Street legal (LSV) gas carts

[Chazz]

My buddy is considering purchasing a street legal/low speed vehicle (LSV), but in gas, not electric. Up until pretty recently, only electrics could be LSVs. Now that it is possible to purchase gas LSVs, he was wondering which dealers actually sell them. Does anyone know?

[Sandtrap328]

My buddy is considering purchasing a street legal/low speed vehicle (LSV), but in gas, not electric. Up until pretty recently, only electrics could be LSVs. Now that it is possible to purchase gas LSVs, he was wondering which dealers actually sell them. Does anyone know?

Don't forget to remind your buddy that a LSW requires insurance and license plates as well as certain safety equipment. They also are restricted to a maximum speed of 25 mph.

[Bonanza]

My buddy is considering purchasing a street legal/low speed vehicle (LSV), but in gas, not electric. Up until pretty recently, only electrics could be LSVs. Now that it is possible to purchase gas LSVs, he was wondering which dealers actually sell them. Does anyone know?

Tell your buddy he should think twice about getting a street legal cart -- gas or otherwise
They are simply an accident waiting to happen.

[tomwed]

I would rent one for a month if it's possible and test out your comfort zone.

[Mleeja]

Might as well purchase a smart car. Same size as a golf cart LSV and much safer.

[Chazz]

Tell your buddy he should think twice about getting a street legal cart -- gas or otherwise
They are simply an accident waiting to happen.

Actually, he already owns an electric LSV (Par Car) for which the gas would be a replacement. He knows the risks, as he has been riding that Par Car on the roads for the last 5 years, I think.

[Chazz]

Might as well purchase a smart car. Same size as a golf cart LSV and much safer.

Funny you should mention that. I own a Smart Car, as well as a mini-van and greatly prefer it over any type of golf car. However, they are not for use on golf courses and, unlike me, my buddy's wife plays golf.

[alzjr]

Driving a LSV for 6 years, over 30,000 miles, how much longer do I have to wait for that accident? Have never even come close so far.

[tomwed]

Funny you should mention that. I own a Smart Car, as well as a mini-van and greatly prefer it over any type of golf car. However, they are not for use on golf courses and, unlike me, my buddy's wife plays golf.
Me too
I leased it for 3 years for very little money. I walk the execs and jump in someone elses cart on the championship courses. If that's not in the cards I think they only charge $10 to rent one the championship courses.
I don't care for it on the highways.
But it keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's comfortable and fun to drive. And I don't mind driving to an exec on the other side of town in half the time.

[Bonanza]

Driving a LSV for 6 years, over 30,000 miles, how much longer do I have to wait for that accident? Have never even come close so far.

Maybe tomorrow???

[red tail]

Tell your buddy he should think twice about getting a street legal cart -- gas or otherwise
They are simply an accident waiting to happen.

an lsv has most of the safety features of an automobile. how could it be an accident waiting to happen. I suggest you find out what an lsv is before commenting on its safety.

[Chatbrat]

Why can't a Smart car be used on a golf course if it had the correct tires & the speed is under 20 mph

[Rollie]

Everyone seems to be getting off subject. Op was asking about gas lsv's.

Rollie

[PaPaLarry]

I enjoy riding on cart paths!! More scenic view, and less tension!!! For those who like the roads, more power to you, but must admit, have to be more cautious. Happy Motoring!

[tomwed]

Why can't a Smart car be used on a golf course if it had the correct tires & the speed is under 20 mph
Smart cars weigh 1800 lbs and golf carts weigh 900 lbs. How many times would the golfer be restarting the engine in a round?

and many more reasons

[looneycat]

an lsv has most of the safety features of an automobile. how could it be an accident waiting to happen. I suggest you find out what an lsv is before commenting on its safety.

because you are limited to a speed 10mph below the rest of traffic in effect making you an impediment to traffic flow, as such you are far more open to an accident, and those additional features won't help much if you are in an accident with a real car.....

[blueash]

My personal observation is that any gas golf cart can be converted to a maximum 25 MPH street legal. I have lots of them fly by me. Just need to add the seat belts and pay the license and insurance costs and you have a gas LSV. I'm not sure if the plastic windshields pass muster but looking at electric LSV they seem to have the same windshields as standard carts. Also will need to get a VIN. So while no manufacturer I can find is yet selling a gas LSV perhaps any souped up gas cart will qualify. The local police seem to find gas LSV all the time.

[alzjr]

because you are limited to a speed 10mph below the rest of traffic in effect making you an impediment to traffic flow, as such you are far more open to an accident, and those additional features won't help much if you are in an accident with a real car.....

