It's a shame about the finanacial troubles of OMC.I have now had 3 OMC motors.a 1978 85 hp 4 cyl.A 1979 175hp 6 cyl. and now a 1999 150 hp Johnson.The 1979 175 was on a Glastron Bass boat with a ton of hours on it.I bought it new and sold it to a friend of mine when i bought a new Stratos 283 last year.I did all my own service on the 175 and never had a problem.My friend who bought the boat and motor,still raves about it to this day.Now that said,I think that most motor problems come from poor mechanical service.The 175 evinrude went in to a so called "Professional" shop to have he carbs rebuilt in 1986.Not that they needed it but that I got suckered in to believing that it would give me 7 mph on top end.After 3 months in the shop and finally demanding the boat I paid $350.00 dollars for a motor that was hard to start,would'nt idle and now refused to slow troll.They took all my stainless clamps off and replaced them with plastic ties.Be smart,don't ever let Nixon's marina in Walla Walla work on your boat.I like my Stratos,but the warranty service totally sucks at Northwest Marine in Pasco,Wa.My point here is it's the singer not the song.Merc's Omc,Yamaha.Suzuki,Honda,they are all good motors.Find a good technician and stick with him.Use premium fuel and oils only.Learn how to service your motor and do it religioulsy.Flush it when you pull it out change the lower end fluids,lube the linkages and kepp it clean and polished.Any quality motor will give you years of good service.
Good luck and good fishing