[willy]

Well put Tin, I would add that your experiences and those of your bud's are deal makers or breakers more than anything else. For me I've had two Mercs, one 50 and one 150 black max, constant nickle and dime problems that added up quick in the hundreds every year to repair. When they ran they were superb. Some guys like Big Shrimpin wouldn't have any other.
Lot of guys don't like Force but I had an older 50 hp that kicked but for me and started on first crank hundreds of times for me.
Overseas the Nissan/Tohatsu's are on small boat fishermans boats everywhere for a long time, they swear by them.
My experience has been that for overall reliabilty and happiness by their owners Yamaha is definetly #1 followed hot by Honda and Suzuki, but like you said all have had their issues. Yamaha for many years was known around here as the most durable/reliable motors on the planet but they rusted out bad in the salt. They have improved that 200% in the past decade. With Honda quality control is high and you get very few problems, but you have to pay a huge premium in initial cost for it and around here a sketchy dealer network for their marine engines. Overall the past decade Suzuki has come on very strong, always very reliable and for the money probably the best motors out there, especially in the four stroke arena. Big Plus Warranty 6 years
Bombadier has a real winner there in the ETEC and should be kicking butt but production lagged and even right now there are stories circulating that they are having serious financial woes and some dealerships have dropped them and those that have them say that they are having some issues with supply and parts. Plus there also the issues you spoke of so I don't know if it would be my first choice.
For me at this time I think I would go four stroke and I would be torn between Suzuki and Yamaha and would go with the one I got the best deal with, most likely Suzuki.
But the other major decision for me is whether to go American with Mercury and the Verado's. I would probably go with the Verado if price was close because they are sweet, potent and American. Just my 2 cents on the motor scene after reading and observing for many years