Evolution Golf Carts

[spofford]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

[UpNorth]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

DC motor instead of AC motor. DC motors are known to lose torque going uphil. Wouldn't you prefer a AC "Tesla" motor rather than a DC "Edison" motor anyway?

[tophcfa]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

My impression is the same as for any cart that is not a Yamaha Quiet Tech, big mistake. Why buy anything that is not time proven to be the best option available? Just take a look around at what is hands down the most popular choice out there.

[unialimon]

My impression is the same as for any cart that is not a Yamaha Quiet Tech, big mistake. Why buy anything that is not time proven to be the best option available? Just take a look around at what is hands down the most popular choice out there.

I must have misunderstood the question.
So YOU own an Evolution cart but think Yamaha is better?

[tophcfa]

I must have misunderstood the question.
So YOU own an Evolution cart but think Yamaha is better?

You’re correct, you did misunderstand the OP’s question. The OP asked what are peoples impressions of the Evolution Golf Cart, nothing was stated about what cart one owned, if any. I’m guessing you have impressions about some things regardless of ownership interests? In fact, not owning something could be a reflection of one’s impressions regarding it.

[unialimon]

You’re correct, you did misunderstand the OP’s question. The OP asked what are peoples impressions of the Evolution Golf Cart, nothing was stated about what cart one owned, if any. I’m guessing you have impressions about some things regardless of ownership interests? In fact, not owning something could be a reflection of one’s impressions regarding it.

But you did not give an impression on the Evolution golf cart, seemed more like your impression of Yamaha golf cart.

[srswans]

Sat in one but didn’t like the seats.

[EatthMama]

I have had an Evolution for about a year now, and I absolutely love it. I haven’t noticed any problems going uphill, as a previous poster suggested. A couple of things to note:
1. This golf cart is really big, and doesn’t fit well in a golf cart garage. I have a 2 car garage, being single, it’s no problem for me, but just be aware.
2. Yesterday at the dog park, I spoke to someone who had just had one delivered from Discount Golf Carts on 466. According to that person, the cart was delivered absolutely filthy, and it was making a humming sound so loudly that she could not hear the stereo. You may want to steer clear of that dealership and go to Ocala instead.
Hope this helps������

[thevillages2013]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

IMO 50% of the villagers I see daily wouldn’t fit in one without greasing up

[RoyCooper]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

I test drove one about a month ago.
My impressions:
Build quality - meh
Size - with upgraded seats my knees hit the steering wheel
Audio - sounded like AM transistor radio circa 1972
Noise - quiet - nice
Range - heard from friends they get 60 miles - not bad
Torque - expected more - but ok
Price - seemed inline with the quality

[12561323]

Golf cart runs great. Warranty on the battery is 7 years. Drive with caution when driving thru the tunnels. Stay towards the center line, this cart is higher than most and will rub on the top.

[imalowany]

I’ve had the 2+2 pro for almost a year now and let me just say that most of what you see in these forums about Electric carts are wrong. These are lithium battery last easily 60 miles. I’ve driven it from one end of the villages to the other a couple of times now and still had over 60% charge on each trip. That’s an hour each way and never an issue. My only issue is that Village Discount Golf Cart limits the cart top speed to 20. No other dealer does that. I’ve asked them. To increase it you have to take the cart to another dealer for the software upgrade (note only the plus models can go to 25). Can you imagine a car dealer limiting the car to 55? Sits are fine although not the captain style chairs aren’t available and you made want to get the extra lighting around the cart for safety at night - something that again Village Discount Golf cart doesn’t offer that others dealers do. Magic lights does a great job for $400. All in all a much better value than any Yamaha golf cart as I paid around $12,400 for the cart including the lights. Yamaha would’ve been $3-4k higher than that and would require annual maintenance and gas something that evolution doesn’t. I would get an evolution card anywhere other than village discount golf carts

[dewilson58]

I test drove one about a month ago.
My impressions:
Build quality - meh
Size - with upgraded seats my knees hit the steering wheel
Audio - sounded like AM transistor radio circa 1972
Noise - quiet - nice
Range - heard from friends they get 60 miles - not bad
Torque - expected more - but ok
Price - seemed inline with the quality

Forgot.................Rough Ride.

[flyboyl39]

My impression is the same as for any cart that is not a Yamaha Quiet Tech, big mistake. Why buy anything that is not time proven to be the best option available? Just take a look around at what is hands down the most popular choice out there.

Perhaps the fact that there are 3 Yamaha golf cart outlets in prime locations in the villages has something to do with how many are sold here. To assume they are the best is a stretch. Club car would certainly disagree with that assumption for sure.

[Gunny2403]

Simply not interested in a Cart with connections to China.

