Curious about the Saab 9-7x? There have been a lot of positive AND negative opinions about it. In this video, lets test drive all 3 trims and have some basic talk on the platform. Be sure to find our group SAABMERICA on Facebook!!!
I've gotten mine done finally! Supercharged, methanol injection, forged, rods, and everything I could do to the transmission. What do you know about the exact differences in the suspension? I think my sway bars are thicker, and my front springs are lower. Can you point me to any data? GM gets confused when trying to look up my rig...
@@ohane1 From what I could find on line "Saab had made enhancements to the vehicle's GM made chassis. Saab had also added a lower ride height, firmer springs and shock absorbers, larger brakes with steel front calipers, a strengthened frame, steering revisions and a thicker front stabiliser bar."
@@CardboardSliver Well I can tell you the brakes are the same... my front sway bar is thicker, but even Moog has bushings for it, so it must share some other GM vehicle's design where it goes to the body. My front springs are lower, so I kept them but upgraded the struts. I wish I coulda found some info on the springs, but GM doesn't seem to know.
@@dylanlee982 Every performance part Sonnax sells & more... lol. Yank 2800rpm torque converter, Beast Sunshell, Smart tech input/drum, Billet input & output shafts, "Sonnax performance pack," 4th gear super hold servo kit, 2nd gear super hold servo, Sonnax line pressure boost kit, Sonnax dual piston overdrive servo, heavy duty 2-3 shift valve, caged 29 sprag, carbon wide band, billet forward clutch piston, 13 vane billet pump rotor, Sonnax pinless forward accumulator piston, high output pump spring, 3-4 boost springs, Sonnax boost valve 3-4 kit, Sonnax TCC line pressure boost kit, Sonnax TCC apply valve kit, Raybestos red clutches, Transgo improved separator plate w/ plastic check valves, and a transmission cooler.... and a lotta computer tuning to match, my programming would blow stock ones fast! Ya know, just a basic rebuild ;) I'm not tuned nor running E85 yet & have run 0-60 in 4.1 and I haven't launched off the stall yet outta fear, I roll into gas from stops. Tranny is weakest link still 4 sure, nothing on the street has come close enough to try yet.
I can see how some people think it isn't a "real Saab", but at the same time, car companies have always had different cars for different markets. Even MB and BMW have ridiculous 1 litre diesel things for Europe. Guess, what, it might be dangerous trying to merge onto a freeway in the USA in one of those! For a small village in Belgium, ok, great, 1 litre diesel it all you want, but that isn't going to sell first of all, and is entirely not useful in the USA. So, a Saab suv with a v-8 in it??? YES PLEASE. Makes perfect sense for the American market.
I belonged to trailvoy.com and visited/toured the plant in Moraine ohio where these were made. Loved the Saab aero the best. I want another sooo bad had tb5.3, tb4.2 and tbss. The Saab was perfect blend of sport and class.
I was under the impression the Saab 9-7x all came with the AWD transfer case in lieu of the 2HI, A4WD, 4HI, & 4LO transfer case. I have been searching high and low for a trailblazer and/or envoy.
After two more years and buying a 5.3 (ARC), can confirm Power steering lines a major issue for ALL GMT-360. Transmission cooling line next up. Had to replace both on both the 4.2 (2009 @ 120k) and the 5.3 (2007 @ 130k) All else good. Replaced ALL fluids as maintenance of both vehicles......keep an eye on front diff fluid level, small leaks ok, but low fluid a disaster. Mr. P
I used to have a 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada with 4.2 and later i got a 2009 Saab 9.7X with 4.2 and i towed quite heavy trailers especially car haulers with regular sedans and it did a good job. Bravada has 275Hp and did good job and Saab with extra 20HP actually made a little difference in towing. I agree that low end torque was low but once you picked up some speed it was pretty good.
Great video. Even though it is the second least Saab of any Saab, I'd love to have an Aero as a tow rig for my Turbo X. It's also the best looking out of all the Trailblazers.
Agreed. Definitely best looking. I really miss mine. Didn't realize how much I utilized what it provides. I constantly get told to just get a Wagon but it's not the same. Not even comparable lol.
