Elle,
Besides Ed and Bill, Bob Keller and myself all have 8hp Tohatsu's and none  
of us have ever had a problem. CDI (Electronic) ignition is the key. The two  
strokes will eventually be fazed out everywhere, but for now you can't beat  
their reliability. Change the foot oil once a year and change the plugs and your 
 good to go. The 8hp weighs a whopping 52 pounds without the electric start. 
With  the electric start it comes in at 60 pounds I don't have the electric 
start and  my wife can easily start the motor when I've had to much to drink. 
 
Rummy