Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

[sturdavj]

I am considering the purchase of a DT50EL, year 1983. (Of course in great shape?) In researching the forum the best I can find out is that this model was produced from 1977 through 1984, correct ?. And it was designed to run in salt water, I guess that means they used stainless steel fasteners? Anybody have that answer for this one?

In the past I have owned Mariner, Johnson & Evinrude motors. There is plenty of information and a strong parts supply on the I-Boat forum for these motors. I am not finding that to be the case for the Suzuki, yes there are some links posted and I have already added them to my favorites list.

Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors? (1) Are they a good outboard motor that has never really caught on and consequently the numbers that were sold is low and the parts availability has somewhat dried up? Or (2) they proved to be problematic and the word got out and not many outboards were sold, and because they were troublesome the earlier buyers consumed the majority of new/used repair parts?

Understanding that the condition of the individual motor warrants its reliability, I ask the question to you as experienced Suzuki advocates is this model & year of Suzuki a reliable outboard or are their skeletons hiding in its closet?

Thanks for your time and input.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

I have never owned a Suzuki but know that they build generally good products. I have also talked to plenty of people who own them and speak very highly of the brand. As for numbers of them around, I think that depends a great deal on the year of the motor. I didn't see many years ago but they have become very popular in my area in the last 6 - 8 years.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Thanks I am starting to feel better about my purcahse. I have heard many of the same comments.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Thanks I am starting to feel better about my purcahse. I have heard many of the same comments.

 

[JB]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Suzis are good engines. The fact that a 25 year old engine is in good shape is testament to its reliability.

Remember that on here you only hear about problems. Parts are available.

Many Suzi owners would say that they are the Subarus of the outboard world. . .just go and go and go and very rarely break.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Thanks for the reply JB, your information was reassuring.

I thought that might be the case with the forum, I guess I wanted to know I could keep coming here if I needed help with my Suzuki.

I should have known better, I have always found great help with my Johnson and Mariner motors.

 

[DsevenEm2]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Im currently attending a tech school and in our recent advanced diagnostics course, the majority of our motors are DT150-200 outboards. And for what they go through every 3 weeks with all the students bugging them and tearing them apart and running them so hard.. they really do stand up to the challenge. They seem to be reliable as long as maintenance isnt neglected, as with any outboard. I like them.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Cool, Sounds like your training for a dream job.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

Edsel was around for a year, Suzuki OBs have been around for a 3 or 4 decades. The questions you pose are kinda like "Do you beat your wife with the left hand or right hand". There aren't many parts available maybe because the motor in question is 25 years old ...

 

[BruceAML]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

I will have to disagree completely about the parts availability. The first year of sale for Yamaha made and Yamaha branded motors in the US was 1984. Virtually every part is still available for these older Yamaha motors. That is definitely not true for the Suzuki motors. That has to do with the different corporate philosophies of the two manufacturers. If you do not believe me, go to a web site and look up the parts catalog for your model and you will see how many parts are discontinued. If you search this forum you will see that there have been postings of people with newer Suzuki motors who have had problems obtaining parts.

 

[sandiegosteve]

Re: Is the Suzuki the Edsel of the outboards motors

When I bought myt Suzuki (DF40, 2008), some good advice I got was to see if there are any local mechanics. The only downside tothem that I've found is that there aren't as many as the other brands, so there aren't as many mechanics or parts around.

I love my motor, they are getting popular in Southern California and are getting good reviews.

I've found browns point marine on the internet to be a good source for parts, but mine is a new model.