I have an Aero, got it for $8,300 and got addicted to speed. IMHO it's the one of the best sleepers ever made. I'm hoping mine will be the fastest Aero ever. Sadly there is no following with these cars and many parts (headlights for example, are true HID only on the Aero) are different and nobody seems to know it. Wish I could find somebody that knows all the differences between mine and the "normal" 9-7x variants.
How/where did you get your additional keys/fobs done and programmed? Is it identical to the procedure of a chevy TB? Not having much luck finding legitimate info on google
I owned a 2008 97-X Aero. Great truck but the front diff stripped out at 65K miles which I found out was very common. I felt like I couldn't drive it the way it was designed any more after that and traded it for a 2014 Charger R/T
minute 5:40 on, you said is ¨basically a LS 5.3¨, basically meaning is an actual LS or it has some SAAB tunning?? need to know if it is a LS or not?! thanks in advance, also does anybody knows which rear and front differential are used (DANA, GM differentials)
Does anyone have experience with these on snow and/or ice? I had a TB w/ 4wd, and it was very competent on snow/ice. I'm contemplating getting a 97, but, I'm anxious the performance on snow/ice. Any input is appreciated
I'm curious about the suspension differences between the different trim levels. I'm guessing there are significant differences. According to the parts books, it looks like all the suspension parts are the same between Saab, Olds, Buick, and Chevy SUVs. I've driven them and they seem very different. Also, does the Aero use premium fuel only?
Aero level is the way to go, but are more rare and $$. Meanwhile, the 4.2 and 5.3 levels are some of the best bargins out there! When I bought my 4.2i a few years ago, the air suspension was already changed out to a conventional spring system. I am sure the air springs made for a good ride, but you have to figure at some point in the future you will develop a leak, which if not caught in time, will result in pump issue.
I have a 2006 5.3. The front diff failed on me last week, which freaked me out with all that grinding metal noise. I couldn't afford the parts or labor (quote was for $350 used part and $1300 labor), so I had it towed to a mechanic friend of the family who has a Trailblazer SS. He took out the front diff parts and converted to rwd for about $250. He did this to his SS, as well, and says it's better this way because it could cause damage to the motor. What do you think about that? Btw, great video.
I know exactly what your friend did. Yes, that can be done. Is it better? Less moving parts means less things to break. But yes on these vehicles the front diff can grenade so bad it can damage the engine so you lucked out!
I personally own a 9-7x with the aero package. It's a monster! Also I try not to dog it to much because I know the 6.0 has the issue and believe the 5.3 does two but under hard acceleration the oil pick gets starved and you can starve the engine. Everything else you said is 100% correct. It's a GM after all lol. Plus if you are in the market for an aero good luck. 21 silver made and 443 blacks where made.
I've had a engine failure due to oil starvation... I had done some mods...H&C, headers,cam,CAI,torque converter and tune and it was a beast... until it developed a rod knock... they make a oil pump pickup tube relocation kit to fix this problem...
Maybe it's a regional thing? It looks like you're in Arizona? No need to wash snow off the lights there so dealers didn't pick it as an option, but much more useful here in Washington.
@@saabsofamerica5328 hey change of plans. I've decided to trade my 02 bravada for 04 buick rainier for $200. But the 4.2l is no good. Perfect candidate for a swap. The 6.0 lq4 is my potential choice but what exactly should i get along with the engine for my type of build?
