is engine dependable

It realy depends on the service history. only buy with full history. If you have 100k car change the timing chain and wach for blue smoke when hot and on the over run for a shot turbo. Whith good service history they can go on for 200k whithout too much hasel

It will greatly depend on how it is has been maintained... I had a non turbo 8 valve with over 300k. Typically non turbos have a longer live. I have found a lot of them have other issues before the engine... Transmission and steering and brake issues

engine isnt too bad like the other replies said timing chain and tras are the big issuse here as well as the turbo pull the air intake hose off at the plenum and look for excessive oil inside the pipe sign that the bearings in the turbo are shot common problem on saabs