[Schaumburger]

I just finished my first visit to TV a couple of days ago. Didn't rent a golf cart as I was staying at a hotel next to Spanish Springs. I know nothing about golf carts except I've heard they are pretty much standard equipment for TV residents. I did look at some of the golf carts for sale outside of the TV golf cart store in Spanish Springs. What is the large square pedal on the floor -- is that the brake? There was a pedal in the golf carts I looked at that had the letter P on the pedal -- what is this pedal for?

My dream/goal is to move to TV in a few years. What would the experienced golf cart owners recommend for a first time golf cart owner -- gas or electric? Are some models easier to operate than others? Thanks in advance.

Laura

[l2ridehd]

Yes Laura, that is the brake. The P is for park. Always set the brake when you park the cart. I have both a gas and electric golf cart. They both have there pro's and con's. And if you ask 50 people, you will get 50 different reason why you should get one or the other.

If I could only have only one cart, my first would be a gas Yamaha. Very reliable, easy to maintain, trouble free, just seems to go and go forever with just adding gas. I would buy a low cost used one and have it serviced by one of the people who come to your home and change the oil, check the brakes etc. (Ken Spanos is good) Drive it for a year or so then decide what you really want. By buying a used one you should be able to sell it a year later for a few hundred less then you paid. By then you will know how far you drive it, how much golf, how much night driving, understand any noise issues and be able to buy a newer cart with your own informed knowledge based on your driving habits.

[njbchbum]

my guess re gas v elec is that it depends on what your usage will be...for short trips [under 30 miles] elec is fine...no gas smell and quiet...BUT...there is battery recharging and maintenance to get the hang of...the gas cart just needs to get filled up and you go...with the noise and sometimes with the gas odor [tho there is some sort of exhaust extension now that seems to abate said problem]...no need to charge anything [except maybe the gas!]...rather than invest in a used cart, perhaps you could consider renting one type for a few months and then the other for a few months...that might be more expensive in the short run - but it might be better in the long run if you have to sell the one you bought for less than you paid for it.

we are snowbirds so we bought the gas model and have housewatch who will take it out for exercise [to keep everything in working order] while we are away...don't have to worry about battery stuff while we are gone. my guss is that when we get to spend more than 3 mos in tv we might add an elec cart to the fleet...my travels are short distance and i live the quiet!

[Vinny]

I am fairly new in TV and bought sn electric cart because; well just because. I do not golf and just bought a nice V6 coupe with a 12 speaker sound system so for anything longer than a 20 minute trip I much prefer the comfort and luxury of my car. For trips to Sumter Landing, the pool/mail and local visits to friends and family I take the cart. It is fun and more relaxing than driving plus you get to look around more and see the sights. Why electric? It came down to finding a cart that my 4'11" wife could sit fully back and reach the pedals. We fo not put much milage on the cart so we can go 2-3 weeks before chargings. I like the quiet of it and get nauseous from the smell of gas fumes. Having said that when the time comes that my age makes driving less than an enjoyable and safe experience and a cart becomes my primary mode of transportation, I will gat a gas cart due to the range. Heck, by then they may even have flying carts.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Heck, by then they may even have flying carts.

Oh god, I kind of hope I'm not around at that time. Can you imagine - roundabouts in space

[collie1228]

Good one Russ. And the argument won't be gas vs. electric, but nuclear vs. hydrogen!

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Oh god, I kind of hope I'm not around at that time. Can you imagine - roundabouts in space

That scares me. By the way Russ, congrats on your purchase.

[Ohiogirl]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I am fairly new in TV and bought sn electric cart because; well just because. I do not golf and just bought a nice V6 coupe with a 12 speaker sound system so for anything longer than a 20 minute trip I much prefer the comfort and luxury of my car. For trips to Sumter Landing, the pool/mail and local visits to friends and family I take the cart. It is fun and more relaxing than driving plus you get to look around more and see the sights. Why electric? It came down to finding a cart that my 4'11" wife could sit fully back and reach the pedals. We fo not put much milage on the cart so we can go 2-3 weeks before chargings. I like the quiet of it and get nauseous from the smell of gas fumes. Having said that when the time comes that my age makes driving less than an enjoyable and safe experience and a cart becomes my primary mode of transportation, I will gat a gas cart due to the range. Heck, by then they may even have flying carts.

Vinny, I think you should still plug it in more often than every 2-3 weeks, probably more like every night or every other night? (experts, please help here). I'd make sure I unplugged it every morning just in case of any lightning storms that pop up, and also if storms are expected overnight.

I've been told that even an idle electric cart still uses a little of the charge just sitting there unplugged in your garage. Plus, once it is fully charged, the charger does not keep drawing electricity - it automatically shuts off. Would hate to meet you for the first time when you are stranded alongside the cart path

After 3 years of owning a cart but renting out our place with the cart, we still have a lot to learn about golf carts. Seems like they should tell you more when you buy it, but at least with us, appears you need to ask the right questions - and everyone seems to have different answers anyway.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

Vinny, I think you should still plug it in more often than every 2-3 weeks, probably more like every night or every other night? (experts, please help here).

My rule of thumb is to charge after 20 minutes of peddle time. I seldom use only 20 minutes , so I charge nightly, but if I just went to the post office that day I probably would not charge.

[mrdills]

I have owned electric golf cars for 14 years and never needed help because I ran out of electricity, and they don't smell or make noise.