Great video! Have an 09 9-7x 4.2, dark Blue with running boards, 4yrs and 40k + miles. The looks have outlasted the Trailblazer, but 9-7x's can still be found for a better price and they are LOADED with options. Other things besides the aforementioned rear air system. Washer pumps: Easy fix, right behind the passenger headlamp, but they will fail. Exhaust manifold on 4.2 "Atlas" engine, not just Saab issue, all newer GMT360 platform. My 1st was replaced under service bulletin aka extended warranty (lucky me and had local Saab dealer that was GREAT (Troy, MI). Now on second "doorman" unit that I installed. In fairness, believe last failure was due to collapse of rear air suspension that put a load on the exhaust manifold and allowed enough deflection to break newer manifold. Saab 9-7x prone to corrosion at leading edge of engine hood. Common to 9-7x, but not other GMT360's. Started 1.5yrs ago on my vehicle that has less than 110K (rust belt.....grrrr) All below is for all GMT360: Window regulators: replace drivers, now need to replace passenger side....cheap and easy Thermostat: Again easy and fails OPEN (no heat in winter) Wheel bearings - front:....again easy fix, replace with Moog even for rust jacked ABS sensor (Rt Ft was bearing, 6mo later intermittent ABS signal on Lt Ft....aka rust jack) Rear lamp assembly....have tendency to overheat and melt bulb socket.... replaced complete light assy from ebay for $60 and now have good spare housing (only wire harness was affected....yes I could have repaired this was EASY and I had a scuff on my unit) Throttle-Body Positioning Sensor.......4.2 Atlas...... MUST keep oil clean to avoid cam-phase actuator issues.....I change oil with full on Mobile-1 at 50% oil cycle (~5,000miles) Coil-On-Plugs (have not had to replace yet, but believe I am starting to get a random mis-fire that feels like a drive line issue) Have scope, will follow.....COP issue based on much research with other Atlas engines.....failure rate VERY low compared to many other brands. Other than that......GREAT! Will KEEP, and ....buy again....SAABLZR! GO! Almost as cool as a Saabaru! P
Awesome video! I wonder if you know: Are there any differences in the suspension between variants? I know the TBSS has higher suspension than the Aero, which I have. I just realized I need to change out my airbags because one is bad. I have a LOT of trouble finding accurate info because hardly anybody has the Aero. Supposedly the Saab engineers changed the suspension from the TBSS but parts dealers show incorrect parts and GM dealers look at me funny when I come in. Too bad you aren't closer to Seattle, I'd love to show you mine. I'm close to finishing it. I have a TVS2300 supercharger, custom pistons, cam, headers, CNC milled heads, methanol injection and a highly modified 4L70E. If you're ever up this way let me know. Hopefully I haven't broken it too badly yet.
I don't think the suspension is different between any of the 9-7x variants to be honest. I know it's different variants from other models like the trailblazer and envoy. I know the RWD and AWD trailblazers have different front suspension because of the weight and how torque is delivered. Even the AWD trailblazer has different part numbers than the 9-7x. I'm a little fuzzy on details but what I do remember was looking for lowering springs. It got to the point after going through so many GM part numbers and gauging how low general lowering springs would achieve, that it was possible lowering springs wouldn't even lower it. The 9-7x was already low enough lol. Hmmmmmmmm.... I think I'm going to have to come up to Seattle!! I miss superchargers.
I'd love to show ya my sleeper... I know I read about a poor guy that bought TBSS front shocks and springs and it raised his front end. I've also read that Saab engineers somehow designed the "air suspension" on the "Saab" variants. Sadly, no GM dealership I can find has any part # info on our rigs. When I had shifting problems (because I had burned my clutches, and foolishly hoped flashing the computer with upgrades would help...) the dealer had to pretend mine was a TBSS to flash it. Now I'm 100% custom, computer nannies coming off the shifting as well. I've installed every kit/part Sonnax sells for the 4L70E. Hoping I don't grenade it too quickly. Almost all the guys that go where I have go 2wd. I'm going to find the weak points for sure.
Great Review! I am planning to buy 2008 9-7X Aero with 180,000 miles this weekend. The car has broken transmission. What is the price for this vehicle with such damage? I never saw Saab 9-7X on the lift. Did Saab put any rust protection on it or they are the same bad as GM? I live in Massachusetts and all GM is completely rusty at this age. Thank you again for the great review and Happy New Year!
Always be careful buying a broken car. Never know what else could have problems. Transfer case, differential, axles, hub bearings, etc. Value is impossible to determine like this lol. Don't know how many owners, documentation, body condition, etc etc. BUT I do know they do have bad rust spots just like the Trailblazers. Almost all the 9-7x I find back east that I'm interested in have rust. But I have not once yet seen a catastrophic one that ends the cars life. Mostly surface stuff. Also check door jams and back hatch area.
Actually it's more Saab then the Epsilon 9-3s because (and i don't know why) GM decided to put a genuine Saab suspension onto the 9-7x but they put a cheap Chevy Malibu suspension on the 2003+ Saabs 9-3. Maybe the OG suspension were too expensive for them. Who knows?
