I googled EZ GO dealer in Ocala Fl - this came up>

HAWTHORNE'S EQUIPMENT COMPANY
2101 N Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34475
352-629-9610
Home Carts Unlimited

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HOME | Ocala Golf Cart

We sell used and remanufactured carts from trusted brands like Club Car, EZ-GO, and Yamaha.
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According to the EZ-GO website, the only authorized dealer in Ocala is:

HAWTHORNE'S EQUIPMENT COMPANY
2101 N Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34475
352-629-9610

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I agree. But, how can a "dealer" sell a brand new "factory fresh" golf cart, if they are not authorized to honor the manufacturer's warranty? And, if the dealer claims to be able to honor the warranty, why wouldn't the OP pay the $70 to transport it back to Ocala? Something doesn't sound right.

We used Hawthorne recently for an EZ-Go repair on our 2010 RXV. We found them very easy to deal with and were happy with the repairs and the price. They did charge for pickup/delivery.

I believe Hawthorne took over Town and Country, which sold carts in SS for years before closing. So I’d be disappointed if it turned out that Hawthorne was in fact the offending sales dealer in this thread. We planned to shop for a new cart there when we’re ready to buy a new one.

Clarification From the OP
 

Yes, it was Hawthorne. But between their non responsiveness over the past six months (5 months waiting for our promised 1 month delivery) and the very sloppy work they did on the options we paid to have them install, we have zero confidence in their ability to figure out the problem and repair it. When the cart was delivered it was very late in the day after their office hours, so we had to wait until the next morning to complain about the noise. The only response they eventually gave was to drive the cart 5-10 hours to see if the noise goes away. The noise has persisted. If they had test driven the cart when it was delivered to them they would have known there was something wrong with it.
So we turned to The Villages dealer. In addition to The Villages dealer’s service manager telling us the noise was not covered by warranty because it is a “fleet” vehicle (it’s not) that are “all made with low quality parts,” he also told us there is no other authorized dealer within 150 miles of TV. We know none of this true, so we don’t feel we can trust them, either. They won’t make appointments for any other than their “VIP” customers, anyway.
Our calls, emails and snail mail letters to EZGO about the situation have proven useless. The next thing we will try is writing a registered letter to the president or CEO of Textron.

We recently purchased a home in the Village of Bradford and a new lithium powered golf cart is on our 'short list' of next purchases. Thank you for sharing your experience with Hawthorne, this potential customer will definitely keep in mind your service issues! I'll add it's disappointing when The Villages Golf Carts service managers are part of the problem telling you the things that they did. I understand they wanted you to buy from them, but could have picked up a customer for life if they'd only been more helpful. Does anyone know of a stand up dealer nearby, seems like they all have their issues especially with service?

Before being treated so badly by the local dealer we had considered getting a second cart from them. Now we don’t trust them.

My Elite also makes what I call a high pitched whining sound. To me it's gotten louder lately. I have 1700 miles on it. It is 2021. I took it to The Villages golf cart store where I bought it and the mechanic says that is the normal sound. I don't think it was that loud when I bought it. My brother in-law takes delivery on a new one in a couple of weeks, so I'm waiting till I ride in his to compare.

If that’s normal, I guess that means the same models in their showroom that are silent must be abnormal. Please post the results after you get to do that. Thanks!

I suspect it is either a noisy motor controller or the transaxle. A defective AC motor controller can become louder over time.

MCFEFE - That's just Plum Quick (?) :) Navitas controller?

Drifting slightly off topic, any recommendations for a battery charge to keep at a second location?

Update from OP: Cart was returned to original dealer. Mechanics there could not find the cause for the whining/grinding noise. The invoice indicated the controller was “computer tested” and an additive was added to the “rear end.” Cart was test driven but they “found no issues.” Verbally, I was told it is safe to drive the cart and if EZGO receives a lot of complaints about noise issues they will investigate and possibly issue a recall. So anyone having the same problem should contact EZGO in addition to complaining to the dealers.

Does it still sound the same to you? Depending on where you live I might be able to bring mine by so we can drive them both and compare.

The sound is the same as before. The same models we have test driven have been completely silent until they reached their higher speeds when road noise is evident. Is your cart the same 2021 EZGO Freedom RXV Elite with 4.2 lithium? The first of these were just manufactured in January, though some of the 4.0 models from late 2020 (still designated as 2021) have been exhibiting similar whining/grinding noises. We have already compared our cart with one of these. Theirs had larger wheels and the seats were different in that our cart has the new thick bench seat and theirs had bucket style seats. The noise emitted was similar on both carts and the other owners have an appointment with The Villages dealer later this month to have this checked out.
If your cart is one of these two models, what type of noise is it making?