
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81
Get a Subaru, Audi, or Volvo. I wouldn't trust the AWD system of most of the rest.
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
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I don't find air suspension all that great. As it ages, the air bags start to deteriorate over time and start leaking. I prefer coils.

I don't know how the Mountaineer rides with the IRS, but I do know from experience with my Trailblazer that even though the Saab has a solid axle in the rear it does handle pretty nicely. Compared to the Mountaineer? Don't know. Take it for a spin and test run it.

As a GM guy I'd go the Saab over the Ford, but also because I know that platform pretty well having had one for 5+ years.

All that said, is it really worth buying a vehicle just for a 6 month stay in Michigan? Especially since this winter is shaping up to be quite a mild, blah winter so far? Probably not.

What do you drive now? Why not just get some really good winter tires and drive what you have instead? Heck of a lot cheaper that way if your current vehicle isn't in bad shape or some sports car or something. AWD or 4WD doesn't make you invincible in snow either, it isn't a must-have. Heck, even with 4WD on my Trailblazer I find myself leaving it in 2WD most of the time, even in snow. Good tires make a huge difference.
 
Harrod

Harrod

Golden Member
Apr 3, 2010
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I'd get the Saab, as a bonus you probably won't see 10 of them driving around after you purchase it.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,180
649
126
The 5.3 isn't an LS2. Only the Trailblazer SS had an LS in it. I forget what designation the truck motors use.
 
J

jaha2000

Senior member
Jul 28, 2008
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BurnItDwn said:
Maybe he's near Houghton?

But, if hes going to be near Houghton, then he'll probably do OK with a regular car and then something with skis and a track rather than wheels.
Click to expand...

That is true.
If this is happening soon it looks like we might not have any snow in the near future. We have an advisiory for 1-4" today. But the ground has been bare so far. And 50 again next week.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,180
649
126
Wow. Never knew they made an Aero.

A few years back I was trying to talk the wife into a Trailblazer SS....no dice!
 
rstrohkirch

rstrohkirch

Platinum Member
May 31, 2005
2,434
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Usually in Michigan the cities with heavy annual snow fall also have pretty good road maintenance. You're far better off buying whatever you want and putting on a nice set of winter tires than you are buying a "awd" vehicle. I think I only drove to work around 5 times last year where it had pretty bad weather. You should be more worried about ice than snow.
 
D

Denly

Golden Member
May 14, 2011
1,436
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Not sure how much trouble to get this to work but shop across the border in Ontario may save you 30% with the low exchange rate.
 
A

Art&Science

Senior member
Nov 28, 2014
339
4
46
Thanks for the replies. As for wanting a body on frame V8, I will tow occasionally. Also, I need to be mobile regardless of the conditions and won't always have the luxury of waiting for snow removal. I'm not interested in any unibody or front wheel drive based vehicles for durability reasons. If that's that you want, go for it.
 
BurnItDwn

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,376
1,885
126
jaha2000 said:
That is true.
If this is happening soon it looks like we might not have any snow in the near future. We have an advisiory for 1-4" today. But the ground has been bare so far. And 50 again next week.
Click to expand...

Did you guys get hit in Nov at all?
We got about a foot dumped on is Nov 20-21 in the NW burbs of Chicago
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-winter-weather-1122-20151121-story.html

still, it all melted and has been bare since, with several trips to the 50s and 60s.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,408
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a friend of mine had a 9-7x figuring it would be cheap to work on, but a lot of places refused due to the brand.
 
C

cbrsurfr

Golden Member
Jul 15, 2000
1,686
1
81
No mention of miles on each. Will you be driving them into the ground? If you need to resell then buying dead brands will make it more difficult.
 
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