[THEFERMANATOR]

What is wrong with your current outboard? What is it's "actual" condition? Buying a newer engine could just end up costing you more as partsfor newer engines tend to cost more. So unless your buying new, be prepared to whatever you have worked on at your expense. And newer engines don't always meen better. If your current engine just needs some basic work, then I would stick with it. Also make sure your having somebody work on it who knows what they are doing. There are ALOT of hacks out there charging a fortune to fix things that don't need to be done simply because they don't know what they're doing. As for what goes into a rebuild, it all boils down to what it needs. If the engine is in good shape, I wouldn't mess with it. Spending money on a good engine is about like burning $20's to light a cigarette. Be realistic as to the engines condition, and be ready to fix any engine if you buy a used one. And many times it is cheaper to spend some money on your current engine than to get that sweetheart of a deal used engine.