How old of a pre owned golf cart?

[Papa_lecki]

What is everyone’s experience with what year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?
I know it depends on a lot of factors, but if you were doing a search, and there was a field for the oldest you would buy, what year (is it 2010, 2005, etc)?
I guess it might depend on gas vs electric?

Thanks

[bilcon]

I just sold my 2007 electric Club Cart that was like new. Even my mechanic asked me why I sold it. Golf carts last for a very long time if they are taken care of. I just didn't use it enough to keep it. Look around and check the condition. You can tell a lot about the condition of a older cart by the way it looks. Make sure the batteries are good if you choose an electric. New Trojan batteries can cost close to $1000 for 48 volt installed. There are some good deals on used carts if you are worried about the cost of a new gas Yamaha. Check out your neighbors. They may have one for sale that is in good condition. Good Luck.

[ctmurray]

For a gas cart I would say the 2016 model Yamaha, they made this much more quiet that previous models. (Might be a 2017 model, we purchased in the fall of 2016). The added quietness is a very nice feature. You can have conversations with the person sitting next to you while driving.

[dewilson58]

same as an auto, no magical age

[Topspinmo]

Depends on condition and owners knowledge? IMO For gas I say 2012 1/2 fuel injected models and later. Carburetor models are Bucky and more acceptable to stalling and plugging up, plus you have to understand how choke works. Majority F.I. Models smooth and problematic free. Electric carts, I would look for corrosion on cables, wiring and metal parts in, under, and around batteries. If you look at carts over 3 years old and have some general working knowledge I would try get non golfer cart, golfer carts usually have two to three times the usage.

IMO electric cart will have to have the batteries replaced anywhere from 5 to 7 years. Along with regular moving parts of gas carts. Gas carts require routine oil changes and gas. If you get gas cart at least pull the dip stick out and look at oil level and condition? Low or you have to peal oil off dip stick RUN away.

IMO Nothing wrong with older carts as long as they were taken care of and you can tell the difference between good on and one on cardiac arrest?

[asianthree]

Our 2006 Yamaha gets a yearly maintenance. Still going strong. If you sit and watch carts go by, you will see some from the 90s still getting people where they need to go.

[graciegirl]

What is everyone’s experience with what year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?
I know it depends on a lot of factors, but if you were doing a search, and there was a field for the oldest you would buy, what year (is it 2010, 2005, etc)?
I guess it might depend on gas vs electric?
Thanks

Mine is a 2001 still chugging merrily along on gas. My clever husband sees to it and it has been carefully maintained. Four seater. Bought it used in 2006. Never, ever, quit and abandoned me along the road like some electric ones do.

[Rango]

If considering a gas cart, I would only buy one with fuel injection.

[eweissenbach]

2 years ago I purchased a 2008 (first year of the Drive model) Yamaha Drive factory 4 seater cart. It had been refurbished in 2012. It looked like new and drove like new. I have had it serviced by Todd Casey and had him install a new throttle cable when the old one gave way. I have KartAide which I used once to get the cart home when the throttle cable failed. I had new seats installed last winter which really was a great upgrade. I paid more than I wanted for this cart but still less than half what a new cart would cost. It is not EFI but is quieter than many EFIs I have driven or ridden in. Most carts and particularly Yamaha carts, are relatively trouble free and will last reliably for twenty years or more.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=87263&stc=1&d=1607540410

[Fredman]

I would recommend a 2012 1/2 or newer Fuel injected Yamaha

[rnbpoutney]

Only consider a gas cart..... Yamaha seems to be the most reliable..... Get the newer Quietech Drive2 . you might spend a little more money but you will have it for a number of years..... Yamaha 2017 and later is a much much smoother ride and very quiet. plus they are safer... (larger turn signals) Huge differences than the older carts.... Don’t get a cart with a carburetor.... they stink and will stink up your garage.
Please Don’t buy a refurbished cart, for the most part they have been driven around a golf cart for a year before the seller even gets them, No hour meters on them, not wired with current Yamaha Parts the list goes on and on....

