[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by idlewild

We just went through this process and I would advise you to NOT consider suppliers first, but rather the golf cart make and model you want - then find the best supplier. For us the process was:
1a. Gas vs. EV
1b. Manufacturer / Make

2. Model - 4 fwd? 2+2?

3. Supplier / Dealer

For 1a and 1b: If gas, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better manufacturer than Yamaha, maybe EZ-Go. Along with Club Car - not very present here in TV - these three brands have dominated the golf course market in the US and have established presence, service, and part.

Two concerns for us with most of these carts (Yamaha sources from Japan) being either completely fabricated and assembled in China - and something you should at least be aware of


4 Forward model we were considering; we literally would have had to turn off the car and walk it in to make it fit before closing the door as there was less than an inch clearance).

One other point: NONE of the warranties are transferable. If you're considering buying a used cart, you can totally disregard the "6 years left on the battery warranty" and the manufacturers - both gas and electric - only warranty to the original buyer and, to my knowledge, NONE of them are transferable on resale.

Once you know that, it's pretty simple to narrow down the model (i.e. 2+2, 4 Forward, etc.)

Let's start with Warrantees ... both Club Car & Yamaha warranties are transferable in the 1st three years.

Let's go to where they're made. Yamaha is almost exclusively made in the USA, as is ClubCar.

ClubCar is the Cadillac of Golf Carts. EZGo is the Kia. Yamaha falls in the middle.

I've yet to meet the first person in TV, who's happy they bought a 4 seat golf cart. I'm sure there's someone, but I haven't met them yet.

As for both seats facing forward? I wouldn't be surprised if they get banned from the MMP's or at least banned from parking perpendicular in the Squares. They're an abomination ... they are not a "golf cart".

The choice between electric & gas is easy. Buy 1970's technology or buy 21st Century technology.

[Gary Moscowitz]

Originally Posted by jamroz

Hi there,

I am not yet a Villager but we will be making our lifestyle visit next month and I believe in planning planning and more planning.

So I have some questions about Golf Cars. First I am aware of the local concern that has several dealerships around The Villages but I know that there must be alternatives. I have also heard that they do not perform service on cars that they don't sell.

Has anyone used The Villages Discount Golf Cars? What are your experiences?

I saw a video that mentioned a villager that performed mobile service? Is that still a thing? I would hate to buy offsite and then have issues getting the car serviced.

Any advice anyone can offer would be helpful. Still not sure about Gas or Electric. Having to buy a golf car that cost more than many of the cars I have bought in my life is a bit much to handle.

thanks,

--John

There are many golf cart service shops that will welcome your business. There are also many cart service vans that will come to your home & perform routine service on pretty much any brand of golf cart. A typical full service runs around $120.

You will not have any problems getting your cart serviced.

And yes, golf carts these days are not cheap! A well equipped New Yamaha, prob the most numerous brand here in TV can cost $24k. I am selling my ‘22 StretRod cart. StreetRods are custom carts designed to mimic cars of the 30’s & 40’s. New they cost upwards of 26-28K . I’m selling my very low hours ‘22 StreetRod coupe ( 2 seater) & asking $19,500 (OBO) . Email me if interested @ gmoscowitz95@gmail.com

[dtennent]

Given that you are a planner, try renting a golf cart for the first month that you are here. While the cart will be basic, it will give you time to understand how you are likely to use the cart going forward. You will also see the variety of options that are available - and there are many options! Besides the usual gas vs. electric war of words, most of what will drive your decisions will be your location and how much time you will spend in the golf cart.

BTW, we went from a couple with two cars to a one car and two golf carts. We bought both new with oldest being 12 years old and still going strong. Good luck on your decision- both where you will retire and the golf cart!

[Ruckvilla]

Originally Posted by Babbs1957

Funny you say that. We just went to Discount Carts today Village Carts last week and Cart Max yesterday. I will send you a PM with what we found. Also numerous pics we took of carts and pricing I can send you if you want. We are going this Thursday to make a purchase. I think I'm having last minute second-thoughts on which one

Would you mind sending me the info also. Been here awhile and been researching... But, recent info is always helpful.

[bark4me]

Originally Posted by jamroz

Hi there,

I am not yet a Villager but we will be making our lifestyle visit next month and I believe in planning planning and more planning.

So I have some questions about Golf Cars. First I am aware of the local concern that has several dealerships around The Villages but I know that there must be alternatives. I have also heard that they do not perform service on cars that they don't sell.

Has anyone used The Villages Discount Golf Cars? What are your experiences?

I saw a video that mentioned a villager that performed mobile service? Is that still a thing? I would hate to buy offsite and then have issues getting the car serviced.

Any advice anyone can offer would be helpful. Still not sure about Gas or Electric. Having to buy a golf car that cost more than many of the cars I have bought in my life is a bit much to handle.

thanks,

--John

I have a gas cart and considered swapping it for an electric one. My concern is the heat here inside and outside the garage. Heat affects lithium batteries and can cause them to not only fail but a fire hazard. So I changed my mind and will stick with my gas cart

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Plan for an ELECTRIC golf cart because the internal combustion engine is the reason for all the HEAT in the US and worldwide. Heat makes the hurricanes stronger.

Plan for a GAS golf cart because the electricity production and transmission is inherently filthy to the environment and wasteful. This energy production is the reason for all the HEAT in the US and worldwide. Heat makes the desert hot and boils your hot dog water.

Whatever else you do, make sure you ask for golf car advice from the guy who has admitted never owning one and only once a few years ago rode on a friend's cart. That's valuable advice, for certain! Almost as good as his book, "Do it yourself open heart surgery."

[lawgolfer]

Originally Posted by jamroz

Hi there,

I am not yet a Villager but we will be making our lifestyle visit next month and I believe in planning planning and more planning.