Saab 9-7x, have it. bought it used with 100k on it a couple of years ago. most of my problems are due to rust. it's a rebadged trailblazer, apart from some interior and exterior differences. if you manage to find one that is rust free and low mileage, then go for it. a couple of things to watch out for: air suspension system will fail, cheap solution is to replace it with springs. 4.2L engine burns a bit of oil. front differential is weak (change the diff fluids regularly). performance wise, it's SLOW like a turtle. transmission is a bit on the weak side. my clutch pack burned out because the rusted cooler lines leaked out all the fluid. if you find one that is RUST FREE and low mileage, then go for it. but that goes for any vehicle. personally I think GM should be sued for calling it a Saab.
Beg to differ on the "turtle 🐢" comment. I've owned this vehicle for 21/2 yrs. It is not slow. Of course I am current with regular maintenance and any necessary repairs. It's exceptionally quick from start to 60 mph and seems to have quite a bit of power on demand.
Liked the acceleration of the 5.3, but hated handling and the steering performance. The steering column would always crack and make a clicking sound, Saab dealership could not fix this, and after asking other owners, they all were telling me the same
I don't like the 9-7 because it's everything saab didn't really stand for. Here in Europe it's kinda useless, in the US i can see it might work or something.... In the end i did really enjoy this video especially when you floored it. 😉😂 And some proper advice on these vehicles. 👍
Haha! I say it like that because that's the only way I ever heard it from few others. No one ever corrected them or myself. It took till this damn video #fail lol.
Differences with this Saab platform: Built in Ohio, not Sweden. More parts than ever from GM as based on the GMT360 platform from GM, which is the Trailblazer. Also designed by GM Powertrain. Saab 9-3 is built on the Epsilon platform by Saab engineering (it still existed then). Turbocharging by Saab engineering using parts from outside of GM on the base 2.0 Ectoec engine from GM. Transmission from Toyota (Aisen). So engineering of the Saab 9-3 was all Swedish. All engineering on this car came from GM Powertrain Detroit, and built in Ohio.
Correct, only 21. Confirm it's an Aero. I was looking at one out there as well but turns out it had a rebuilt title and was not worth it at that point.
Sir I really have to say it would NOT be anywhere near close on any kind of race between the two. That's like saying a ranger with the 2.3 versing a ranger with the 4.0 would be a close match...Also for your comments on the performance side of things, you can do anything you want. Anything that can be done to the trailblazer can be done to the bravada and anything the bravada can do the 9-7 can do.
good review but one big problem.4.2 is not close with 5,3 on performance.V8 is 7,3 s to 60 and 4,2 is 8,4s.Speed is no issue since all 9-7x are limited to same speed from factory to 190 kilometers(118 miles)
That's not because of horsepower though, that's because of torque. The horsepower difference is only 10. This is why I said if both vehicles were to race on the highway it would be a close race. But from a stop (such as you are referring to) the V8s torque will get the vehicle out of the hole quicker than the inline 6.
@@saabsofamerica5328 well as i said all 3 are limited to same speed so aero race on freeway should be close too.not trying to be and prick but those 3 are separated by haw fas they get to that 118 miles.like yous said put 20 inch rims on 4.2 and looks like aero
@@gregtomaszewski563 Aero race on freeway would not be close at all lol. It has nearly 100hp more than the Linear and Arc. It would smoke them. Speed limiter has nothing to do with it. I know you are not trying to be a prick no worries. 👍👍
@@saabsofamerica5328 my point is they all max out at 118 so one is not faster than other but quicknes is a whole different story and if we just forget about towing that is only big diference.and i had 4.2l and i liked it.very reliable motor.and now i have 5.3 but whats makes it so rare is 2009 and apparently they only made 1200 of them that year.I was interested i aero but took couple for test drive and like you said it is a toy .gas milage is 12 city if you 80 years old.drove for about 30 miles and got 10.And that active fuel managent can be disable .I left mine on and so far so good.fuel m9lage is same as 4.2 so im one happy Saab owner
Never liked the idea of the 9-7X. Some would say it's just an ungainly Trailblazer emblazoned with wood trim and more tasteful styling. However, compared to its mainstream counterparts (Trailblazer, Envoy, Rainier, Bravada, Ascender), I think the 9-7X is so much more desirable. Still, I get the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that it's not a true Saab, and that it's a perfect metaphor for the neglect that the once-great Saab suffered at the hands of GM, especially in its later years.
Very interesting point. I never thought of it that way. It's a shame that the Subaru-based 9-6X never made it to the market. I think it would have helped Saab's case greatly on the SUV front, and, as a result, as a whole. However, that still brings me back to the 'true Saab' argument. Sad how history works sometimes.
