Should I Suziki or Not

[PaulP]

I have been following Steelies post on his Suzuki problems very closely, as I am inches away from buying a 50hp DFI 4 stroke.<br />The dealer is only a mile away and has been there for 20yrs. He has not had any problems with parts,so he says.I am frustrated as Suzuki has such good write ups and up until Steelies post I was ready to sign on the dotted line, and now I see J.B. having second thoughts also. I found a Honda 50hp on line for only $4820.00 delivered to my door and thought that was a good price. Any feed back is greatly appreacited. Paul

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Well, i dont own one, but read a lot of e posts here and at other sites. Those aren't the only negative feedbacks i've seen. I've read maybe 10 or so in the last months. Some could be the same guys posting in different places, maybe not. They all talk of parts problems.<br />Now aint this crazy? I just opened this months Boat US magazine, page 21 has a letter from LR Kittery.<br /><br />The lower unit on my 1999 Suzuki DT 2555 siezed, possibly because of a bad seal. My complaint is that my dealer says they cannot get the parts until 4 months from now. The dealer claims th factory is back ordering parts. There must be a flaw in this engine or a defect, otherwise, parts would be available.<br /><br />Boat US writes:<br />We wondered why parts would be backordered that long, so, we called Suzuki directly and talked to thier customer service department. He assured us that the part was available and that he would call your dealer to arrange for its delivery. By the end of the week, the part was delivered, installed and your engine was working again.<br /><br />Belong to Boat US? They litigate, thats part of membership.

 

[its-a-sweater]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

MIKE,<br /><br />I'M NEW WHAT A GREAT FORUM. I HAVEN'T BELONGED TO BOAT US IN YEARS. NOW I KNOW WHY THE LAST TWO DEALERS I BOUGHT BOATS FROM WERE SO NEGATIVE ON BOAT US.<br /><br />I THINK I'LL RE ENLIST. SUZUKI'S REALLY TAKING SOME INCOMING ON THIS FORUM, WHEW!

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

I think HONDA is and will always be the front runner on 4 strokes,They have been around for many years, and the rest are trying to catch up.

 

[JB]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Hi, guys. Not only have I scratched the DF140 from my list for my Outrage, to be replaced (on the list) by a Honda BF130, I am seriously considering selling my DF70 and replacing it with a BF50 or Yammy F60 EFI 4 stroke.<br /><br />I don't really care if it's dealers lying in their teeth or Suzi skating on their warranty. I want confidence in my power plant.<br /><br />If my dealer will show me a parts inventory I will reconsider. I suggest you do the same, Paul.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Steelie]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

JBCornwell, Your right about having confidence in the power plant. My DF70 2000 failed in the Columbia river. The most dangerous bar in the world. I was about 1 mile from the bar, but came within 5' from hitting a LARGE river buoy. I have a 1999 9.9 Honda 4 stroke kicker. Without that we would probably would have lost my boat and everthing. Very strong rip. That same weekend on the river two boats capsized and three people drowned near the bar. The guy that was with me that day is a certified Chev/Chrys tech. He told me two weeks ago that if I didnt end up with a new motor, there was no way he was going out in the Columbia with me again.

 

[DP]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

I have 2 1/2 seasons on my Merc 50 hp 4 stk without a problem and haven't heard of anybody else having problems. Why buy an import when there is a great product made right here in the USA?

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Actually Honda is in Mn. And Ga. Just like their cars 97% made in Oh. USA

 

[PaulP]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Hey Guys, you are right,we all need to have faith in our power plant,I am comming from a Force that gave me a lot of trouble and I dont want to worrying about getting parts, the season is short enough. I am lucky in the fact that there is a dealer for just about every brand of outboard made within 10 miles of home any word, good or bad on say Merc or Yamaha, I was thinking of buying from online but worry about getting service later on. Thanks to everyone and have a safe Newyear Paul.

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Even if you buy a Honda made in the US, ain't the profits going to Japan? Just because it's assembled here dont mean its good for our economy i guess! If i were to buy a new outboard, i'd have to make sure i knew.

 

[JB]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

If you buy a product made in the USA, most of your bux go into the pockets of the people who assembled it, tested it, packed it, shipped it, sold it and serviced it. <br /><br />If it is a better value than another product whose owners and R&D folk also live here, you have stimulated them to make a better product.<br /><br />It's a win-win proposition.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[bundy]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

I have a deposit on a 2002 Suzuki DF70 but after reading all the negatives on Suzuki lately it would be nice if someone from Suzuki would respond on this forum. At this point I'm having second thoughts although my dealer said he would take parts off a new motor to get me back on the water in the event of a shortage or long wait.

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

BW17MT, the Merc guys can tell you for sure, but your powerhead is probably made by Yamaha. I just sold a 1995 Honda 25 Tiller, and did not have a spec of trouble from it.<br /><br />But, I just bought 2 1995 Mariner 4-stokes, mostly because I felt the local Mercury dealer could get parts, and because I had been told that Yamaha made the 1995 powerheads.<br /><br />Due to what I have seen here, I will stay away from Suzuki until some good news comes in for them.

 

[roy w. shakun]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Power boat reportes did a long term test on twin suzuki 70 4 strokes on a Nautico cat 20'. They had a leaky power head on one of the motors...... Consistently, they rate Honda # 1, with Yamaha a close 2nd, as far as 4 strokes. Performance wise, they give the nod to Suzuki. Lots of extra electonics, the yamaha is still a carbed motor, for one reason....reliability. I would like to buy American made motors, but you never know if you are going to get a good one or not. Just like cars. Toyota or Dodge? Any question?

 

[harrison20002]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Hey Guys, There is 5 Suzuki complaints on this page alone. Suzuki? I don't think so. Happy Boating, Hal

 

[its-a-sweater]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

HI ALL,<br /><br />I DON'T THINK THEY RATE HONDA ON PARTS AVAILIBILITY. MAYBE JUST RELIABILITY. I OWNED A COUPLE HONDAS. THEY ARE NO PICNIC TO GET PARTS FOR EITHER.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Just buy American!!<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Hooty- Which American Co. Genmar=Canada, OMC=Canada. I won't go, because the list is too long. The 2 companies mentioned make 21 boats and 2 engines.

 

[Steelie]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Bundy, Believe me I've been there. A dealer will tell you anything to get you to buy. I tried to get my dealer to take parts from one of their new motors. NO WAY. They are not going to have a new outboard in their showroom that they can not sell for 3 or 4 months because it is torn down and they can't get parts.

 

[JB]

Re: Should I Suziki or Not

Hi, Steelie. Do you think that if we got the dealer to commit, IN WRITING to a fix, loan or replace withing a fixed period it would make a difference?<br /><br />I really like my DF70, it's performance has been excellent, and I really like the idea of a 400# DF140 for under $10K.<br /><br />But, like you, I want confidence.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB