Golf Carts, Gas VS Electric, Who Has Had Both?

[Allen]

I know that there have been many posts where people espouse the virtues of their gas or electric cart and this has been very helpful. However, to a certain extent it reminds me of the Ford VS Chevy debates we used to have as kids. If your family had a Ford, Chevy’s were junk and vice versa… wasn’t that fun!?!? :boxing2:

In this thread I would like to ask those of you who have had both gas and electric to comment on which you prefer and why.

Right now we are thinking of getting one of each to hedge our bets, but thought we could profit from the profound wisdom of those who have actually gone down both paths (no pun intended).

[aln]

I had a gas 2004-2006.
I bought 2 electric in late 2006
I live in Mira Mesa . . . 25 minutes to Lopez... 20 minutes to Havana.
I like the QUIET !
My neighbor has gas and I ride with him often to golf.
It's noisy and to talk to each other we have to really speak UP.

That's my main reason.
A good running gas cart doesn't smell "that much".

For me it's all about the noise.

[spk7951]

Bought two electric when we moved here in 2008. One Yamaha and one E-Z-GO. Once we started getting around TV we realized that it was probably a smart thing for us to own one of each because of the size/future size of this place. Since the E-Z-GO is a much better performing cart we traded in the Yamaha electric for a 2010 Yamaha gas with Curtis Cab doors. We have found this works very well for us. We rarely use our car and probably put 500 miles on each cart every month.

[foxmeadow]

I know that there have been many posts where people espouse the virtues of their gas or electric cart and this has been very helpful. However, to a certain extent it reminds me of the Ford VS Chevy debates we used to have as kids. If your family had a Ford, Chevy’s were junk and vice versa… wasn’t that fun!?!? :boxing2:

In this thread I would like to ask those of you who have had both gas and electric to comment on which you prefer and why.

Right now we are thinking of getting one of each to hedge our bets, but thought we could profit from the profound wisdom of those who have actually gone down both paths (no pun intended).

Allen,
We currently have one of each. The gas cart gives me peace of mind regarding how far I can go without concern for low batteries. My wife likes her electric cart because it is quiet and she only has to think about plugging it in and watering once a month. The gas cart needs to be fueled every two or three weeks, with service for oil, filters and tuneup once a year. The electric cart needs battery replacements every 4-5 years to the tune of about $600. All in all, each one serves our individual needs. The golf purists like only the eletric though.

[coach]

We have a 2001 Gas Yamaha 4 passenger and a 2004 E-Z-Go electric. We love the 4 passenger when company comes but use the electric much more. I like the quiet ride. We have never been stranded due to range and we go all the time everywhere.

There is really no right or wrong answer but if I could wave a majic wand and trade carts with no out of pocket cost I would have two electric carts.

I live near 466 so I'm pretty centrally located now. In a few years when Brownwood is built, we may use the gas for range of travel more often.

Bottom line is that we hardly use our one automobile. A few miles each month is all the auto driving we do. Most every trip is by golf cart.

[427dave]

We have had both. When we first moved here we had an electric. It was OK but my wife ran the batteries down a couple of times and I had to go and get her. I had to push it from the postal station one time. She drove off one time with the charger still plugged in, pulled the charger off the wall and down the drive. There is suppose to be a switch to prevent this, the dealer had disconnected it. She also tripped over the charging cable and broke her arm. We ended up trading it for a gas. She feels better about not getting stranded and not having to mess with the charger. We now have two gas carts and like them both. High speed gears will make a gas cart a lot quiter, so I have installed the H.S. gears in both. Not for the speed but for making it run quiter and get better gas mileage.

[l2ridehd]

Have one of each and each has there pro's and con's. You can find the list many places on here. Most are valid except the issue of smell. If the tank is not filled to excess and the tail pipe extension is in place the only gas smell is in the tunnels for the walkers and joggers to enjoy.

