Should I Suziki or Not

[SeaDawg]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

J.B., I'm like you. Just about every company is "international" any more, meaning you really don't know who owns who.<br /><br />When my rich uncle dies and I get my next new boat/motor, you can bet I will get some committments in writing, that will stand up in court. And I won't necessarily rule out Suzuki and others, as long as I feel I have my needs covered by a proper contract.<br /><br />I wrote a 32 page contract when I had my house built (right down to the brand of recepticles I wanted), and when the house was finished, the builder and I could still shake hands and be friends. But it takes work anymore to get what you want. Too much sometimes, it seems....<br /><br />Bottom line, I feel that if the dealer knows that all you care about is a fair shake if things go bad, they will work up a contract with you.<br /><br />And, they won't be surprised when you call the cards in if something happens later.

 

[fatboy]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

I own twin 225's and would not say that I am at all happy with them. These motors are only 1.5 years old and the paint is coming off of the lower units. I have had the counter rotating lower unit rebuilt because the gears would grind. It still stays in reverse after shifting to neutral. The warranty does not cover crap. Suzuki (corporate) will not stand behind their waranty. Additionally, the engines both vibrate like hell at 1200-1500 rpms. After that they do run very well though. BOTTOM LINE - Suzuki's are much less expensive than the competition but you get what you pay for.

 

[sandman]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Paul,<br />You mentioned an internet site for the purchase of Honda's 4 stroke's. Would you share with us the internet site? Like J.B., I am about to purchase a 4-stroke and have decided against Suzuki, many negative comments about Honda 4-strokes (about parts availability and refusing to idle for long lengths of travel-see epinions.com). I am considering all except suzuki but am leaning toward Yamaha and Mercury.<br />Thanks.

 

[fatboy]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

For pricing check out: http://www.nadaguides.com

 

[PaulP]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Sandman Hi, The site I found is Leisurebytel.com they have new and used outboards Honda and yamaha. The comp.is out of Canada so we get the exchange rate and no sales tax, in Mass. that is 5.9% I priced both 2 and 4 stroke engines and the 4 strokes were less money than the 2 which I thought was odd. I also worry about finding service for a motor bought online I heard dealers hate that and tell you to go screwdriver. I found a mobile marine repair outfit that is a Mercury authorized service and he told me he don't care where I buy one.<br />Like I said earlier there is every kind of engine dealer within a few miles so I am going to see a all of them.If I find any more online sites i will keep everybody posted. Paul

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

A Bombardier rep told me that if you lived in the U.S. and bought from a dealer in Canada you would NOT get a warranty.<br />Don't know if it's true or not.

 

[Steelie]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

JBCornwell, It would be interesting to see if you could actually get a dealer to commit in writing, a repair or replace deadline contract. If you try it and succeed please let us know. Maybe it is something that could catch on! I have been told that dealers will not let anything out of the store unless it is paid for. These dealers that are telling these guys that they will cannablilize new motors to get their customers back in the water are not in my opinion being truthful. Dealers do not let parts go, especially parts as expensive as powerheads and then try to hash it out with the factory later. That simply is not done.

 

[Hawkeye1]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Fatboy, I have a 2000 225 Suzuki. It had that vibration at 12 to 1500 also. What was most of the cause is the tight spec on the idle voltage on the TPS. The spec on mine is 5.18 volts +0.0/ - .01. That is a very tight spec and is a known headach for suzuki. Mine was found to be 5.9 volts. After they set it back to 5.18 most of the vibration has gone. Another thing they found was one of the 2 bolts holding one of the fuel pumps on the block had vibrated loose and was gone. Fixing that helped also. Here is the kicker, the 2nd day I had my engine it blew a piston at 7.5 hrs. I was still on 2x oil even thou the manual only calls for 5 hr breaking with 2x oil. The suzuki tech pulled the head off and it looked like the whole top of the piston had delaminated. The tech said that piston failure was very rare and must of been a defective piston. All the other pistons/walls looked new. These are bimetal pistons with the top being a ceramic fiber material. My bet is the piston had a oxidized or contaminated surface prior the the ceramic coating being put on or it missed the preclean etch step prior to the ceramic being fused to the piston top. I work in a industry were we are depositing deferent metals on one another and know what can happen if something goes wrong or gets contaminated. He got me a new powerhead and I was back up in 10 days. Now for the shocker. The defective piston/powerhead was sent back to Suzuki and they said the failire was a quote "Cold Seizure". That insenuated I ran it hard without warming it up. I told them in the begining severial times it screwed up about 1 hr into a run and had to be totaly warmed up and I always warmed it up 10 minutes anyway. The harbor has a pretty long no wake zone to boot. My dealer stood behind me about 95% and the only reason I say not 100% cause he should of fought that classifacation of the Cold Seizure fail. He knew it was not cold but he didn't want to make waves with Suzuki over it, I belive. I also ask him for the area rep to call me to discuss this and the rep never did. My dealer said, I cost him the Golden service award last year. He had won it the year b4. I think he sells over 200 engines a year also. On the 2nd powerhead I made him break it in. He ran it for 17 hrs. I still took it pretty easy on it for the 1st 100 and now she does pretty good. Pretty good on gas also. I am getting about 2.7 mpg at 4400 rpms on a 4500 lb 23' deepV. I think the Suzuki dealer can be good people but the the Suzuki corp. has a ways to go in my books.

