Originally Posted by Gerald (Post 1148974)

It really is simple. You need to buy a gas model. The village is still growing and many have already had problems on Electric carts due to the driving distances.

There are many models to choose from. Lots of places to buy then from new and old, in and out, of the villages. You will need to go to several places to decide what you want.

Originally Posted by Gerald (Post 1148974)

You need to buy a gas model. The village is still growing and many have already had problems on Electric carts due to the driving distances.

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1148994)

Originally Posted by ajbrown (Post 1146415)

How long will my batteries last? I budget for 3-4 years.

My last battery pack lasted 5.5 years. That statement means nothing unless you know about:

1. my battery configuration,
2. how I used my cart
3. how I maintained my pack

I can answer those questions:

1. 8-6 volt Trojan T105s
2. I cannot quantify this, so no facts here to help, but I never (except once) discharge the pack to less than 50% SOC
3. I do the best I can. Keep them charged, watered, clean...

Some experiences that may help…

I did some testing when the batteries in my cart were two years old:

driving 22 - 26 miles left the cart at 75% SOC
driving 45 - 50 miles left the cart at 50% SOC

• your mileage likely will vary based on your three answers above
• mileage will decrease with age to some degree which I have not measured (this test was with two year old batteries).

On that same trip, I took the cart 63 miles with an ending voltage of 47.6 (A bit less than 40% SOC) Do not do this routinely (see pretty picture below for my test runs).

Looking at a couple of cycles versus discharge charts (One cycle means, taking the cart out for a ride to discharge, then fully charging)

Looking at some charts on the Internet (google “cycles vs depth of discharge images”):

If you discharge the cart:

20% SOC EVERY time you use it, you should expect 2000 to 3000 cycles
50% SOC EVERY time you use it you should expect 1000 to 1300 cycles

As you can see there is quite a difference in the charts <lol>. My gut feel is that even the lower numbers are optimistic but I have no way to prove that. I have never attempted to track the discharge SOC versus cycles of my carts and have no intention on starting.

We have two ELECTRIC golf carts, which makes over usage a non-issue. Living in Mallory also has its advantages as far as distance to things. No matter where I lived in TV MY CHOICE would be electric and I would not have an issue with range.

If none of what I am trying to convey makes any sense, I suggest taking the good advice already provided by some electric owners or get a gas cart :1rotfl:

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...v/DSC_0389.jpg

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 1146286)

Yamaha gas, but there's Pro's & Con's to both. I bought a new gas Yamaha when I moved here permanently in 2012. Yamaha is the most popular cart but they're also the most expensive. Mine isn't nothing fancy but I paid well over $10,000. for mine & it's not fancy. Shop around a little but definitely buy a gas cart. Electric Cart batteries will cost you close to $1,000. every 5 yr's or so!

Originally Posted by Sable99 (Post 1146287)

Good information. I haven't bought my cart yet but I've always leaned toward the Yamaha Gas. I didn't want to mess with all the batteries on an electric cart. Okay I admit it, the only thing I know about my Flex is where the gas goes!

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1164347)

Closer to $500 - $600 every five years or so. I have 2 electrics and did research those costs before buying. I suspect as quantity increases costs may come down.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1164352)

Trojan 105s, a popular battery in 8x6V configurations, run about $130 a pop. That works out to $1000 for a new battery pack.

Originally Posted by jebartle (Post 1144839)

my neighbor has a great looking golf cart that he must sell since he sold his home. He is asking $2000.

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1164386)

hmmmm....I must have had a different Trojan distributor.....either way, the OP should check out both and make his choice based on their needs.....while I think gas is a poor choice, they might feel differently.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1164467)

Where I live, about 90% of the carts are gas. Most people see the obvious superiority of gas carts. Lower cost of ownership, higher resale value, less maintenance. Pretty much a no-brainer. Yes, they should look at both but most people will choose gas until battery technology improves.

Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 1164528)

OP, IMHO, since you are just moving in I would like to offer some suggestions:
1. First where you are moving into and where you will be going make a huge impact. For example, we live in Pinellas, and go to Spanish Springs 3 times or more per week. This is NOT a golf cart trip, IMHO.
2, If you know for sure that you will be golfing, try renting a golf cart, and see what you like, try both types.
3. Be sure you understand that going from A to B by a car and by a golf cart can be significantly different, while I have seen a few instances where the GC path was shorter, in general I have found the car paths to be much short, both in distance and time.
Bottom line, move in, get to know the area, figure out what and where you think you want to go most, then and only then look at golf carts. All of the previous posters have LOTS more experience with GC them us, we use our car(s) 95% of the time or more due to distance and weather.
Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1164348)

With a gas cart you will learn more.