I use the gas when going any distance and use the electric for short trips. If I was limited to only one cart, it would be gas. If I can always have two, I will always have one of each.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

My wife has a rebuilt electric (orange/blue gatormobile with chrome) that she likes better then gas.
I bought a new Yamaha gas cart in order to travel all over and not worry about running low on charge. With a gas cart you can easily add a radio, fan etc. because it is a regular 12v battery.
One of each works well for us:highfive:

[golfball]

We've had both gas & electric. Currently only gas due to our two year experience with electric cart and our type of use of the cart for most all of our golf and trips around TV. It's always ready when we are.

GB

[Allen]

These posts have all been very insightful and informative so far! There are a lot of specific advantages and disadvantages being mentioned that have not been pointed out before… please keep them coming! :coolsmiley:

We have had both. When we first moved here we had an electric. It was OK but my wife ran the batteries down a couple of times and I had to go and get her. I had to push it from the postal station one time. She drove off one time with the charger still plugged in, pulled the charger off the wall and down the drive. There is suppose to be a switch to prevent this, the dealer had disconnected it. She also tripped over the charging cable and broke her arm. We ended up trading it for a gas. She feels better about not getting stranded and not having to mess with the charger. We now have two gas carts and like them both. High speed gears will make a gas cart a lot quiter, so I have installed the H.S. gears in both. Not for the speed but for making it run quiter and get better gas mileage.

To 427dave… I apologize in advance if you were not joking (or making some of that stuff up), but I have to say that was one of the funniest stories I think I have ever read on TOTV! I’m surprised you didn’t add that she also electrocuted the cat and brought down the entire power grid in the process! Either way, thanks for your post… it was both humorous and helpful as well! :1rotfl:

P.S. If your wife ever reads this post you are in deeeeeeep do do!

[Regor]

Maybe it doesn't matter to most people, but.......Princeton University tested the emissions on a gas golf cart and there findings were startling to say the least.

They found that a gas cart puts out 8 times the pollutants per mile than a Ford Taurus. Not a very "Green" ride.

[427dave]

These posts have all been very insightful and informative so far! There are a lot of specific advantages and disadvantages being mentioned that have not been pointed out before… please keep them coming! :coolsmiley:



To 427dave… I apologize in advance if you were not joking (or making some of that stuff up), but I have to say that was one of the funniest stories I think I have ever read on TOTV! I’m surprised you didn’t add that she also electrocuted the cat and brought down the entire power grid in the process! Either way, thanks for your post… it was both humorous and helpful as well! :1rotfl:

P.S. If your wife ever reads this post you are in deeeeeeep do do!

All unfortunately is true, the broken arm required surgery... The charger being drug down the driveway did not hurt it, just dented it up. She kept wondering what the noise was, :1rotfl:Your right if my wife ever sees it I am in deeeeep doo doo:1rotfl:

[427dave]

Maybe it doesn't matter to most people, but.......Princeton University tested the emissions on a gas golf cart and there findings were startling to say the least.

They found that a gas cart puts out 8 times the pollutants per mile than a Ford Taurus. Not a very "Green" ride.

The newer gas carts are better than ones 10 years ago. There are now EPA regulations on small engines, even lawn mowers. All the new motorcycles even have catalytic converters on them now. The electric carts being charged also cause emmisions, first when the battery is charging it is emitting hydrogen gas, which is flamable, and don't forget the electric power you are using is coming from a power plant somewhere generating emissions. Of course you don't have to follow the power plant.:)

[Vinny]

I do not golf, work full time and prefer a car with A/C and a killer sound system for longer trips so I got an electric cart. I like the quiet and lack of gasoline smell. With my limited use I have yet to charge it after a month. It is perfect for my current needs since I have a new car that I love. When I retire in 11 years (yes I still have to work that long) I will get a gas cart to go along with my electric cart which may or may not be my current one. Right now my friends and family require a car to visit. I am lucky in that we ace old friends and family on both sides in driving distance. I even have a cousin 5 minutes away by cart. Electric makes sense for me but if you golf a lot and plan on using your cart as your main transportation, a gas cart may be more suitable.

[starflyte1]

We have one of each. My husband has the gas cart so he can go anywhere and play golf. I like my electric cart as much as Burt likes his gas cart.

[Rob Stevens]

How many miles are you running each day to not want an electric cart? I figure anything less than 20 miles a day can be done easily in an electric cart. Does that sound right or am I too optimistic?