Junkyard Find: 2011 Mercury Mariner, Last Gasp of the Mercury Brand Edition

Ever since I found one of the very last Oldsmobiles in a Denver car graveyard, I’ve been keeping my junkyard eye open for other final-year-of-marque Detroit machinery. We’ve got the 1998 Eagle, the 2001 Plymouth, and the 2010 Pontiac, and now it’s time for one of the very last vehicles to wear the Mercury badge: this 2011 Mariner Premier.

Read more
Piston Slap: A Tribute to the Mariner's Idle Escape?

TTAC Commentator sundvl76 writes:

Sajeev,

Your post of 2 Mar 2011 was a great explanation regarding the cause of the “T” joint oil leak I’ve been experiencing. No one on any of the normal Ford sites has been able to pinpoint the problem, so I thank you for the information. (I’d discovered the source, but didn’t know the cause/fix until your post.) TTAC is now on my Favorites list!

Read more
Vellum Venom Vignette: Lincoln Mariner (Hecho En Mexico)

Francisco writes:

Dear Sajeev,

Regular reader here. To the matter at hand:

On a recent visit to Mexico, this Mariner was in front of me begging for a bad cellphone pic. Don’t get me wrong, after-market badge-upgraded cars are pretty common there, but this already badge-engineered Ford Explorer (Mercury Mariner – SM) badge-engineered once more to a “Lincoln Mariner 4wd V6” was too ironic to let go. Please note the extra Lincoln badge thrown in for good measure on the dealer license plate cover. Make no mistake, it is a Lincoln.

I assumed that this would bring a smile and a chuckle to an ardent Ford guy like yourself. Hope you enjoy it and keep up the good work!

Best regards from Sweden,
Francisco

Read more
  • Dale Quelle surprise.
  • 3SpeedAutomatic Nice looking, but IIRC, there was an issue with these engines where a knock would develop. That may account for the very low milage. 🚗🚗🚗
  • Redapple2 Used to watch F 1 a great deal. Now? F1 Random thoughts:1 Silly rules bug me. Must use 2 types of tire. Cant refuel. Drag reduction can only be used in certain areas of the track and only if you are so close to the car in front.2 Passing is rare. Pole sitter wins a high % of the time.3 A new team can only start in F1 if they get the blessing of the overlords. Evil gm Vampire was barred. How about this. Anybody with a car that meets the construction rules can try. If your speed qualifies and you pay the entry fee. You re in. So is anybody else. 4 I tune in for Martin Brundle's grid walk. In my life, it s must see tv. But he is often bumped or cancelled. Grid walk takes place 1 out of 3 or 4 races.5 So, because of this utter bull sheet and other points, I ve migrated to IMSA and MotoGP. I might catch a summary on the youtube.
  • Redapple2 I retract my comments and apologize.
  • Flashindapan I always thought these look nice. I was working at a Land Rover dealership at the time the LR3 came out and we were all impressed how much better it was then the Discovery in just about every measurable way.