35MPH is the maximum speed allowed on those streets, not the miminum. Much of the traffic is going at a slower speed. (bicycles, scooters, tractors, rollerbladers, stilt walkers) Drivers of "real cars" have to learn how to share the road. There is another lane a little to to the left for the faster drivers to use so the slower traffic in the right lane is not an impediment to traffic flow.

[alzjr]

Maybe tomorrow???
Whew, made it through today!

[Chazz]

Everyone seems to be getting off subject. Op was asking about gas lsv's.

Rollie

Thank you for stating that! Now, to get back to the original question. Does anyone know of local dealers who sell gas powered LSV's? So far, the answer seems to be no.

[memason]

Thank you for stating that! Now, to get back to the original question. Does anyone know of local dealers who sell gas powered LSV's? So far, the answer seems to be no.

Honestly Chazz...you've wasted an entire day reading through all the BS about LSV's, which had nothing to do with your question.

Don't you think it would be much easier [and informative] to just call a few cart dealers and ask them the question.

TOTV is not always the right place to ask a question, if you want a serious answer.

[John_W]

Smart cars weigh 1800 lbs and golf carts weigh 900 lbs. How many times would the golfer be restarting the engine in a round?
and many more reasons

Going down another path, GEM Cars fall into the street legal and golf course play category, but they are electric. They weigh between 1100 and 1300 pounds. Last year we were playing golf on Ameila nine at Mallory, and I believe it was the 5th hole. There are several small mogul type hills down the left side and the group in front of us had stopped. We walked up to see what was going on and the fellow had a 4 seater GEM and the front and back wheels were both off the grounds since he had the car suspended between a couple of hills. We all got behind the car and pushed off the hill.

http://www.ride-4-fun.com/images/GEM-car-16-inch-tire-wheel-pak-10.jpg

If the Smart Car was to his liking, since he does have the Par Car for golf, I would go with the subcompact. I've heard some negative feedback on the Smart Car, engine noise, heat, sluggish gear shift, etc. I haven't driven one but I would give a look at the Scion IQ. I've seen one at MVP several times and it's a nice looking little car.

http://lifestyledrivers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_Scion_iQ_Front_Angle.jpg

[Chazz]

Honestly Chazz...you've wasted an entire day reading through all the BS about LSV's, which had nothing to do with your question.

Don't you think it would be much easier [and informative] to just call a few cart dealers and ask them the question.

TOTV is not always the right place to ask a question, if you want a serious answer.

I read pretty quickly, thank you. Although I haven't gotten a lead that I had hoped for, it may be because there are no such dealers. If I had gotten, or will get, a lead from TOTV, I will pass it on to my buddy. To me, that is far preferable to making a bunch of calls. In addition, the message might be of value to others who have an interest in the subject.

I would rather not put up with likely sales pitches from various dealers, particularly, when I'm not the prospective customer. My buddy is.

[looneycat]

35MPH is the maximum speed allowed on those streets, not the miminum. Much of the traffic is going at a slower speed. (bicycles, scooters, tractors, rollerbladers, stilt walkers) Drivers of "real cars" have to learn how to share the road. There is another lane a little to to the left for the faster drivers to use so the slower traffic in the right lane is not an impediment to traffic flow.

I didn't realise ir was a sharing discussion, I thought it was real world and the few accidents were probably not 'sharers' but the outcomes not good.

[dbussone]

Going down another path, GEM Cars fall into the street legal and golf course play category, but they are electric. They weigh between 1100 and 1300 pounds. Last year we were playing golf on Ameila nine at Mallory, and I believe it was the 5th hole. There are several small mogul type hills down the left side and the group in front of us had stopped. We walked up to see what was going on and the fellow had a 4 seater GEM and the front and back wheels were both off the grounds since he had the car suspended between a couple of hills. We all got behind the car and pushed off the hill.



http://www.ride-4-fun.com/images/GEM-car-16-inch-tire-wheel-pak-10.jpg



If the Smart Car was to his liking, since he does have the Par Car for golf, I would go with the subcompact. I've heard some negative feedback on the Smart Car, engine noise, heat, sluggish gear shift, etc. I haven't driven one but I would give a look at the Scion IQ. I've seen one at MVP several times and it's a nice looking little car.



http://lifestyledrivers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_Scion_iQ_Front_Angle.jpg


A manual diesel model Smart car would be great around here. They are highly sought in Rome and other cities.

[tomwed]

Why?