[J1ceasar]

Gas if your a golfer. Electric if you aren't . My 2000 is still fine and works great . Replaced batteries twice
Easygo

[bilcon]

I have a 2013 Yamaha FI and it runs like a charm. While it is not as quiet as the new ones, it is not as noisy as the old one's with a carburetor. Todd Casey has always taken care of my older Electric 2007 Club Car which I just sold and now is taking care of my Yamaha. No problems. PS: My electric club cart never broke down, or ran out of power.

[PoolBrews]

For Yamaha, you want at least a 2017 model. 2017 is when they released the Drive 2. It's far quieter than earlier models, but more importantly, this is when they introduced independent suspension and the ride is FAR better than 2016 and earlier. We had a 2013 in incredible shape - took a ride once in a 2017, and then sold the 2013 and bought a 2017.

There is virtually no difference between a 2017 and 2018-2021. Same ride and design. It's little things - the 2018 had the thicker steering wheel, the 2019 has a different colored gas pedal, they introduced auto turn signals in 2021. But the design and ride remain the same.

If you see a deal on a cart from 2017 and up, go for it!

[pgettinger01]

I bought a 2011 Yamaha gas golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts because I was on a budget. They serviced it and guaranteed it. I have had no problems. The problem is the web site does show The inventory or prices or years. They sales people can sort by price and year. I called back every few days and asked for the cheapest and oldest. I found one in good condition in about ten days for $5,300 out the door. Sometimes you have to go to different stores to see them. The service on mine included oil change, high speed gear, tires, windshield, wheels... It includes a loaner.

[harby]

Very good question as most of the golf cart dealers sell 'rebuilt' carts and almost never mention what year it is made unless you do a research or buy a 'new' cart. Chas

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The motors in electric golf carts tend to last quite a bit longer than gas motors. My 2002 Club Car is still running great.

[Aviator1211]

I purchased a 2011 Star cart, installed lithium batteries (ReLion) and couldn't be happier. No more noise, fueling, stink, maintenance, and fuss with a gas engine, and no battery maintenance, range anxiety as the batteries age, and battery replacement (the lithiums should last 24,000 miles ... longer than I plan to be around). I would recommend against a gas cart, in a few years I suspect you won't be able to give one of those away.

Other than the brushes in the motor and the tires, there isn't much to wear out in an electric cart (not even the brakes, thanks to regenerative braking). I especially like the way the back seat on the Star cart folds up out of the way. Its very nice to be able to carry two couples (we have even carried 6 people, as the lithium batteries are 400 pounds lighter than the old lead/acid).

[DAVES]

What is everyone’s experience with what year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?
I know it depends on a lot of factors, but if you were doing a search, and there was a field for the oldest you would buy, what year (is it 2010, 2005, etc)?
I guess it might depend on gas vs electric?

Thanks

As you will see there is no shortage of opinion. So for my two cents worth. Ours is eight years old purchased new. I wanted to buy used wife wanted new. Since she uses it far more than I do and I did not want to hear, I told your so, we bought new. We have fuel injection. Our neighbor has the same year carburetor and has needed to have the carburetor replaced. I don't think it is a matter of reliability but more the fact that it mostly sits in his garage unused.
The 2017 gas Yamaha is quieter than previous gas Yamahas. The major difference is added sound absorption material. If, you wish there are kits to add sound deadening to the older carts. The 2018 now has an oxygen sensor I expect it is for pollution control. Likely, as in a car it is another item that will need to be replaced within a time span.
I don't think there is any collectors value in an old golf cart but it might be amusing to know who HONESTLY still uses the oldest golf cart in the villages Mine is eight years old and not even a contender.

[DAVES]

Very good question as most of the golf cart dealers sell 'rebuilt' carts and almost never mention what year it is made unless you do a research or buy a 'new' cart. Chas

Rebuilt? What does that mean-they do not tell you. As in a car, you can buy a rebuilt engine and install it. Properly done it should last as long as new engine. It is far more likely rebuilt golf cart means they do the minimum. Perhaps, a valve adjustment, belts,
clutch rebuild, a bit of cleaning some touch up paint and it is sold as rebuilt.

