Nissans are great!! I have a 8hp as a kicker on my 17.5 Searay. It has saved my bacon a couple of times. I think that it is every bit as good as the other motors mentioned. But, like all motors, you have to take care of them, and flush them every once in a while (I try to every time I use it). Tohatsu is made at the same factory as Nissan. I like my Nissan so well that I bought a new 9.9 Tohatsu four stroke for my 14 foot Kalamath. True the price is cheaper, but then again, you have more money for something else, like fishing. Olympic View Marine in Everett sells Tohatsu, they also service them. So, if you buy one they are there to service it and get parts from. Yes, Nissan and Tohatsu have three year warranties. To tell you the truth I got a better deal on my Tohatsu, than Cabelas with the Nissan. Can't go wrong in my way of looking at it. By the way Tohatsu has a new 9.8 hp four stroke that only weighs 65lbs, and thats a long shaft. Hope this helps.