I need to get a kicker motor. Are the Nissan outboards any good?? Looking for a 8 hp.

What i've seen is that they don't do well in the salt.They're a low end (price&quality)motor.Stick with Johnson,Evinrude,or Yamaha

my buddy has one and has had it's share of problems. Nothing major, just always something. The paint doesn't seem to like the salt and the cowel doesn't seal real tight so you can get a little moist in a following swell. I would look at yami or honda.

I have a 5 hrse 4 stroke and have been bery happy with it. as far as it being on the low end of the scale i do not agree with that at all. Mine is tight on the fit and finish, the paint has preformed very well in the salt.I would buy another in a minute.So there you have it first hand and not from some body's brother in laws father in law. Fishy.......

i have had an 8hp nissan outboard that has been used in the salt for the last 10 years. never once had it in the shop with a problem. still starts on the first pull. the paint is chipped on it cause i launch my boat off a rocky beach so 10 years of laying the motor on the rocks takes a toll on the paint. this is the best motor i could have ever hoped for and i would buy another one in a heart beat.

Thanks for the input guys. I saw in cabelas that the nissans have a 3 year warranty. I know Nissan cars are very high quality (my wife has 100,000+++ miles on her 240sx with zero problems) but I didnt know anything about the outboards.

I bought a Nissan 6 horse 4-stroke last spring and like it. I compared all the motors as far as weight, h.p., and price. I bought mine through Cabela's. At first I thought it vibrated a bit much but after comparing it to my friends Yamaha I put that thought to rest. I have other outboards and don't see anything I don't like about the Nissan.

Wntrrun,
Are you using that 6hp as a kicker motor? If so on what size boat?

Duroboat, while Nissan outboards are ok motors they are actually made by Tohatsu so I wouldn't expect Nissan (car) type quality.
I wouldn't compare them to a Yam, Honda or even Merc for that matter but they are ok for what your paying for them.

I use it as a kicker on my 18' Bayliner. It pushes the boat just fine, definitely not underpowered. I compared it to the Yamaha 6 which I was seriously considering but the Nissan weighs about 30 pounds less. The weight was the deciding factor, not the price. Yamaha and Honda have proven that they are the best outboards on the market but for this one application I feel like I can get by with the less expensive motor. It fires up easy and doesn't smoke, that's good enough for me.

Thanks Wntrrun,
Sounds like it would work great on the boat I may be getting (16' Arima)
I dont want to spend a bunch on a kicker after spending the money for the new(used) boat.
Doing a little internet search today I found a 6 hp 4 stroke nissan brand new with shipping for $1210.
I have money holding the boat but I havent had a chance to see it because the seller went on vacation for 10 days.

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.