How's the V6 holding up?

[SpecialTool]

My very first SAAB was a 1994 NG900SE 2.5 V6, bought in 1996 (or was it 1997?). Lovely car to drive -- power, comfort, luxury. I can't quite remember why now, but for some reason I convinced myself the V6 was trouble waiting to happen (this was back before I bit the bullet and started seriously down the DIY mechanic path). So I traded it on a new Accord, which we still have and still runs like clockwork.
Soon after, I bought a C900 for a second car, and the love affair began.

But was I too harsh judging that V6? How have they help up, reliability-wise? I sometimes see them for sale with 150,000-250,000 and wonder if they are a good buy compared to the trusty 4cyl.

[jlrSAAB]

I feel good with my V6. the V6 is the engine out of problems. about so many milles as 130,000-250,000 I don´t know, it depends of the driver and user´s maintenance.

By now is my best car and I think to keep for years.

about DIY´S for me is complicated for the lack of space and also for the tools. last week, my Opel Omega (130000kms) got a issue to start.. no way to start the car in cold morning. then I replaced the battery. but not.. no the battery; it was the glow plugs. i went to the dealer for a six new glow plugs (132€) when I laydonw the tools in the gound I found too complicated to me to take the intake manifold out, EGR valve... ,, in resume , too much for me.. A take the reponsabilty for this, to a work mate from garage for another 133€ of duty.

in resume, I spent more money DIY (battery 102€, glow plugs 132, labor 133€), than go first to the dealer.

in an old car there always something to be replaced. the best is to buy a car with a few kms to keep out of worries.

[nordwulf]

José, Andy is referring to the V6 engines in the NG900 models and they are completely different from the one in your 9-3.

[jlrSAAB]

thanks Frank, sorry for my distracted mind

[Brad Lauzze]

As long as people addressed the timing belt/maintenance at regular intervals, they weren't bad cars. We had one for many years that ran great but developed a lot of rust issues and we eventually got rid of it with 150-160,000 miles on it.