[QUOTE=sidelock;241201] . . . Can you please elaborate on what you mean by a few "Hot Spots"[QUOTE]
Before the advent of the G2 E-TEC, the exhaust ports on all V-4 & V-6 2 strokes dumped into the V between cylinder banks, creating what could be considered a "hot spot" that required extra cooling, which I suspect is what Terry was referring to. The inline engines and the G2 E-TEC do not have this problem.
Regarding fuel consumption differences between the 90 hp Zuke and E-TEC, I suspect that the Zuke will be 10-15% better at cruise, and the E-TEC will be 25-30% better at low speed (below ~1800 rpm) when it's in the stratified charge mode, so the overall average mpg will be very similar on both. For example, my 150 E-TEC burns 0.5 gph @ 1000 rpm & 5mph (=10 mpg) and gets ~3.8-4.0 mpg at cruise; my overall average when carrying a heavy cruising load (2 big coolers, groceries and gear, extra H20 and gas) is typically about 4.4 mpg. A few years ago I
circumnavigated S. Florida via the Okeechobee waterway, Florida Bay and the ICW, running almost 700 miles and burning 158.5 gal of fuel and about 1.5 gal of oil for an average of 4.4 mpg. I've also made the 90 mile run up to Sebastian for CSC gatherings 3 times and I typically burn about 20 gallons each way. Another good resource if you have any questions on the E-TEC is the
Owners Forum, which is supported by some very knowledgeable techs.
The other items to consider are maintenance costs and proximity to a good dealer. As Terry says, nobody makes a bad motor these days!