390hp... pretty fast. I'll need to post some vids of mine. I think it'll be the fastest in the world. Supercharged & upped to 13psi, meth injection, cam, muffler, every part in the motor & tranny as good as I could get.
arent all the 9-7's AWD ? like the buick version , where the envoy and trailblazers are 2 wheel drive , with 4wheel drive being option , and the TBSS being 2wd or AWD
Also, the big area why I felt that was let down by this car was the lack of commitment to safety. The crash test ratings on this car do not match the company’s ethos and ratings on the real Saabs .
@@camanderson9954 Mixed bag. The Saab had a better interior. And it looked better. I liked the four-wheel-drive system on the trailblazer better. The trailblazers selectable and the Saab is not. I probably would go for a top end trailblazer with low miles compared to speaking. The V8 is a little bit better than the 6.
To most European friends of the SAAB brand, the 9-7 was one of the last nails in the coffin. Saab had preached the virtues of light weight, front wheel drive and well designed four-cylinder engines for a long time - and delivered those. Six-cylinder engines and AWD in saloons were mildly frowned upon but forgiven as a tribute to the American mother corporation. Then came this rebadged GM barge that totally broke with all those values. No SAAB fan would buy that - and a typical SUV fan wouldn't consider a SAAB - it was almost mutually exclusive, especially as the 9-5 estate was a very roomy car by European standards. I saw one or two very early ones in my Berlin neighbourhood - looked if they were testing reactions of their target audiences. Didn't seem to go well - they never went beyond a marginal existence in Germany and were considered an admission of weakness of the brand.
I would just like to say to some of the idiots out there that the 9-7x it’s not a trailblazer, the trailblazer is not a trailblazer, the envoy is not a envoy they’re all based on GM SUV unit then each of the sub brands got to do their own version, matter of fact Pontiac was offered to do one performance version but then that went to SAAB instead to do a luxury/performance version,,not to mention the SAAB version has actual SAAB suspension system, Making it totally different than any of the other ones, All have GM running gear but they’re all different brands, which is the same back in the 60, 70s and 80s with athe cougar and the mustang, the Camaro and the Firebird, all of the GM trucks, GMC, Chevrolet they’re the same basic vehicles with their own company spins put on them, Some reason everybody has to be more mean when it comes to the 9-7X, currently trying to get one myself❤️😃😃 oh and I forgot all about the Cadillac Escalade, the suburban the Tahoe, the blazer, the Denali, all the same if you want to think that way about the Saab 9-7x!!!!
I have the arc 5.3i and i was very surprised you thought it was barely faster than the 4.2 ive test driven the 4.2 and the 5.3 leaves that thing in the dust, almost 2 seconds quicker on 0-60 and i believe its 4 seconds faster on the 1/4 not to mention you can intall a turbo kit or s/c and make north of 700whp on stock motor
Then the NG9-5, and NG9-3 aren't Saab's either, nor is the beloved 9000. For better or for worse, the 9-7X is still a saab, even if it is built on a GM platform.
@@saabsofamerica5328 The H series motor is based off of a Triumph design with Saab collaboration. It isn't a Triumph engine in that sense, but the point remains.
Lucky you! In the states the highest we have that's available everywhere is 91. VERY few places provide 93. Next step up from that is usually race gas that's over 100 octane or we throw octane booster in the tank lol.
This is thw worse SAAB EVER... ALL GM Rebadged!!!. Saab built its cars with being unique ... The 9 7 is the EXACT opposite... Good video...horrible car
I used to have a 2004 Bravada and after it got flooded i missed itnso much that i actually bought a 2009 SAAB 9-7x and huge difference between both. Remember that at that time Bravada was top of the line of that platform and a Luxury Suv that was over 40k. Saab interior was made with much better quality materials and didnt sream cheap plastic from just lookin at it. Handles much better, Bravada was more like riding a waves which was soft and actually too soft while in Saab its lower and makes driving more stable , sporty and fun to drive.
Care to race my 9-7X Aero? Why is the fastest Saab ever the worst? Stock mine would stomp any other stock Saab (0-60 in 5.5)... I've gone a little overboard with modifications since Corvettes, Camaros, Impalas. and the Trailblazer SS share all the same parts where it counts.
