I am in the market for a 9.9 four stroke motor. One came up for sale near me and the seller wants 850 for a 2008 mercury model.

I am a truck driver not a mechanic so I don’t really know how to check the motor for wear. The seller did indicate that he would fire up the motor in a bucket so that I could hear it run.

The seller thinks that the motor is a hard one to test the compression on. Has anyone ever done a check like this on a mercury 9.9?

I’m not in that market, but a quick search shows a Tohatsu 9.9 new goes for about $1,100. Tohatsu makes the lower HP motors for the major manufacturers, and even a new mercury can be had for $1,300 depending on model. To put it another way, would you be willing to buy a new Mercury for $1,300 and loan it out to someone for 13 years if they paid you $250-$450? That’s less than $40/year in depreciation.

It could be worth well over $850 if it's a ProKicker with electric start and tilt/trim.

Also, it sounds like it might have some low compression issues if the seller doesn't want it checked. It's not hard to check.

If you decide to go with a new one if this doesn’t work out I can recommend Onlineoutboards.com. Posters here recommended them when I was looking last spring and they had the best price around plus free shipping. I had my new motor at the house and on the boat in less than a week.

Is the 2008 a 2stroke? If so I like that they’re lighter and more powerful but for me that doesn’t outweigh the benefits of having a 4 stroke.

Here’s my take on the Mercury kickers of the last 15 years.....I currently have a 2005 on my boat. I have hated it from day one. They are rattle traps. The throttle is very hard to get to the sweet spot on my boat. I have a 19 alumaweld super vee that weighs about 2000 pounds with an average amount of gear and fishermen. For Kokanee and chinook I like a speed anywhere from 1.2-3.0 mph. It’s almost impossible to get set there. Not sure if it’s a linkage or carb issue but I know from research it’s a very common issue at least in my area of the world. When I first purchased it I asked the dealer and their response was that’s just the way they are. No fix and no suggestions. I did drill out the brass plug to access the low speed idle jet and that somewhat helped but definitely didn’t fix it. If it for a runabout then I’d say fine because they are good motors as far as reliability but if it’s a kicker application I’d be leary if you like to troll slow. I also tried a different pitch prop so I could be at higher rpm when trolling but it didn’t help. I’m currently repowering with Suzuki’s and am excited to try the EFI they offer in the 9.9. One mans opinion here obviously but I have several friends with them also and it’s the same story from them. The Yamahas get great reviews but right now with outboards hard to get you may have trouble finding one.

I would get a kicker with EFI. Get over which brand but buy the best motor in the size you want lots of reviews. And stay away from Ethanol in an outboard!!!!

Finding any in stock is going to be an issue right now I would look at a Suzuki EFI if I was in the market!

Mercs are good outboards. The smaller are made in Japan by Tohatsu. The latter are a bit cheaper, but dealers are scarce anywhere near me.

I find the same thing to some degree. I have a 5 horse Merc, made in Japan. It does not seem to stay on the same idle for long and notice the RPM's change by itself sometimes. It is a single cylinder , so it shakes the boat, and I have a small aluminum boat that rattles enough. I wish I would have spent the money on the 8 horse for $400 more. At least it should be smoother cause its a 2 cylinder. I dont know if the rest are any better though.

Probably a 4 stroke. Don't think Merc ever made a 9.9 hp 2 stroke.

Outboards, 4 wheelers , all used stuff is hard to find now, and getting top dollar. Good luck finding a new 9.9 for $1100 that ship sailed 10 plus years ago.

Looks like prices have doubled in the past 2 months!

Yep, supply is tight right now. I was looking ended up buying from the online outboard site mentioned earlier. I was thinking a bit larger but got the 8 hp Honda 4-stroke, 20” shaft. Just got it yesterday, FedEx freight. It’s mounted on my 16’ beefed up John boat. I ran it in the yard with my water barrel, ran fine. After I bought this one they now show out of stock.

I just want to motor to my next spot, don’t need to race around the lake.

Yes they did. I have one. It's a decent motor.

Bought a lot of used outboards never tested the compression on any of them, including a 2018 5 Hp 4 stroke bought Sunday. I go by condition how it starts and runs
if looks questionable I walk away. Any good outboard priced right is a buy in this market.
A lot of our waters on the Kenai Penisula here in Alaska have gone to 4 stroke or if 2 stroke direct fuel injection only.

There is some special on Honda kickers at a dealer near me. $2999. I don’t know if they have power tilt/trim.

Yeah what motors you can find are spendy. I got a quote on a new 9.9 Yamaha 2 weeks a go at $3100. Mb