[chumbucket]

Well, let's see. Where to begin? It was called Chrysler Outboard back in the day :P Then Force. Very cheap components were used and not very much corrosion resistance. Mercury bought the Force Outboard Motor division back around the very late '80's to early '90's. Cheap components continued to be used to offer a price point outboard to the market. It allowed dealers to offer boat, motor and trailer packages at boat shows for what seemed like an extremely good deal. Many a glassy eyed boat show attendee would unassumingly sign on the dotted line not knowing what they were getting themselves into. With all the problems, repairs and replacements, they could have bought a better package from the start.
In my opinion, (for what that's worth ???)only buy a boat with a Force motor for the right price with the intention that it'll need to be replaced in the very near future. This is in now way meant to badmouth Mercury Marine motors. Only the Force motors. Unless you can buy it right, keep looking.