[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

A few things keep me from being interested in E-carts:
1. A full 5-gallon tank of gas will last longer than a single full charge on an EV. If you use your cart every day for grocery, socialization, a round of golf every week, going to the squares, your clubs, doctor's office, picking up the mail - how often would you need to charge your batteries vs. how often you'd need to add gas to the tank?

Plug the electric cart in when you park and never have to worry about it. No trips to the gas station to fill the 5 gallon can, no need to remember to put fuel in the cart, no cleaning up the spills, ... Just plug it in and you're good to go.

2. When a gas cart battery needs to be replaced, it's around $100. When an electric cart's batteries need replacing it can set you back a few thousand bucks.

May find out in eight years or so. Or may not if we replace the cart by then.

3. If the power's out, your e-cart will just have to sit there until the power's back on, and then you still have to wait for the charging process to complete. If you have a gas cart, just top it off from the 2-gallon can you keep in the garage for the lawnmower and you're good to go for another few days.

When was the last time the power was out for more than a couple of minutes? (and there was that one time but if I remember correctly the tunnels and paths were flooded so gas carts weren't usable either)

[SHIBUMI]

A general rule of thumb is that if you want gas, get a Yamaha. If you want electric get a Club Car.

Yamaha has the best gas car and it is is about 85% of golf cars in the villages, but, you want a late model so it is quiet. And you won't worry about running out of energy. If you want it duded up buy it at village golf cars. If you don't care how it looks, get it off property. Used ones may not be quiet.

Club Car makes the best electric car. You can go regular batteries or lithium. Both are quiet . After 5 years on regular batteries you just change the batteries. The electric motor will go on forever. After 8 years change the lithium, the electric motor will go on forever, lithium change is cheaper than getting a new golf car.

If you are going with a 4 seater, get the one with the seats facing forward. It is a much better ride as the seats are over the chassis and not over the back wheels.
Less bumpy ride, not a good ride in the ones facing backwards.

There is no shortage of people who will work on your golf car and if you have it serviced once a year you will be fine.

The Yamaha gas will go faster 20-28 miles per hour, the electric will go 20 mph. You don't have to join the Yamaha speeders, but, that too is your call.

Hopefully all of this input helps your decision process.

more only BUT<

Club Car electricIf its a budget decision get used or off campus.

Originally Posted by GoingSouth

Relocating to TV and need a Golf Car/Cart. I went to a dealership in TV and looked at EV and gas. I read the forums and found guidance to include:
1. Buy in GA and have it shipped. (One suggestion, rent a uHaul and bring it)
2. Buy in TV from a dealer.
3. Buy outside TV - "Fast Eddie's" may not be a finalist.
4. Buy used - have on-site repair person or mechanic evaluate.
5. Buy Yamaha Gas - proven reliability
6. Buy EV lithium - Quiet, low maintenance, postpone TV from becoming "ocean front".

The internal battle is between "frugality, not over-spending, being taken advantage of" and "convenience". I can come up with a rationalization for each.

I am leaning towards Used, but need a recommendation on a mechanic or on-site service company to do the evaluation.

Thoughts on thinking or approaches welcome.

[TomSpasm]

When we moved here, we rented a house that came with an electric cart that would go 27mph! I've seen other posters claim electric aren't as fast as gas. Simply untrue. The bad news is I'm also one of the unlucky few who've been caught driving an unregistered electric cart and been forced to make the mandatory court appearance in Bushnell.

[Fastskiguy]

Is it possible to buy a cheap old (well...5 years +/-) lead acid cart and put in lithium? If so....wouldn't that be a pretty cheap option? Or is that just not a thing?

Joe

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by TomSpasm

I've always thought that if any of my friends with a gas cart drove my electric cart for a week, when getting back in there's, they would quickly decide they needed an electric cart.

I paid 4K for a 4 year old Club Car DS in early 2012. Most of my neighbors bought new Yamahas that they have already replaced. Mine runs just the same way it did when I bought it...fantastic.

One caveat I'll grant, my wife and I are small people, if we weighed 375 lbs combined, the electric cart would not drive as nicely and I might prefer gas.

