Golf Car Opinions

[mbikowski]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

[ladydoc]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

I can not address the Club Car because hubby was insistent on the Yamaha gas cart. As long as he let me order it in purple, I was happy! But seriously, I can tell you that it appears that most of the carts we see getting towed are the electric ones. He wanted gas because he understands gas vehicles and felt that the range in distance would be greater in a gas cart. I don't know how true that is now that there are 8 battery electric carts. Everyone recommended Yamaha when we asked about gas cart recommendations. We have had our gas one since August and it has been perfect..no issues, no problems...no surprises. It really does, in the final analysis to personal preference. You would be fine with either one. And congrats on the house!! You will love it here.

[Golf-Tinker]

In my four years here, I have yet to see an electric cart being towed. Of course, electric carts have problems. For the most part, people (renters) forget to plug them in when they come home. It is not the carts with the problem, it is the owners (or renters ) who have not been properly introduced to what's required. The Villages Cart Stores continue this misconception of electric failure
for whatever reason.

[ladydoc]

In my four years here, I have yet to see an electric cart being towed. Of course, electric carts have problems. For the most part, people (renters) forget to plug them in when they come home. It is not the carts with the problem, it is the owners (or renters ) who have not been properly introduced to what's required. The Villages Cart Stores continue this misconception of electric failure
for whatever reason.

After a huge rain about 2 months ago we saw 6 electric carts being towed. I wonder why the difference between our seeing lots and you seeing none?

[Bosoxfan]

After a huge rain about 2 months ago we saw 6 electric carts being towed. I wonder why the difference between our seeing lots and you seeing none?

Sounds like you're insinuating rain & electric carts don't mix!How did you know the 6 carts you saw were electric ? Did you get out of your cart & check them out? I own an electric cart & wouldn't have a gas one if you paid for it & gave it to me!! We rented one for company & couldn't stand the noise ,smell & my throat was always dry from the fumes! IMHO

[captg]

:wave: Over the last 2 & 1/2 years in our Golf scramble group, I have seen electric golf carts fail at least 6 times. I have never seen a gas fail. This is out of a group of 40 carts.

[VillagesFlorida]

Sounds like you're insinuating rain & electric carts don't mix!How did you know the 6 carts you saw were electric ? Did you get out of your cart & check them out? I own an electric cart & wouldn't have a gas one if you paid for it & gave it to me!! We rented one for company & couldn't stand the noise ,smell & my throat was always dry from the fumes! IMHO

The cart you rented was probably not well maintained if it had this many issues. We have rented carts for our visitors that were obnoxious. We started with an electric cart and after 3 years of battery problems we went with gas. 10 years later we just recently purchased our second gas cart. We got used to the "noise", we never smell it except on a rare occasion when slowing in a tunnel, and our throats have never dried from the fumes (Because there are none). The choice of an electric or gas cart is a very personal one. For us, the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to a gas cart. I guess if one doesn't mind dealing with batteries (filling with water and cleaning the acid which invariably appears on the garage floor, forking over hundreds of $$ every few years for a set of new batteries....after you have pushed it home a few times) I say go for the electric cart.

[mokey]

I have a Club Car electric and a Yamaha gas. I did maint. for a living, so I keep on top of the electric as far as clean batteries and water in cells. That being said, I think for someone not up to this, gas is the way to go. Mainly check oil weekly and put gas in. Then once a year have serviced for filters and plug. Is the gas noisy? Yes Does it have a odor? yes, but only mildly. With the new electrics the range is very good, but you have to keep batteries watered and charged. You are going to get opinions both ways, and I think either will work for you. Club Car if electric and Yamaha if gas. The Yamaha engines are bullet proof. Buy what makes you happy and don't worry about what others think.

[rhredd1654]

My intent is not to get into a pi$$ing match with the gas cart owners, but I would never own one. Say what you want, but they are noisy and polluting. I am trying to do my part going "green". And yes, I also recycle. My choice was simple..I test drove both before buying, and I did not want my grandkids on the back end breathing carbon monoxide fumes. There, I've said it!

[woolman44]

I love my Club Car Precedent gas 4 seater. No problems at all. No slowing down going uphill.
Added plus, this cart is made in the USA! :eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both. ......

Both brands are excellent. Pros and cons to each but most of it really comes down to personal preference........kinda like Ford vs. Chevy with car manufacturers, for example.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either one.

Bill :)

[FMF Doc]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

Those being your choices I would go with Yamaha simply because you can drive it to the dealer if need be.

