need feedback on 175 merc/mariner

[Hooked]

im looking at 1988 175 merc/mariner thats been rebuilt from top to prop to replace my blown up 115 and would like some feedback good and bad on this big V6s like how dependable how much gas it guzzles.what RPM it runs best at ... THANKS for any Info

[MR.Pike]

Hooked, I owned a 88 150 Mariner Mag for 8 years.Loved it. Very reliable, very strong,always ran great! As far as I know is still running. I think(IMHO) these are some of the best merc/mariner engines ever made.A little off track here but I have been drooling over the 2000 Merc catalog,Anyone here tried the PRO series outboards yet? If looks could kill!! Whoa! Nice lookin stuff. Good luck! <;{{{{<<( Mr.Pike

[MR.Pike]

Hooked, I owned a 88 150 Mariner Mag for 8
years.Loved it. Very reliable, very
strong,always ran great! As far as I know is
still running. I think(IMHO) these are some of
the best merc/mariner engines ever made.A little
off track here but I have been drooling over the
2000 Merc catalog,Anyone here tried the PRO
series outboards yet? If looks could kill!!
Whoa! Nice lookin stuff. Good luck! <;{{{{<<(
Mr.Pike

[MR.Pike]

Hooked, I tried to post and it seemed to have got lost? I'll try again. I owned a 88 Mariner Mag 150. Great motor! I used to run mine at 6000 rpm WOT. Awsome power, great reliability, sounded great too(bonus)! The downside to the 6000rpm is the gas consumption! Really got thirsty on long runs. I take some responsibility for that though! I ran the ##### out of that thing. IMHO one of the best motors merc made. Good luck! <;{{{{{<<( Mr.Pike