[rogerrice60]

I've had mine for about a year.
Love it, no gas fumes & very quiet. Top speed around 25 if wind is from back..
Love it.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

One point I never hear is BUYING AMERICAN.
Sure, they fly the flag from their Japanese cart to let me know just how patriotic they really are.

[Proveone]

Go on youtube. There is a lot of negative experience on Evolution golf carts. If you get an electric cart get an AC not a DC. Better power going uphill with AC and longer range.

[bill72]

There is also a evolution cart dealer in wildwood

[bill72]

I have had an Evolution for about a year now, and I absolutely love it. I haven’t noticed any problems going uphill, as a previous poster suggested. A couple of things to note:
1. This golf cart is really big, and doesn’t fit well in a golf cart garage. I have a 2 car garage, being single, it’s no problem for me, but just be aware.
2. Yesterday at the dog park, I spoke to someone who had just had one delivered from Discount Golf Carts on 466. According to that person, the cart was delivered absolutely filthy, and it was making a humming sound so loudly that she could not hear the stereo. You may want to steer clear of that dealership and go to Ocala instead.
Hope this helps������
There is also a evolution cart dealer in wildwood

[Travelhunter123]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

Try the Atomic golf carts, great ride, air conditioned, heated, windshield wipers and very safe and comfortable

[mike1946]

I bought a re-manufactured Yamaha Gas cart in 2002 from Villages Golf Carts - it was just on $4,000 with a few upgrades - it was originally manufactured in 1999 and is a G16 model... i've still got it today runs as sweet as a nut ... Converted it to a 4 seat + pick-up conversion kit from Buggies Unlimited for $800 and did the job myself. Conversion also gives you a square standard hitch receiver which I use for a golf club holder but could also be used for a small trailer - get it servced about every 2-3 years. I think I bought well ...my criteria was to look at what most Country Clubs use for their fleets ...Guess what !! Yamaha.

[drcar41@aol.com]

We bought one in October and have found it to be a very good cart. Has excellent range, charges quickly, keeps speed up going uphill, very quiet and smooth riding.

[tophcfa]

Try the Atomic golf carts, great ride, air conditioned, heated, windshield wipers and very safe and comfortable

I’m having a hard time understanding those things. Everything mentioned above is already available in both my wife’s car and my truck. If we are looking for those creature comforts we drive one of those. To us, the golf cart experience is something different than what our car/truck offers. We love the simplistic breeze blowing in your face, open air, easy to get in and out of doorless experience offered by a traditional golf cart. To each his or her own I guess?

[Joezfla]

Rear end leaks and they won't fix it!!!!! It's been in the shop 3 times and still leaks!!!!

[mirish54@gmail.com]

I have an Evolution. Bought 2021 lightly used. Build quality probably less than Yamaha, but your buying Lithium Battery which has advantages IMHO. Low profile tires look cool but are a little bumpy. I switched out to Yamaha Lode Stars…seems to help. I’ve also ordered Captains chairs, my wife has back problems. When I replaced tires it does accelerate to 21 mph, then backs down to 20 mph. The Yamaha’s all seem to run 22 to 25 mph so I would like to know who could assist me in increasing speed, at least to 22 mph or so. They come from the factory set to run 25 to 26 mph. All in all not a bad cart. Convenience of electric is extremely handy. Again…if anybody has knowledge of who could speed up cart just a little…I’d appreciate it. Thanks

[talonip]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?
Go for the STAR EV. See Don at Spanish springs

[Michael G.]

One point I never hear is BUYING AMERICAN.
Sure, they fly the flag from their Japanese cart to let me know just how patriotic they really are.

HA! HA! Welcome to the good old USA.
There's no patriotism in 80% of the products you buy that are produced in this country.

Harley Davidson motorcycle owners for years always brag about how their cycles and parts were 100% American made.
NOT SO, never was true.

[tjdmlhw]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

We looked at the Evolution at 2 different dealerships last year and in both cases the salesmen reminded me of pushy used car dealers. We walked away from both and ended up with a rebuilt Yamaha Quite Tech. We are very pleased with it.

[JTLoehnert]

I’ve had one for a year, love it. Powerful 180amp motor powers it up any grade. I can go 70 miles on charge. It’s quiet, doesn’t smell, pretty much zero maintenance. It was detailed when delivered. No complaints with it at all.

[DAVES]

DC motor instead of AC motor. DC motors are known to lose torque going uphil. Wouldn't you prefer a AC "Tesla" motor rather than a DC "Edison" motor anyway?