George

[zcaveman]

Those being your choices I would go with Yamaha simply because you can drive it to the dealer if need be.

George

Good reason. I had a Club Cart but they did have at home service which had to be scheduled. When I switched to EZGO, it was pick up service from the dealer on 27/441. Now I go to the dealership in Palm Plaza and get it serviced while I wait.

[collie1228]

Dick, I agree we should all be as "green" as is practicable, but you really can't legitimately say using an electric cart is particularly "green". You have to plug it in, and 54% of U.S electricity is produced by coal plants. A typical (500 megawatt) coal plant burns 1.4 million tons of coal each year. There are about 600 U.S. coal plants. Coal pollutes when it is mined, transported to the power plant, stored, and burned. And it has done a job on my Adirondacks over the past 100 years, damaging both plants and animals, damage that is still happening, albeit less so today. So I'm not a big fan of the electricity industry any more than you are of gas powered golf carts.

[mbikowski]

Thanks to all for your quick responses. Hopefully soon we can thank all of you in person.
I have been leaning towards the Yamaha gas vs club car. I believe the way "Carts and Clubs" build their Yamaha and their attention to details in the build make it more appealing.

Mike & Vera

[VillagesFlorida]

Thanks to all for your quick responses. Hopefully soon we can thank all of you in person.
I have been leaning towards the Yamaha gas vs club car. I believe the way "Carts and Clubs" build their Yamaha and their attention to details in the build make it more appealing.

Mike & Vera

Go with Carts and Clubs. You will not be disappointed. We bought our new Yamaha gas cart there about 2 months ago and we are so happy with the cart and with this particular Yamaha dealer. See you on the trails!

:gc:

[downeaster]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

As you can see, mbikowski, people get very emotional on this subject. Your post does not specify if you want comparisons between Club car gas and Yamaha gas. Folks here seem to assume you were asking about gas versus electric.

Important considerations. Smooth, quiet, odorless vs. noise, odor and not very smooth. Then range enters the picture. Electrics are limited. I also think there are some who just like the "feel" of gas as well as the assurance it will get them home.

Now, as to Club Car vs. Yamaha, in my opinion it is a toss up. Both good reliable carts. You might consider EZ-Go as well.

I am omitting mentioning the brand I own as I consider that immaterial for the purpose of answering your question.

Good luck and good shopping.

[mbikowski]

downeaster and all. Sorry about the confusion. The comparison was for club car gas and Yamaha gas. Again thanks for the information

[asilver]

How about the Par Car (electric cart)? Does anyone have experience with them as far as performance and reliability?

[l2ridehd]

It just never ends. The OP asked a very specific question. Gas Club Car or gas Yamaha. Notice the operative word being gas for both. Immediately it deteriorates to the age old gas vs electric debate. I swear the folks here will be arguing about that as they slide you into the box.

To the OP, if your decision is down to those two gas models, then the better choice is Yamaha. Their gas carts run forever will minimal issues.

[Loveithere]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

Yamaha would be my choice. My mechanic says that they will last forever.(with his help, of course. lol)

[kentucky blue]

:gc:Both brands are excellent. Pros and cons to each but most of it really comes down to personal preference........kinda like Ford vs. Chevy with car manufacturers, for example.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either one.

Bill :)

Electric Club Car came with purchase of house. Last month i bought a 2012 Yamaha gas..................................There is NO comparison,newer Yamaha models have a classic look, with very limited noise, and only gas i smell, is when i go through the tunnels.:gc:

[Barefoot]

How about the Par Car (electric cart)? Does anyone have experience with them as far as performance and reliability?

I've had an electric Par Car since 2007. No problems, absolutely reliable, it seems to go forever on a charge.

I've travelled behind gas carts through tunnels, the fumes are awful. To avoid noise and fumes, I would always choose electric.

[rhredd1654]

Dick, I agree we should all be as "green" as is practicable, but you really can't legitimately say using an electric cart is particularly "green". You have to plug it in, and 54% of U.S electricity is produced by coal plants. A typical (500 megawatt) coal plant burns 1.4 million tons of coal each year. There are about 600 U.S. coal plants. Coal pollutes when it is mined, transported to the power plant, stored, and burned. And it has done a job on my Adirondacks over the past 100 years, damaging both plants and animals, damage that is still happening, albeit less so today. So I'm not a big fan of the electricity industry any more than you are of gas powered golf carts.