You can keep any machine running forever the question is does it make economic sense to do so? I tend to do a lot of reading. I used to have a boat. I read the life of an outboard was 1,000 hours and was concerned. I figured for me that was ONLY 30 years. I golf cart I read the engine life of the gas Yamaha is about 40,000 miles.
We use ours 12 months a year. We do not have an odometer just an hour meter
Rough guess for us about 12 years. We bought the 10 inch wheels and bias ply tires
after 8 years, they are about half worn.

[nancymiller217@yahoo.com]

For a gas cart I would say the 2016 model Yamaha, they made this much more quiet that previous models. (Might be a 2017 model, we purchased in the fall of 2016). The added quietness is a very nice feature. You can have conversations with the person sitting next to you while driving.


2017 model is when Quietech became available. If you go older than that, get an EFI rather than carbuerated. I think it was easier to us to decide price range we were comfortable with then look at what was available for that.

When buying used check prices around. Some people base their prices on retail value, but most dealers check and repair before reselling, so used from a dealer may arguably be in better shape.

[toeser]

What is everyone’s experience with what year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?
I know it depends on a lot of factors, but if you were doing a search, and there was a field for the oldest you would buy, what year (is it 2010, 2005, etc)?
I guess it might depend on gas vs electric?

Thanks

Mine is a Yamaha gas 2009 and it's in great condition. I bought it used from a woman in her 80's who rarely drove it, and I rarely drive it (non-golfer), so it's probably in nearly as good condition as it was in 2009. The key is wear and tear, not age. P.S. It just sits for five months each year (snowbird) and when I return it has always started within 3 seconds.

[Villagesgal]

Bought our 2002 Yamaha gas cart new from a dealer in Ocala, have it serviced yearly, other than 3 sets of new tires, and of course battery every 4 years or so, never had a day of trouble with it and it runs quieter than many new gas carts. My point here is that any well maintained gas Yamaha cart should be just fine. Maintenance is the really important factor, not age.

[dewilson58]

My point here is that any well maintained gas Yamaha cart should be just fine. Maintenance is the really important factor, not age.
:bigbow:
Like an auto.

[Topspinmo]

The motors in electric golf carts tend to last quite a bit longer than gas motors. My 2002 Club Car is still running great.

But you’ll replace enough batteries to buy 3 gas engines. I have never had gas engine in anything fail. It’s all in routine maintenance. The one’s that failed are the ones that don’t chance oil or don’t know where dip stick is.

[Hacker1]

Mine is a 2001 still chugging merrily along on gas. My clever husband sees to it and it has been carefully maintained. Four seater. Bought it used in 2006. Never, ever, quit and abandoned me along the road like some electric ones do.

And some gas ones do also....lol

[Joanne19335]

same as an auto, no magical age

I agree. I would want to know the mileage and see what maintenance had been done on a regular basis. Some people don’t schedule maintenance until something goes wrong. Not good.

[Arctic Fox]

What year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?

Mrs Fox's EZGO is over 20 years old and still running like a dream. We bought it "lightly used" ten years ago and replaced the batteries (twice) when they reached six years old.

The frame is solid so we expect to be using it many years from now.

[Shutterbug]

What is everyone’s experience with what year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?
I know it depends on a lot of factors, but if you were doing a search, and there was a field for the oldest you would buy, what year (is it 2010, 2005, etc)?
I guess it might depend on gas vs electric?

Thanks

I had a 1992 Club Car that ran great. However, I sold it and bought a 2010 Par Car...big mistake. Do not buy a Par Car...used or new.

[Fredman]

Don’t know when u bought the 2011 but the price seems high

[Fredman]

I bought a 2011 Yamaha gas golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts because I was on a budget. They serviced it and guaranteed it. I have had no problems. The problem is the web site does show The inventory or prices or years. They sales people can sort by price and year. I called back every few days and asked for the cheapest and oldest. I found one in good condition in about ten days for $5,300 out the door. Sometimes you have to go to different stores to see them. The service on mine included oil change, high speed gear, tires, windshield, wheels... It includes a loaner.

