Yeah i agree the VR is the one too have,
I dont mean the 2.9 is anyless reliable, its just the 2.9 as peter russek puts it is at a higher state of tune. I think theres a bit more too it then just a bigger bore, inlet manifold is different, haveing sold one too an american corrado owner as they only have the 2.8 due to emission regs, I dont know lots about engines though and haven never owned a 2.8 can not really comment on it.
The vr6 is a very good engine though, and puts a lot of competitors v6s to shame especially considering its only a 12valve it puts out decent power, they will go on forever, and when coupled with a few mods Scrick, exhaust, remap, are very good fun and lets not forget the best bit, The sound

Like you said in your words at the end of the day it was a hot hatch, a 20k mini supercar and a lot of them will have been driven hard and by a 100k , things will need replaceing like any 10 year old car.