Re: help me decide
You should have compression checks taken on both, and if they are not virtually 'perfect' I wouldn't buy either.<br /><br />The '89 should be a 3-cyl model which would be somewhat more economical than the 4-cyl 80 hp. The 3's have some internal issues so if there's anything that doesn't seem right about the way it runs, I'd stay away from it. But they are a torquey motor, my skiing buddy had a 90 which had no problem pulling a slalom skier, and the 75 has the same displacement, just tuned differently. It should be somewhat quieter than the 80 due to the clamshell design of the engine cover. The 75 should also be oil injected if I'm not mistaken.<br /><br />The 80 is an older design and wouldn't be as fuel efficient, but if it's in very good condition it wouldn't be a bad choice, either. The 75 does have a better-designed lower unit with improved water pump. I replaced and impeller on one that had run 7 years and it was like new.<br /><br />Another thing of note: the 75 has a thermostat and will likely idle better in very cold water; the 80 has none.<br /><br />You might run both of them, and see if you prefer the idling & at-speed characteristics of one over the other; the 3 definitely runs differently from the 4.<br /><br />Anyway, that's just a few random thoughts, maybe some of the other fellers will have more to add.<br /><br />HTH and Good Luck........ed