It is far more than that. What you are calling a DC motor is a brush type motor. It is a universal motor and will run on AC or DC power. The brushless motor runs on AC.
None of this is new. What is new is far more efficient electronic ways to covert DC, battery power to AC alternating current. Far as Edison verses Tesla the duel was Edison vs Westinghouse. Current is better transported at high voltage. AC can step up and down the voltage with a simple transformer. DC thus is limited to short transmission. Edison set up his first generators in down town Manhattan and was still supplying DC current to businesses in lower manhattan. I spoke to a guy working on an elevator in downtown manhattan about 15 years ago. I asked what he was doing. He was converting that elevator from DC to AC. So 15 years ago you could still purchase DC current in lower Manhattan. My uncle's printing plant was running on DC. His equipment was bought by my grandfather. The best printing presses were made in Germany??? Heidelberg-I think. I expect they were purchased before WWII. Perhaps, because of foreign competition, because of obsolete equipment the plant went out of business. The equipment, still working was sold as scrap.

[fdpaq0580]

Rear end leaks and they won't fix it!!!!! It's been in the shop 3 times and still leaks!!!!

Diaper it?
Seriously, what cart and what shop is unable or unwilling to help you. Want to avoid them if I have a problem with mine. Also, may want to find an independent cart repair shop. Good luck.

[DAVES]

But you did not give an impression on the Evolution golf cart, seemed more like your impression of Yamaha golf cart.

Some people will argue about anything. There is no such thing as perfect choices. There are many good choices and of course some bad ones.

My opinion any complex expensive, device, in this case a golf cart, you will need parts and service. Yamaha, there is no problem getting parts or service from multiple places that are close by.

We currently own a Yamaha 2013 EFI. So far, it is 9 years old. It is fine. I will not be planning on replacing it for about TEN MORE YEARS. By then what is NEW now will be Ten years out of date. I may not last till the ten year from now models come out.

[fdpaq0580]

Some people will argue about anything.
I may not last till the ten year from now models come out.

What a lousy attitude. Of course you will.
😀👍👍

[DAVES]

Diaper it?
Seriously, what cart and what shop is unable or unwilling to help you. Want to avoid them if I have a problem with mine. Also, may want to find an independent cart repair shop. Good luck.

All of these types of one line posts are not the whole story. Anything can be fixed. Often we speak to a repairperson. Perhaps, skilled in repair but communication is another skill altogether. An oil leak. Easy and cheap. If it is a gasket you check for lose bolts. If that does not work you need to take it apart. Measure if the parts are flat. Perhaps machine the parts to be flat and put it back together. Sometimes it is wiser to replace the assembly. The mechanic, perhaps, decided the customer does not understand, is not in the mood to understand. I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. Beware we usually get one side to a story. These posts. One saying I did not realize I AM WRONG is rare indeed.

[DAVES]

What a lousy attitude. Of course you will.
😀👍👍

Perhaps, but you can buy a golf cart with a warranty. Not offered on humans last I checked.

[fdpaq0580]

Perhaps, but you can buy a golf cart with a warranty. Not offered on humans last I checked.

Warranty? You don't need no stinkin' warranty. Just keep waking up in the morning? You can do it?

[DAVES]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

Read my several posts on this subject. Not to repeat what I have already said.
A quick look. Parts are made in China and assembled in California. This is done to possibly save the cost of shipping completed carts, perhaps to support an American parts supplier. In any case it is a business decision. I expect they advertise assembled in the United States.

Their ad says LIMITED five year warranty on the Lithium Battery. I would read that carefully before a purchase. What does LIMITED MEAN. Warranty? We all are aware of Tire warranties. They are based on LIST PRICE, no one pays list price for tires and then on received wear. Often using the math when you have an issue a 50,000 mile warranty has depreciating value and it loses any real value at far less than the advertised 50,000 mile warranty. These batteries are same as a lead acid battery several cells piled together to achieve the desired voltage. Warranty on the battery. I suspect they can and do replace cells in the total pile of cells to achieve the voltage.
It is the same as we all tend to do. You have a 10 bulb chandelier. One bulb blows, so you climb up the ladder and change that one bulb. The next week another blows, they all have the same use on them. It is the same in a battery.

[Regorp]

DC motor instead of AC motor. DC motors are known to lose torque going uphil. Wouldn't you prefer a AC "Tesla" motor rather than a DC "Edison" motor anyway?

Watch movie called The Current War about Edison and Tesla competing for electric domination.

[Freeda]

We love ours!! Have had it for over six months and are thrilled with it; looks great, very comfortable seating, very quiet, smooth operating, runs for 80 miles on a full charge.

[fcgiii]

Simply not interested in a Cart with connections to China.

They all have connections to China.

[greendom]

We have both a 2021 & 2022 EVoLUTION 4 seater lithium golf carts purchased new from Village Discount Golf cars. We live as far south as you can get - right now from 44 and travel frequently all the way north with plenty of juice left upon our return. No length issues in our garage. We highly recommend checking out Pops Customz. Art installed a few extras for us - smooth ride kit, pedal adapter (for shorter folks) and windshield stabilizer. He comes to us and has done work for several of our neighbors - Yamaha owners too. We have the club holders on the back of both and did upgrade the front seats on the one cart for more comfort and moveable arm rests. I guess you could say we are extremely satisfied with our ownership. Our large extended family is thrilled when they visit us too!

