The general knowledge and opinion about gas engine is that if you treat them right they should outlast the owner. Although that might be a bit exaggerated, the truth is that with a little common sense and a feeling for technology any of the motors mentioned above probably will serve you well for a long time. There are certainly a few bad apples in the growing basket of (Chinese built) gas motors. But those have been identified and warned about to stay away from. Those are distinguished by a suspiciously low price tag. The rest is pretty much in the same price range and certainly well worth the investment. Now if you want to compare a DA to a DL then you face not only one question. First is the price. Say, a DA-50 with muffler runs you about $660 + shipping. A DL-50 will cost you only $390 RTR, shipping included. That is quite a difference, if you ask me. Granted, the DA has a beautiful CNC-machined crank case and red anodized? bolts. Yoop-Dee-Doo . O.K. what else would warrant that big price difference? Service, maybe? I don't know. I heard that Bob at DLUSA is very responsive, when it comes to customer service. So, what else could justify the purchase of a DA. O.K. I know now, it's 100% made in the US. Is it really? On the igniton box it says "Made in Australia" And the spark plug is made in Japan. What else is made elsewhere? Quality? There are numerous problems reported with DA's and very few about DL's. I guess what it boils down to is the question what is it really worth in dollar and sense. Recently I bought a DL, simply becasue I did the math and read enough good, and only good, comments about this motor to justify the purchase. Am I sceptical? Not really, because I know how to tread a motor the right way and by doing so I also know this motor should last me for quite a while. We shall see