Collie,
I can't control what others do, but I can control what I do. Driving a gas cart only increases my carbon footprint, whereas an electric doesn't. That's MY point.:pray:

[asilver]

I read discussions on Golf Cars mentioning the "big 3", Yamaha, Club Car, and EZGO, all the time. But I rarely hear about Par Car. I know they have a small lot on 441 comared to Yamaha's classy showrooms in TV, but I do see a fair amount of them in the squares. So I'd like to hear from Par Car owners, or anyone having direct knowledge of them. Are they reliable? How is the service? How do they hold up over time?

[charlie_marie]

You DO NOT want to be driving behind a gas golf cart especially in the tunnels . The smell and the noise are horrible . I really enjoy the quietness of our electric cart.

[Russ_Boston]

Collie,
I can't control what others do, but I can control what I do. Driving a gas cart only increases my carbon footprint, whereas an electric doesn't. That's MY point.:pray:

I think that was Collie's point as well. Yes, you do increase your carbon footprint by using any cart (gas or electric). Now you can debate which is worse, the coal used to create the electricity or the gas used to burn directly in the cart. But it's not like 100% for one and 0% for the other.

But the original question was Yamaha vs. Club Car. People I trust very much on this site, who have worked in the field, recommend Yamaha. So that will be my choice assuming I can find a good deal. Otherwise I'll go with whatever.

[mrdills]

One point everyone misses when talking about Gas Golf carts. I wonder how many Gas owners store a gas container in the garage? If you look at your insurance you will find that if you have a fire and they find out you stored a gas container in the garage for your golf cart you might be in deep trouble. :rant-rave:

[CMANN]

In my four years here, I have yet to see an electric cart being towed. Of course, electric carts have problems. For the most part, people (renters) forget to plug them in when they come home. It is not the carts with the problem, it is the owners (or renters ) who have not been properly introduced to what's required. The Villages Cart Stores continue this misconception of electric failure
for whatever reason.

You don't go out much, do you?

[CMANN]

I have narrowed my search to Club Car and Yamaha gas cars. Would like opinions on both.

I am moving down in February 2012 in Sanibel and want to feel confident with my choice of manufacturer.

Thanks for your help

Yamaha is supposed to be the most reliable. I would suggest buying it from The Villages people. It may cost a few bucks extra but the service is fantastic. Have a problem? Call your salesman.

Your choice of a gas cart is wise. There is no practical reason for an electric unless you are an ecco green type.

[Barefoot]

One point everyone misses when talking about Gas Golf carts. I wonder how many Gas owners store a gas container in the garage? If you look at your insurance you will find that if you have a fire and they find out you stored a gas container in the garage for your golf cart you might be in deep trouble. :rant-rave:

Important information.

[Shimpy]

[QUOTE=l2ridehd;419847]It just never ends. The OP asked a very specific question. Gas Club Car or gas Yamaha. Notice the operative word being gas for both. QUOTE]

You're 100% right. Yamaha or Club Car gas models. Opinions on electric, gas, nuclear, or whatever was not asked for.

[mbikowski]

Thank you Shimpy. I was just looking at two specific carts. I should have put the word"gas" in front of the names.

[JeffBorn]

Question was not asked however, I have had a Yamaha Gas cart from Carts and Clubs and in the past 8 months using frequently have only had to gas up 3 times. Gas smell not really an issue but I do find it noisy. When we had guests in borrowed In laws new Par Car electric and found the acceleration and quiet ride a pleasantly quiet experience. The ride was jittery and handling poor relative to my Yamaha. I have decided to purchase an electric in addition to our Gas cart. Today I was at all dealers except Par Car and EZ GO, most probably will go with electric Club Car from Grandma and GrandPas buggies which offer more choices and features than club car at similar price.

[Oren L Miller]

The 2012 Yamahas are fuel injected. This is a huge plus to me. I don't know why it took them so long to go to fuel injected. They are looking at a 35% reduction in gas consumption and a smoother start with less usage of a choke. We are coming down in January for our house closing and will take receipt of the first one on closing day. We are moving down at the end of February and we will take receipt of the second one. We are going to be frogs so we ordered the Curtis cabs. That is a whole different issue not to be confused with your originial issue. I like the way the turn signal lights are mounted in the cab on the 2012 on the Yamaha. The rear LED bar is standard and the black folding mirrors are a nice addition. I might be predjudiced but we did a lot of research. We found the ratings and reviews on the Yamahas to be superior.