[DAVES]

Golf cart runs great. Warranty on the battery is 7 years. Drive with caution when driving thru the tunnels. Stay towards the center line, this cart is higher than most and will rub on the top.

I looked at their ad and it says FIVE YEARS for battery warranty.

[jimjamuser]

DC motor instead of AC motor. DC motors are known to lose torque going uphil. Wouldn't you prefer a AC "Tesla" motor rather than a DC "Edison" motor anyway?
DC motors are known to have greater torque than AC motors. I was an electrician in a steel mill for a while. The motors weighed around 500 lbs and were all DC. So, a DC golf cart motor should not have any problem going up a steep hill. AC motors used in homes on 120 volt AC are known to spin fast, but have low torque.

[tvbound]

Perhaps the fact that there are 3 Yamaha golf cart outlets in prime locations in the villages has something to do with how many are sold here. To assume they are the best is a stretch. Club car would certainly disagree with that assumption for sure.

I agree. If TV sold Club Cars (or EZGo) instead of Yamaha, I would bet that the gas Club Car would be the most popular - "hands down." Given that we will be more than satisfied with the range of an electric cart, we'll be buying one of those instead of a gas cart.

[tophcfa]

Perhaps the fact that there are 3 Yamaha golf cart outlets in prime locations in the villages has something to do with how many are sold here. To assume they are the best is a stretch. Club car would certainly disagree with that assumption for sure.

I agree. If TV sold Club Cars (or EZGo) instead of Yamaha, I would bet that the gas Club Car would be the most popular - "hands down." Given that we will be more than satisfied with the range of an electric cart, we'll be buying one of those instead of a gas cart.

Hmmmm, the Villages golf cart dealers sell all three, Yamaha, EzGo, and Club Car. My wife’s cart is a gas Club Car we bought new from them and mine is a Yamaha. The last loaner they gave me during routine service was an EzGo. Despite the fact that they sell all three brands, one is clearly the hands down favorite among Villagers.

[tvbound]

Hmmmm, the Villages golf cart dealers sell all three, Yamaha, EzGo, and Club Car. My wife’s cart is a gas Club Car we bought new from them and mine is a Yamaha. The last loaner they gave me during routine service was an EzGo. Despite the fact that they sell all three brands, one is clearly the hands down favorite among Villagers.

OK, I stand corrected. The one shop we looked at (up by Spanish Springs) seemed to only have new Yamahas on the showroom floor, with some used other brands.

[JMintzer]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

You say you want an Evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world... :icon_wink:

[JMintzer]

OK, I stand corrected. The one shop we looked at (up by Spanish Springs) seemed to only have new Yamahas on the showroom floor, with some used other brands.

I'm surprised they had -any- new models actually for sale on the showroom floor...

[tophcfa]

OK, I stand corrected. The one shop we looked at (up by Spanish Springs) seemed to only have new Yamahas on the showroom floor, with some used other brands.

They tend to carry what is in high demand, but sell all three brands.

[Packer Fan]

They all have connections to China.

Amen, I am sure that a lot of the parts on the Yamaha come from China also. So do those in EZ-Go and Club Car.

I don't know where some people get their information, but I can probably name a lot of the parts from Asia without even looking under the seat. :)

[DARFAP]

Evolution carts are AC drive.

[photo1902]

OK, I stand corrected. The one shop we looked at (up by Spanish Springs) seemed to only have new Yamahas on the showroom floor, with some used other brands.

They’re selling the other brands because they can get enough Yamahas to meet the demand

[Bay Kid]

They’re selling the other brands because they can get enough Yamahas to meet the demand

They are selling anything they can find to sell. Feel sorry for the salesmen.

[GpaVader]

FWIW: I've been an owner of one since November and have been very happy with it. When we arrived in October, we looked at Gas vs Electric then and we went with electric because there were no gas stations on the south side of the turnpike. They were also $6k more than the Evolution and had a shorter warranty. I would have much preferred to buy in Magnolia Plaza but I have one and so do many of my neighbors. My only complaint was the noise generator but once I found the connector for that, it don't have to listen to it any more. I also get well more than 60 miles to charge and we have a 4 seater...

I will admit to my frustrations with Village Discount Golf and unlocking the speed on the cart but I can live with it.

[Catalina36]

STAY WITH A YAMAHA!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE THE BEST, easy maintenance and parts are always available.

[Tbrazie]

Looking at buying Evolution Golf Cart, what are peoples impressions of them?

Love mine. They make ATVs so robust. Lithium Battery. No issues going uphill/
t

[gego3650]

STAY WITH A YAMAHA!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE THE BEST, easy maintenance and parts are always available.

the villages has carts sitting for months because no parts