I have had very good service from my 2003 Johnson DF140 (same motor, different paint). I would say that mine has been close to 50/50 salt/fresh water use, I have had no problem with corrosion. But mine rarly stays in the water for more than a few days and I am meticulous about spraying it off and flushing it after salt use.

The motor pushes my boat nicely (40 mph top speed GPS measured), gets close to 5 mpg, starts on the first crank every time (even after sitting for a couple months), and the only things I have ever done to it is oil changes, water pumps, and spark plugs.

Just two weeks ago in the Keys I put the boat on gear to pull away from the gas pump and a guy on the dock looked astonished and said "I didn't even hear that thing running".

Mine new in 2003 was around $7200.

If you get it you will love it.

After reading this thread, I better go inspect mine closer....it may be about to disintegrate right there on the transom.:oh:

HEHEHE yeah I was thinking the same thing:oh:

If you do get around to changing the Head zincs, there are two in the head and two on the Rectifier. two use o-rings and two use gaskets. Boats.net has great exploded view diagrams, easy to get the right parts. Good prices. I also changed the T-stat, it was popped. I did just change the IAC valve today, seems good but need to make a day trip to see if the idle problem shows up again.
It is great that Suzuki has diagnostic codes on the Tach. Yuo need the service manual to know what they mean though. Without it I would have panicked and been at the mercy of dealer service.

I went out and pulled the hood the other day...looks almost brand new under there, no sign of any corrosion on the outside of that plug...may be eat up inside but I cant see it.

I do have a little rust on a few bolts here and there on the top of the motor where it took a splash of salt water at some point years ago...I just spray it down with WD-40 now and then and it hasn't gotten any worse.