Originally Posted by cavalier65 (Post 1204822)

Why gas? Smelly fumes and high noise--go through any tunnel and prove it to yourself. Even on the golf course the lawn mower gas engine is objectionable. Do not believe the critics who claim you cannot get the driving range---50 miles. There is no reason in The Villages to exceed 35 miles in one day. If you live in Oceola and want to go to Spanish Springs--use your car. Batteries being replaced and costly, etc. is a scare tactic used by Yamaha sales. Every 5 years is not too much, plus, you do not have to fool with gasoline/oil. It is the 21st Century:)

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1164467)

Where I live, about 90% of the carts are gas. Most people see the obvious superiority of gas carts. Lower cost of ownership, higher resale value, less maintenance. Pretty much a no-brainer. Yes, they should look at both but most people will choose gas until battery technology improves.

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1204828)

This is your opinion which you share with other electrophiles. You'll never change a gas head mind. It's like an ass guy trying to change a boob guys mind, ain't happening.

Originally Posted by cavalier65 (Post 1204822)

Why gas? Smelly fumes and high noise--go through any tunnel and prove it to yourself. Even on the golf course the lawn mower gas engine is objectionable. Do not believe the critics who claim you cannot get the driving range---50 miles. There is no reason in The Villages to exceed 35 miles in one day. If you live in Oceola and want to go to Spanish Springs--use your car. Batteries being replaced and costly, etc. is a scare tactic used by Yamaha sales. Every 5 years is not too much, plus, you do not have to fool with gasoline/oil. It is the 21st Century:)

Originally Posted by baustgen (Post 1204904)

It all boils down to one question. Can you remember to plug it in every night. If not, buy gas. You can always take your car to get more gas. If you are out of battery, you are not going anywhere for hours.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1204924)

The statement about the 21st Century is a bit strange. Can I assume you drive a Tesla or some other electric car? If you don't, then I am not sure I understand your point. I would much rather "fool" with oil and gas then "fool" with battery acid. By the way, Yamaha sells both gas and electric carts so I don't understand your statement about "scare tactics" from Yamaha sales. Charging your flooded lead acid batteries in your enclosed garage in not without issues. Once every 3 weeks or so I put gas in my cart - it provides low maintenance, dependable transportation at a low cost without the issues of dealing with unsealed batteries. Buy what you want and I hope you enjoy it but please refrain from making false statements about a technology you don't appear to understand.

Originally Posted by JoMar (Post 1204930)

It seems that you are a gas head and that's ok.....during the times I rented here the owners provided gas carts and I rented a second gas cart. We had issues every year, electrical failure, seals leaking, gas smell in the garage. When we moved here in 2014 we bought two NEW electrics. I'm an electric head.....:). I will say that the farther I drive north the number of gas carts is higher but down here below 466A I hear less and less gas and see more electrics. The OP should do their own research and make an educated decision rather than listening to those of us that are biased either way.

Originally Posted by mrf6969 (Post 1204929)

When I do an observation on the cart paths or carts parked in the town squares it appears that somewhere between 70-80 percent of the carts are Yamaha gas. If this was not a monster of a community then I am sure all I would be seeing is electric carts.
We all love quiet but honestly I stopped in and test drove a new 2016 Yam gas cart the other day and I was very impressed how non-noisy it was at cruising speed.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1204998)

I would estimate that 80-90% of the carts below 466A are gas. Almost all of carts in my Village are gas.

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1205010)

think about your carbon foot print GoSolar, 70 miles

You don't need no stink n gas


:coolsmiley:




I'm not sure of that estimate, mine is 60%, I'm only here 3.5 years but that what I see IMO



.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1205006)

My 2014 Yamaha is quiet at cruising speed - just sort of hums along.

Originally Posted by photo1902 (Post 1205016)

Same here. Very happy with our 2014 Yamaha. No doubt some of the older carts are noisy and may have fume issues, newer ones don't. I'm open to gas or electric, but unless I saw a time tested electric cart which held up to the mileage claims, I wouldn't trade my gas cart for anything.

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1205010)

think about your carbon foot print GoSolar, 70 miles

You don't need no stink n gas


:coolsmiley:




I'm not sure of that estimate, mine is 60%, I'm only here 3.5 years but that what I see IMO



.

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1205018)

HOw about this test let someone drive your cart, you drive behind it, then tell us what fumes you don't smell, better yet go thru a tunnel.

they smell, are noisy & vibrate.

IN about 10 days the solar cart will be on demo at the Squares, come and kick the tires


.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1205019)

Regarding the "solar footprint" argument, the impact from running a gas cart is below minuscule. Unless you have put PV panels on your roof and drive only electric cars such as a Leaf or Tesla, such comments hypocritical.

Originally Posted by photo1902 (Post 1205016)

Same here. Very happy with our 2014 Yamaha. No doubt some of the older carts are noisy and may have fume issues, newer ones don't. I'm open to gas or electric, but unless I saw a time tested electric cart which held up to the mileage claims, I wouldn't trade my gas cart for anything.

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1205022)

Most folks that say that lost their sensitivity to smell,
it happens to some as we age, I'm not trying to be funny, it's fact.

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1205023)

I understand your position and respectfully disagree, let's leave it that.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1205026)

We would consider an electric when/if lithium-ion battery packs become available at a lower price point.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1205032)

Too funny. I guess this means you don't have PV panels on your house