1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main 9000 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: 9000 V6 Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:32:05
In Reply to: 9000 V6, Russell, Thu, 30 Aug 2001 20:58:55 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The V6 engine is a GM product. Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing in itself, but for us folks that have always been used to Saab engines, replacing the heart and soul of a car (engine) with something from the General brings up lots of emotions.
The advantage of the V6 is that it's smoother than a four, and has decent torque characteristics. Frankly, the major reason Saab went to a V6 was marketing. It doesn't produce more horsepower or torque than a turbo engine. But to be a player in the 'near luxury' performance market, it was felt that many folks didn't shop Saab because they only had a four. Some folks want 6 cylinders, and don't really think torque or horsepower.
There are drawbacks to the V6 compared to the various turbo fours. The V6 has a timing belt, that needs replacement on the order of 30K miles. Originally the interval was 60K, but premature breakages forced the reduction to 30K. Saab responded by cover the cost of replacing the belt the first three times (30, 60, 90K). Saab four cylinder engines use a timing chain, which tends to last well over 100K.
The V6 also is harder to work on for certain regular maintenance items. Replacing spark plugs requires removal of some intake plumbing, and I believe that replacing the thermostat requires removal of the intake manifold.
Lastly is longevity. Saab has been building basically the same engine since 1972 with regular technology improvements. It's a known quantity. The turbo four is damn near bulletproof, and will run like a champ with well over 100K on the clock. It's reasonable to assume 200K miles with only minor repairs to the engine, assuming maintenance schedules are kept. The V6 is hurt because it's an unknown. They haven't been in the fleet very long - 6 years or so - barely a blink of an eye. There haven't been enough of them out there long enough to know. The V6 may turn out to be fine. But for those of us used to 10 years being 'just broken in', we're suspicous.
So - the V6 is a decent engine, with decent performance. I prefer a full turbo four. I haven't heard much bad about it other than the rubber band, er timing belt breaking. Yes, that's pretty serious, but you can mitigate that somewhat by changing the belt frequently.
posted by 140.157....
, Fri, 31 Aug 2001 14:32:05 <-- Viewing This Message
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