I had CC DS, 2005. I had different view, the front end was cheap hit anything and bend something, bushing worn creating steering wheel wobble. Had corrosion problems, spot on garage floor, battery cables inside corrosion. Smell when charging, Brakes dust problems, had to remove drums clean out grit. Then there was the 4 year old batteries that starting to loose amps. I will admit I had no clue how precious owner took care of it. I guessing he done little and most likely over filled batteries creating the corrosion problems? I had pretty much fixed everything except the weak batteries.

It came with house I brought and was fine for running about neighborhood in my district. But running all day all over the villages was taking chance.

Now the ride, seats was uncomfortable. Suspension was ridged. I didn’t want the expense of batteries and fighting corrosion. So I sold it and brought 13,995 list price Yamaha village read gas cart 2 years old for 7500. With my 2500 sale of the CC got about 5 grand into it. It has 18K miles on it. I have replaced start battery twice, tires, belts twice, spark plug twice, secondary clutch, tie rod ends, and changed oil twice year. It’s 2012 EFI. Still runs and rides like new. But, I was mechanic for 40 plus years and know what to look for.

Bottom line to each his own!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Rich Iwaszko

A general rule of thumb is that if you want gas, get a Yamaha. If you want electric get a Club Car.

Yamaha has the best gas car and it is is about 85% of golf cars in the villages, but, you want a late model so it is quiet. And you won't worry about running out of energy. If you want it duded up buy it at village golf cars. If you don't care how it looks, get it off property. Used ones may not be quiet.

Club Car makes the best electric car. You can go regular batteries or lithium. Both are quiet . After 5 years on regular batteries you just change the batteries. The electric motor will go on forever. After 8 years change the lithium, the electric motor will go on forever, lithium change is cheaper than getting a new golf car.

If you are going with a 4 seater, get the one with the seats facing forward. It is a much better ride as the seats are over the chassis and not over the back wheels.
Less bumpy ride, not a good ride in the ones facing backwards.

There is no shortage of people who will work on your golf car and if you have it serviced once a year you will be fine.

The Yamaha gas will go faster 20-28 miles per hour, the electric will go 20 mph. You don't have to join the Yamaha speeders, but, that too is your call.

Hopefully all of this input helps your decision process.

more only BUT<

Club Car electricIf its a budget decision get used or off campus.

Electric cars 20 MPH? I got passed by parcar LSV going 38 MPH down BV. When I rented had electric Star cart that had high and low switch on dash. The low side 20MPH max, the high side 30MPH plus. Either electric or gas can be made to run well over 20 MPH.

If I take governor out of my Yamaha gas it will top out about 38 MPH with engine rpm maxed out.

[SHIBUMI]

The number one priority is comfortable seats. ElTigre the best they will save your as......

Originally Posted by Rich Iwaszko

A general rule of thumb is that if you want gas, get a Yamaha. If you want electric get a Club Car.

Yamaha has the best gas car and it is is about 85% of golf cars in the villages, but, you want a late model so it is quiet. And you won't worry about running out of energy. If you want it duded up buy it at village golf cars. If you don't care how it looks, get it off property. Used ones may not be quiet.

Club Car makes the best electric car. You can go regular batteries or lithium. Both are quiet . After 5 years on regular batteries you just change the batteries. The electric motor will go on forever. After 8 years change the lithium, the electric motor will go on forever, lithium change is cheaper than getting a new golf car.

If you are going with a 4 seater, get the one with the seats facing forward. It is a much better ride as the seats are over the chassis and not over the back wheels.
Less bumpy ride, not a good ride in the ones facing backwards.

There is no shortage of people who will work on your golf car and if you have it serviced once a year you will be fine.

The Yamaha gas will go faster 20-28 miles per hour, the electric will go 20 mph. You don't have to join the Yamaha speeders, but, that too is your call.

Hopefully all of this input helps your decision process.

more only BUT<

Club Car electricIf its a budget decision get used or off campus.

[KennyP]

You've changed alot of parts that shouldnt have been changed in that short a period of time. Id find a new mechanic.