So I have some questions about Golf Cars. First I am aware of the local concern that has several dealerships around The Villages but I know that there must be alternatives. I have also heard that they do not perform service on cars that they don't sell.

Has anyone used The Villages Discount Golf Cars? What are your experiences?

I saw a video that mentioned a villager that performed mobile service? Is that still a thing? I would hate to buy offsite and then have issues getting the car serviced.

Any advice anyone can offer would be helpful. Still not sure about Gas or Electric. Having to buy a golf car that cost more than many of the cars I have bought in my life is a bit much to handle.

thanks,

--John

Very simple. Drive to Webster and see some of old central Florida on the way. When there, go to Country Power, a Yamaha dealer, and buy a cart. You'll get a brand new cart for the price of a "rebuilt" one from Discount Golf Carts, and, probably, $3K less than The Villages. Country Power will come to your house for the regular services. It has a service truck in The Villages several days each week. There are lots of brands and types to chose from; however, there is a reason why three or more of every four carts you see in The Villages are Yamaha gas.

If you want to save a few dollars, check out the classified ads on this site. There are always low milage/low hour carts for sale. Buying a used Yamaha gas cart is not rocket science. Looking the cart over to see if it has been abused and driving it around the block is usually enough. Check out the condition of the seats, the plastic side curtains, and all the zippers. If you feel you need help, hire Todd Casey or one of the other persons who service carts to check it out for you. I would want to see the paperwork for the original purchase to verify it was a new and not rebuilt when purchased and that the miles/hours on the odometer or the gauge are consistent with the time since it was purchased. I doubt that even 10% of the carts in The Villages are driven more than 100 hours/yr

[mgman]

I did a lot of legwork and decided that CART MAX was the best bang for the buck. You pick you colors of paint, enclosure, and seats from 100's of colors and it is ready in about a week. I bought two 2014(one year old) for $12500 each. That's about half of what The Villages Golf Carts wanted for a new one. Warranties are overrated. These Yamaha carts are almost bulletproof. I had my last one 14 years and had only one small repair. Change the oil twice a year and they last forever.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by jamroz

Hi there,

I am not yet a Villager but we will be making our lifestyle visit next month and I believe in planning planning and more planning.

So I have some questions about Golf Cars. First I am aware of the local concern that has several dealerships around The Villages but I know that there must be alternatives. I have also heard that they do not perform service on cars that they don't sell.

Has anyone used The Villages Discount Golf Cars? What are your experiences?

I saw a video that mentioned a villager that performed mobile service? Is that still a thing? I would hate to buy offsite and then have issues getting the car serviced.

Any advice anyone can offer would be helpful. Still not sure about Gas or Electric. Having to buy a golf car that cost more than many of the cars I have bought in my life is a bit much to handle.

thanks,

--John

If you have general knowledge and skills, just buy used on for about 1/2 price or more for new ones.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by mjfmicheal

I have never owned a golf cart but my mom & brother have. I highly recommend an electric (not for any political reason) but because gas carts SMELL!! When moving slowly the exhaust smell is atrocious. Even when going full speed you can still smell it, I wouldn't get a gas one. If you park it in a golf cart garage you'll have that smell in there too.

Also, they are mechanically more complex and I am told they break down more often. In addition, since you are moving here, I have a property for sale in OBG. If interested, let me know. Good luck with the cart!

Maybe your mom’s and brother golf cart needed carburetor work? EFI engines much more efficient. I’ve been told electric cart batteries are made using child slave labor? I also had older Electric cart, the smell when charging in garage was atrocious.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Plan for an ELECTRIC golf cart because the internal combustion engine is the reason for all the HEAT in the US and worldwide. Heat makes the hurricanes stronger.

Ok, what brand EV vehicles do you drive?

[HappyTraveler]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Worry about the house first. Everyone seems to think that they have to have a golf cart the minute get here. You don't. You'll have plenty of time to know what your needs are after knowing exactly where you are going to live.

Can't emphasize this enough. ^^^^

It's not just the house - there is so much to getting settled in a new location, esp. a new state. Some of what will be on your immediate list.
-- Getting your house and property situated does take time. (Make sure to source multiple contractors for any jobs involving thousands - you'll be stunned at the quote differences.)
-- Finding primary Doc, dentist, any specialists, eye Doc, etc. That's going to take time too. More than you think unless you aren't choosy.
-- Learning the TV particulars, local geography, roadways, retail and vendors.

Soon after all that, you'll need to redo all of your legal paperwork -- will or trust, healthcare and legal POAs, living will, etc. etc.

Just advising that all of that matters more. The golf cart will fit in when you feel settled with the front burner stuff. I've lived in TV a few weeks shy of one year and I still don't own a golf cart. Am in no rush -- still working thru all of that. ^^^

P.S. Have seen, heard and read of many people spending lots of money very quickly upon arriving. The initial excitement gets them but, some later wish they had slowed down b/c initial decisions were too hasty and didn't pan out.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I been living in Florida going on 10 years and never had any interest in buying or owning
a golf cart.
I hated traveling in those dingy buggy's traveling 5-6 feet from traffic going 40-50mph.
Just something else to maintain, store, and insure.

I also got my 2015 SUV sitting in my garage and paid for, why would I need a golf cart??
I can go anywhere in air conditioning, complete silence, bring home more grocery items, all taking along 6 more people.

Your Welcome!

I agree. Except for the fact that SOME people as they age who know that their driving a car is dangerous to other cars and pedestrians - SHOULD drive a golf cart as a consideration to other people. Here in the Village there are a lot of people driving cars who do NOT have the eyesight or reflexes to SAFELY drive cars or trucks.