I hear the newer 4 strokes last longer because of better lubricatian and cooling. What is acceptable hours or low hours for a used 2 stroke? What year and make do you guys prefer?

The only 4 stroke worth buying is a Honda. Everyone says they don't have enough service centers and dealers but they don't break. The coast guard uses Honda 4 strokes and has over 6500 hrs on them with regular maint. For the record I'm a 2 stroke man but if I was to buy a diesel(Kenny Roberts nick name for 4 strokes) it would be a Honda as they only build 4 strokes.

I think there is a BIG misconception about the hours on an outboard motor. The number of hours is not nearly as important as how the hours were put on it. I owned a 1989 Johnson 120 for 14 years while guiding and averaged 150+ hours a year on it. The only problem ever incured was the VRO pump went out. I sold the rig 6 years ago and as of last summer the motor was still going strong. Try running your truck/car like most guys run their outboards and see how long the motor in it lasts. I have seen outboards with 4000+ hours and still going but they were not run at WOT every minute they were started. Run your outboard at 60-70% of wot and it will last longer than you. As far as 4 strokes, I think the Honda is the best one on the market also. Take a look along the Gulf coast, the coast guard, guides (unless sponsored), and everyday anglers have Hondas on the transom.

BS on the honda remark, they don't last any longer than a yamaha or zuke. And when they do break, parts are expensive and not always easy to get.

Two strokes can and will last a long time, I had a '79 merc 150 I put 5,300 hours on it when I sold it. And I've had a couple that scattered with 300 hours on them. It's really how you break them in seems to make the biggest difference. The one's I broke in hard ran hard, the ones that were babied didn't seem to live as long.

Hondas don't make oil they don't have to be run a certain way. They don't blow head gaskets. They have pioneered 4 stroke outboards long before the rest. Oh yeah Honda uses the same V-6 that is in their cars. What car does Yamaha or zuke make and how many miles can you get out of it oh yeah none. Honda has the most reliable 4 stroke engines made today.

I wish toyota made outboards.

I've got about 2500 hours on one of my motors. Two more with about 1500 and one with about 900. They all run great and there all 4 stroke Yamaha motors. Well the one with 2500 is a Yamaha with a mercury cowling is what I was told. It's a 2005 model. I was told mercury was having Yamaha make the upper end at that time before they started making them in 06. Either way I run Mobil 1 10w-30 in all of them.

My 2005 2 stroke yammy hpdi has about 375-400 hours on it
And besides a few minor things has been flawless

My Nissan/Tohatsu is over 4,000 hours and I can guarantee not a single minute has been "easy"...that motor has sucked more mud than water, and never been in anything but saltwater. Good oil, good fuel and run it like you stole it...

One starter, plugs and impeller every year, and that's been it.

My 1972 Honda 4 stroke doesn't have an hour meter on it...I guess 40 years isn't too bad...