GEM Cars

[JohnM]

Any GEM car owners out there? If so, how do you like them? Any issues with use on TV golf courses?

John

[sneese]

Yes John, I do have a GEM 2007 e2. I like it very much. There was an inherent oil leak in the front end between the motor and differential. It was discovered by the factory that the differential on the 2007 models was being over-filled and when the engine heated up, it pushed the oil out of the seal on the differential. Since they drained the oil out of the differential and filled it with less oil volume it was just fine.

There isn't any issue at all with the tires on the golf courses in TV.

[JohnM]

sneese...thanks for the reply.

Did you buy it new from a local dealer? What kind of range do you get in The Villages? Any issues with getting it serviced nearby? I assume that you have to keep an eye on your speed to keep it legal as it is rated at 25 mph...

It looks interesting as it appears to be more of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) than golf cart and that is what we think we want.

TIA,

John

[JohnN]

are GEM carts allowed on the multimodal (golf cart) paths?

[bobfl]

I have seen them both on roads and cart paths. They are equipped with a digital speedometer so you can control your speed. They also have a low speed/ high speed switch to allow usage on the golf courses, low only allows 15 mph and high goes to 25 mph. They are offering $500 and $1000 discount coupons on their site right now.

Check out www.gemcar.com

[golfnut]

you do realize you have to license and pay insurance rates equivalent to a regular car.

[JohnM]

are GEM carts allowed on the multimodal (golf cart) paths?

I asked the question of District Office. John Rohan responded: (1) they are permitted on Multi-Modal Paths (CAUTION: check tunnel height) and (2) the golf courses have tire requirements and they would have to comply.

John

[JACSTA]

Have a nice 2 seater fo sale.. Blue lots of extras. 2172986

[golfnut]

JACSTA, what is the annual cost of license plates and insurance....GN

[JohnM]

I am interested as well. I hear that the GEM (unmodified) would be classified as a low speed vehicle (LSV) and under FS 320.01(42) would require tags and insurance which I hear run about $500+ per year. FS 320.01(42) would also apply to any souped-up Par Cars, Club Cars, etc. If the vehicle is "capable" of speeds in excess of 20 mph, FS 320.01(42) applies. I wonder how many souped-up Club Cars are registered.

As a practical matter, I wonder if enforcement is mostly limited to vehicles traveling in excess of 20 mph.

John

[downeaster]

A "souped up" Club Car, Yamaha, etc. can not be registered if it is not properly equipped as an automobile. (Windshield wiper, seat belts, brakes, etc). If it can exceed 20MPH it is no longer a golf cart.
Therefore, if it is capable of exceeding 20MPH it can be cited for operating an improperly equipped vehicle. A simple speeding ticket may not apply as it
has not exceeding the posted limit. But, the citation for operating an improperly equipped vehicle means a trip to Bushnell to face a judge with fines and costs far exceeding a speeding ticket. Among other costs would be the cost of retrofitting the cart to factory specs before it can be driven on the streets again.
If it has been properly modified and has all the proper steps taken to qualify as an auto, it can then be registered and must be insured. However, I would think it could only be operated by a licensed driver so that means a fourteen year old grandchild would be out of luck.
Last but not least, golf cart insurance generally will not cover a "souped up" cart. The owner of such a cart who submits a claim may find he has voided the coverage. The insurance claims adjusters look for signs of tampering as do the local police.

[The Great Fumar]

JOHNM
You might want to do a little research on the gem cars...they are quite unpopular with a lot of villagers..they are to slow for the streets , to big for the cart paths and to heavy for the golf courses.(make deep tracks on moist ground)...Its seems like every six months someone brings up a review about them in the villages........They do look pretty slick and shouldn't be to hard to buy as several of them have "for sale" signs in their back windows.....as for personal experience , I have never driven one.....wife won't let me....

Hen pecked fumar

[JohnM]

JOHNM
You might want to do a little research on the gem cars...


FUMAR....that is exactly what I am doing and your input is greatly appreciated. As might be expected, some love them and some don't. I do hear that there is a GEM Club with over 100 members in The villages. I want to chat with some of them, but they probably are in the first category. I need to talk to some who are selling...

John

[JohnM]

they are...to big for the cart paths and to heavy for the golf courses.(make deep tracks on moist ground)

Here are the specs on the GEM e2:

55x99x70 (WxLxH) 1140 lbs


Anyone care to add specs for Club Car, Par Car, EZ-Go, Star?

John

[JohnM]

JOHNM
Its seems like every six months someone brings up a review about them in the villages........

Do you have any links to these reviews? This is exactly what I am trying to find.

TIA,

John

[downeaster]

Here are the specs on the GEM e2:

55x99x70 (WxLxH) 1140 lbs


Anyone care to add specs for Club Car, Par Car, EZ-Go, Star?

John


My 2003DS Club Car, IQ System:
Width 47.25"
Length 91.5"
Ht W/canopy 68.5"
Wt. W/O Batteries 494 lb (add the weight of six batteries)

[The Great Fumar]

John
First of all I'm shocked when you say there is a club with 100 members . Where are they ??? If I see two a day , thats a lot....sorry guy but I play golf four days a week and I don't see them............fumar

[JohnM]

Fumar,

As I said, I "hear" there is a GEM Club with over 100 members...I do not know. I do know that there is an "official" GEM Car Owners Club (See yesterday's Rec News, next meeting Tuesday @ 7 PM @ Saddlebrook)(How many members do you need to be recognized as a club?)...more than that I do not know.

Thanks for the feedback.

John

[downeaster]

Fumar is correct on both points.

They are neither fish nor fowl.

I play a lot of golf (executive) and I can not remember the last time I saw one on the course.

The only person I know who owned one didn't keep it long.

I consider them dangerous on Buena Vista and El Camino.

[JohnM]

downeaster....thanks for your input...

John