 

[manitoba1]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

I have the 2000 DF70 so far with 100hrs and have been very pleased. I previously owned a Dt55 and it was a good motor with only minor problems. The new 4stroke starts with the turn of the key, is extreemly quite and gets better fuel economy than my DT55 which was not bad on fuel for a 2 stroke. The new DF70 though considerably heavier also performs better as well.<br />I've heard piles of horror stories from new Optimax and Ficht motor owners. Just read of a mounting posible class action suit on rec.boats from extreemly pissed Optimax owners. Reading these boating news groups I can see troubled motor owners from all brands of outboard. Sometimes it's just bad luck to end up with headaches from a defective product. I had a friend who missed a good chunk of the summer trying to get a coil for his Johnson.<br />I've never had problems waiting to get parts for my old DT55 although it was only small stuff and not major engine components. Buying a north american build product doesn't guarantee satifaction by the boater. I did lots of research before buying my 4 stroke. The Suzuki was the only fuel injected midsize 4 stroke on the market. These engines have been powering suzuki cars for years, except the marine engine are build with some more durable and corrosion resistant parts. They have also won many awards for design and innovation. Don't discount these engine just because 2 or half dozen people had some bad experience. For each of these there are hundreds of satified owners as well as disatisfied merc or evirude owners. Well that's my 2cents worth.

 

[rap]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

In 1995 I bought 2- 140 HP Suzuki engines and mounted on a 25' Seacat. I was a little nervous about the purchase. However they were the best buy at the time by several thousand, not to mention the 6 yr. warantee for free, an additional $2500 saving. They have performed flawlessly for 6 years, 600 hours. I plan to replace with 2 140 HP suzuki 4 strokes. I have several freinds who own various suzuki 4 stroke products and have similar experiences as I. Suzuki is currently at the top of the 4 stroke technology awards list. Since 1995 I have purchased 2 additional Suzukis and have had no problems at all. "Knock on wood", so far my suzuki experience has been better than any other.

 

[DJ]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Had a 1995 DT-140 (carb'ed). Best described as : tough, overbuilt, thirsty, easy to maintain.<br />Ditto, the thoughts on dealer support. Don't buy them unless you're handy or have a good dealer nearby.

 

[Steelie]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Paul, Everyone that has never had a problem, loves their Suzuki, of course. If you are absoulutely convinced that you will never have a problem with a new Suzuki, then buy one. Otherwise plan on making several boat payments like I did while your boat sits in the shop waiting for parts.

 

[DJ]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

PaulP,<br /><br />Don't buy anything. That way you can't be disappointed.

 

[PaulP]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Hi Guys, I just got my new motor,I went with a Merc 60 EFI 4 stroke. I liked the dealer,he is 5 min from home and they have the 5 year warranty from Merc. Thanks for your input and advice. Paul

 

[BVAIL]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

I'VE BEEN ALL OVER IN THE COUNTRY IN SMALL POWERBOATS WITH EVERY KIND OF OUTBOARD. STAY AWAY FROM SUZUKI. ESTABLISHED DEALERS AND PARTS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN AND IN MANY PARTS OF THE US THEY "USE THEM FOR ANCHORS". I HAD MINE BREAK DOWN IN TENNESSEE AND GOOD LUCK. THE OWNER OF THE MARINA SAIDD "BOY NEXT TIME YOU COME TO THESE HERE PARTS GET YOURSELF A JOHNSON OR AN EVINUDE". I ENDED UP DONATING THE THING TO A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. NOBODY WOULD EVEN LOOK AT IT. BOTTOM LINE IS ANY OUTBOARD WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE APROBLEM,GO YAMAHA. HONDA,JOHNSON....NO SUZUKI.

 

[pimentel15]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

just imagine how many people who have had problems and do not have internet.<br />I personally know a mechanic that use to work<br />for DOS marine in miami {they out know}<br />he told me of all nightmares in dealer and warranty dept would try not to honor unless<br />extreme cases.<br />i have a 225 hp and while it has been good to me run in with a couple of dealers has been nothing short of ,I will never go there <br />again.<br />however there are good suzuki dealers outthere

 

[Sumdumgi]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Never owned a 4 stroke but my 2stroke 100hp was a money pit. Not enough dealers around, so they gig you when you take it in and take forever to fix. At least here in OKC. If you buy a jap motor get a honda, i hear they are great.

 

[mgortel]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

NO...DO NOT BUY SUZUKI.

 

[pimentel15]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

when you go buy a high dollor item such as motor and you look in this forum and you hear<br />all complaints what else is there.<br />when I bought my truck I did alot of seaching<br />asked alot of people i knew what to stay away<br />from,<br />at this point you have forwarned and if you still want to buy suzuki buy it,I like suz<br />I personally think they are the most advanced engines in world,but dealer dont get<br />the support from company and makes them look bad.

 

[pimentel15]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

hey billvail sounds like you have been around,and your right 150%<br />I had a yamaha once on third year last on powerhead I took it to a dealer I didnt even buy the boat there guy found a hairline fracture in power head they fixed with a smile no charge,man thats back up,<br />Imagine it was the third year on the last month wow ''''''' yamaha no brainer