I agree with Honda. Buy once, cry once.
I have a late 70's Honda ES3500 that still works great, and a 6500 that's probably from the early 90's (purchased after ice storm '94) that still works great.
I wouldn't buy Generac. They are a big name in generators, but they're no Honda.
Every year when we expect ice or snow all the old people have me come around and get their generators out for them and get them running.
The Hondas always crank right up. The rest don't, even when drained of gas before put into storage. They always need tinkering.
I haven't seen a Yamaha generator, but I wouldn't hesitate to get a Yamaha. They just make good stuff, just like Honda.
The WEN got some good traffic/ reviews on another board I'm on, actually being compared to the Harbor Fright Predator unit, but you say your HF unit just crapped the bed. Was it a small inverter unit or a bigger generator, and what croaked on it?
LOTS of discussion on generators in this 30 page thread. I've had it bookmarked.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/Harbor-Freight-Inverter-Generators-NOW-OFFICIAL-BUDGET-GENERATOR-THREAD/5-2032324/?page=1
While most HF stuff is junk, some of their stuff works. I have a 20 ton press, a floor jack, jack stands, and impact sockets that have been great with lots of use. I put a predator engine on a buddy's tiller (Honda clone) and it's be flawless for about 5 years.