Depending when you bought it the price seems high

[biker1]

Regarding golf cart engine life, it will depend a lot on maintenance. Yamaha does warranty their golf cart engines for 5000 hours if you use Yamalube and follow their maintenance schedule. For most people, this will be around 80K miles. I doubt many people will keep a cart that long but the message is that I doubt engine life will be an issue if you do the recommended maintenance.

I figured for me that was ONLY 30 years. I golf cart I read the engine life of the gas Yamaha is about 40,000 miles.
We use ours 12 months a year.

[dtennent]

We have 2 Par Car golf carts. 2014 and 2016 (No longer being made.) Couple of comments.
1) Both carts look like they are new. I live in Osceola Hills and drive to the courses at the North end of TV and never have had a problem. But...I don't have a stereo or a heater which will reduce the range.
2) While I replaced with the batteries on the 2014 cart with lead acid, I will probably go with lithium in the future.
3) When looking at electric carts, buy one that is 48 volt system. Some of the older ones were 36 volt systems and don't have the power and the distance of a 48 volt system - which is why the lore often says that electric carts don't have the ability to go the distance.

Good luck and have fun!

[kayak]

I have a 1999 electric Club Car. A mechanic told me that 1995-2000 were the best years for Club Cars. He also said if you have a problem they are worth fixing and the parts are getting cheaper. You can keep them forever (figure of speech I would imagine). I agree. I later bought a 2001 electric Club Car as a second golf cart. I will also have it for a long long time.

[JeffJane]

2017 - 2 SEAT YAMAHA CAR W/ SLEEKLINE CAB
• 2017 Yamaha 2 seat golf car with UPGRADES
• PAINT UPGRADE- VIPER RED body with matching roof
• Black SLEEKLINE cab.
• ADJUSTABLE LUXURY TEXAS SPORSTER SEATS are black & red, coordinating well with the car colors, with lumbar support & deluxe arm rests.
• The SLEEKLINE hard side cab adapts quickly and easily to weather conditions…no more rolling those canvas sides up and down for short rainstorms.
• Cab’s rear window is solid split plexiglass, easy to open and close.
• FLIP WINDSHIELD for better visibility
• Cab doors are split, so you open just the bottom for increased ventilation during rainstorms, etc. This feature also allows you to put groceries on the floorboard without worrying about them falling out while leaving the top door portion open for ventilation.
• Multi-function speedometer, LED headlights for increased night vision, LED turn signal indicators inside cart
• Custom wheels on NEW Tires
• Front overhead shelf, sand bottle mounted on rear, outside
• FRONT SAFETY LED package & SIDE MARKERS makes your car highly visible and increases your safety 24/7
• 2 USB ports
• Removable fan with two speeds for summer days
• Handy door closure system holds door tight for chilly days.
• Car has been maintained at regular service intervals
• POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY until 2022
• Car has always been stored in the garage, and it is a nonsmoker car
• Car is loaded with extra features and is yours for $11,900
• Located just north of 44 in Osceola Hills Soaring Eagle.
• Call or text Jeff AT 419 305 9107

[Golf Cart Tire Supply]

A couple things to consider:

1. Will you be buying Gas or Electric?
2. Will you be modifying the cart at all?
3. How well has the cart been maintained?

If you are going GAS: We recommend going fuel injected. And if you can afford it, choose the Yamaha QuieTech powered models (very quiet gas carts).

If you are going ELECTRIC: Any cart will do, as long as maintained well.

If you will be adding modifications to your cart (rear seat, windshield, etc.), then going with a cart that is a few years older is best (like 2010-2016). The reason is, the longer a cart is on the market the more aftermarket Golf Cart Accessories (https://www.golfcarttiresupply.com/golf-cart-accessories/) that will have been produced for it. Many newer carts don't have lift kits or other accessories available for them.

Our personal shop cart is a 2007 EZGO TXT that is maintained like new. Lots of mods available from all aftermarket manufacturers for it.

Here is a golf cart buyer's guide we also hope helps: Buying the Best Golf Cart - Buyer's Guide | GCTS (https://www.golfcarttiresupply.com/buying-the-best-golf-cart-buyers-guide/)