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I had CC DS, 2005. I had different view, the front end was cheap hit anything and bend something, bushing worn creating steering wheel wobble. Had corrosion problems, spot on garage floor, battery cables inside corrosion. Smell when charging, Brakes dust problems, had to remove drums clean out grit. Then there was the 4 year old batteries that starting to loose amps. I will admit I had no clue how precious owner took care of it. I guessing he done little and most likely over filled batteries creating the corrosion problems? I had pretty much fixed everything except the weak batteries.

It came with house I brought and was fine for running about neighborhood in my district. But running all day all over the villages was taking chance.

Now the ride, seats was uncomfortable. Suspension was ridged. I didn’t want the expense of batteries and fighting corrosion. So I sold it and brought 13,995 list price Yamaha village read gas cart 2 years old for 7500. With my 2500 sale of the CC got about 5 grand into it. It has 18K miles on it. I have replaced start battery twice, tires, belts twice, spark plug twice, secondary clutch, tie rod ends, and changed oil twice year. It’s 2012 EFI. Still runs and rides like new. But, I was mechanic for 40 plus years and know what to look for.

Bottom line to each his own!

You've changed alot of parts in a short time frame- Id find a new mechanic

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by KennyP

That wont make them quieter

And DARE I ASK..........why not?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

A few things keep me from being interested in E-carts:
1. A full 5-gallon tank of gas will last longer than a single full charge on an EV. If you use your cart every day for grocery, socialization, a round of golf every week, going to the squares, your clubs, doctor's office, picking up the mail - how often would you need to charge your batteries vs. how often you'd need to add gas to the tank?

2. When a gas cart battery needs to be replaced, it's around $100. When an electric cart's batteries need replacing it can set you back a few thousand bucks.

3. If the power's out, your e-cart will just have to sit there until the power's back on, and then you still have to wait for the charging process to complete. If you have a gas cart, just top it off from the 2-gallon can you keep in the garage for the lawnmower and you're good to go for another few days.

About #2........You have to compare the cost of replacing the batteries in a E-golf cart with a gas engine overall in a gas cart because the electric motor almost never goes bad. Plus one type of golf cart is bad for the environment and the other is good for the environment. BIG difference!

[MINKROCH]

Look into Villages Discount Golf! Many used and reconditioned carts with warranty, as well as new carts.

Customization of your cart is also available.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by GoingSouth

Relocating to TV and need a Golf Car/Cart. I went to a dealership in TV and looked at EV and gas. I read the forums and found guidance to include:
1. Buy in GA and have it shipped. (One suggestion, rent a uHaul and bring it)
2. Buy in TV from a dealer.
3. Buy outside TV - "Fast Eddie's" may not be a finalist.
4. Buy used - have on-site repair person or mechanic evaluate.
5. Buy Yamaha Gas - proven reliability
6. Buy EV lithium - Quiet, low maintenance, postpone TV from becoming "ocean front".

The internal battle is between "frugality, not over-spending, being taken advantage of" and "convenience". I can come up with a rationalization for each.

I am leaning towards Used, but need a recommendation on a mechanic or on-site service company to do the evaluation.

Thoughts on thinking or approaches welcome.

If you are tall be careful. Yamaha does have a taller roof. I am 6'2 and have to duck when getting in and out of a non Yamaha cart. Pay close to seats especially if you use it mostly for golf. Most custom seats do not have a side bar. Look for a seat which has contours in it. On a side hill, a person can slide out of the cart. Regarding used vs new. For a saving of $2-3K not worth the savings(my opinion). Lastly these carts are very reliable and there are a lot of mobile cart mechanics in TV.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by ron32162

Your overthinking it. Just go to Villages golf cart. they have a warranty and they will service it.

They will do repairs on carts purchased elsewhere. Had to replace the plastic part/floor which holds the golf clubs in my Yamaha. They wanted over $220 and Country Power laughed and charged me $80 for same job. Also bought cart from them 2K less. The Villages does offer loaners and they are convenient. Cart going strong with 0 repairs in 3 years. Convenient and expensive service is not worth 2K.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Most older gas golf carts are noisier than most cars and trucks. That is stupid crazy to me. Put a good muffler on those older ones!

Cars are liquid cooled which helps keep the noise down.