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Re: V6, what to check for? -- LONG 3 Saabers Like This Post!
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Posted by pme [Email] (#1496) [Profile/Gallery] (more from pme) on Tue, 16 Oct 2018 07:47:48 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: V6, what to check for?, steve, Mon, 15 Oct 2018 10:08:29
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See the thread below --

V6 vs I4 is a contentious issue as I am sure you will recall from being on the board for awhile.

The link below has a bunch of the back and forth, and some discussion from some owners of both engines. There are other more contentious threads out there as well.

Going back in time, there are a number of V6 drivers and posters who have posts worth searching for and looking at -- Larry West, KW, fdw201, BMillar, ScottA -- to name a few. Their posts will help you get a good flavor for things to look out for as well as their experiences as owners.

In general, the timing belt every 60K and the oil cooler that can leak are two of the maintenance / failure items folks gripe about -- asking the previous owner for records on these is a good idea. Most other items (starter, mounts, alternator, battery, etc...) seem to fail at no greater a rate than a comparable generation 4 cyl. Because there were fewer V6s made, there are less opportunities for used (V6-specific) parts, although many parts are common between the V6 and 4 - like body parts.

Following is my experience -- take it for what it is worth -- others will have different experiences and opinions.

Unlike 4's of that vintage, V6's were generally not prone to the sludging issues discussed broadly on the board. In addition, I've never felt a need to carry spare DICs (and I am only on my second set, after the ones that were replaced via recall very early in my first year of ownership)

I'm happy with my V6 -- its a 2003 Sedan with 280,000 miles (I bought it new with 59 miles). Engine, transmission, turbo, PS, master cylinder, all major electronics are all original. MPG is low 20s around the city (I live in metro NY), but approached 30 on long highway runs (NYC to Williamsburg VA to visit my son).

Items I've replaced once in that time: DICs, CPS, a/c compressor, radiator, starter, throttle body, oil cooler, heater core (likely due to the oil cooler residue), positive battery cable, lower rear motor mount

Items I've replaced twice: thermostat, alternator, MAF, dog bone and upper motor mounts

More than twice: Heater bypass valve, timing kit (every 60K), water pump (every 120K - easy to do when doing timing), and routine maintenance items (plugs, air, cabin fuel filters, etc) and battery gets sketchy every 3 years like clockwork.

While not as quick, sporty and tunable as a comparable Aero, that's not what was important to me. I found the V6 to be a smooth and powerful cruiser, just great for long runs.

Good luck with your research.

~pme

V6 Thread

->Posting last edited on Tue, 16 Oct 2018 17:17:09.

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