Buying Golf Carts

[TimeForChange]

My wife and I will be moving to our new home in the "Village of Charlotte" in early August. I want to purchase one, perhaps two golf carts. I know I want one to be gas and the other for her can be either. I have owned a Club Car many years ago. I would like opinions on...

Gas vs Elec in TV
Club Car vs Yamaha or others
New vs reconditioned
Service contracts

Thanks to all for your opinions..:gc:

[Deerfly]

I have had a golf car mechanic tell me that Yamaha makes the best gas cart and another that told me Club Car does. Like picking a Ford or a Chevy. My best advice is shop around.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

A recent thread on this same topic:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/all-about-golf-carts-things-156/golf-carts-56223/

Bill :)

[George Bieniaszek]

I own a 2010 EZGO electric 4 seater and love it. It has the 4/12 volt battery configuration, which in my opinion gives the least amount of range (approx 35-40 miles). If I had to do it again, I would have it configured with 8/6 volt for better range.I have over 4500 trouble free miles on it.

Right now, The Villages Yamaha dealers are selling their remaining 2012 brand new carts for approx $8400. I think it is a great price considering that the 2013's are approx $1100 higher. The only difference is that the 12's have a carburator and the 13's are fuel injection. The FI models are supposed to get 20% better fuel mileage so figure 40 MPG vs 48 MPG. The $1100 will buy a lifetime of gasoline at 8 MPG less than the FI models.

Just some food for thought.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.......Right now, The Villages Yamaha dealers are selling their remaining 2012 brand new carts for approx $8400. I think it is a great price considering that the 2013's are approx $1100 higher. The only difference is that the 12's have a carburator and the 13's are fuel injection. The FI models are supposed to get 20% better fuel mileage so figure 40 MPG vs 48 MPG. The $1100 will buy a lifetime of gasoline at 8 MPG less than the FI models.

Just some food for thought.

George, I believe the early production 2012 Yamaha's were carbureted. They switched over to fuel injection mid-stream during the 2012 model year.

Bill :)

[George Bieniaszek]

Hi Bill!!
Yes, the 12's are carburated. Yamaha came out with a 12.5 model and that was their first FI car. The 13's are FI also with a couple of additional items included that are additional costs on the 12's and 12.5's like a speedometer and gas guage.

[jimbo2012]

I own a 2010 EZGO electric 4 seater and love it. It has the 4/12 volt battery configuration, which in my opinion gives the least amount of range (approx 35-40 miles). If I had to do it again, I would have it configured with 8/6 volt for better range.I have over 4500 trouble free miles on it.

Yes the 4/12's R a range issue, but you can but a good Club Car with 6/8's which is the standard config, for a little over $5,000 outside the bubble new.

The local dealers R higher $$, don't know why, I guess because they can get it.
Do a search online there R plenty out there.
I think the locals get $7,000 but they include about $500 worth of extras like signal and side curtains.

You can find good used Club Cars also 5-6 years old that can save U about half that money.

George, the 8/6 volt install is custom, it works well getting about 62 miles

or 20 miles extended over the 6/8 setup.

Another option available soon will be the addition of Solar on the roof, it will cost less than the conversion to an 8/6 volt setup and it is estimated 70+ miles.

:gc:

[Ad poster]

My wife and I will be moving to our new home in the "Village of Charlotte" in early August. I want to purchase one, perhaps two golf carts. I know I want one to be gas and the other for her can be either. I have owned a Club Car many years ago. I would like opinions on...

Gas vs Elec in TV
Club Car vs Yamaha or others
New vs reconditioned
Service contracts

Thanks to all for your opinions..:gc:
Timeforchange,

Not sure if this will help you or not but once you figure out what certain types you want.. a pretty good selection is on TheGolfCartGuide.com ...worth checking out and you can also list any cart your selling on for free... many of these carts are local to The Villages also even though it's a National site.. Hope it helps.. here is link:

New and used gas and electric golf carts for sale. (http://thegolfcartguide.com/index.php?page=index)

[hdh1470]

Look at ad poster that sells club cars,they are factory rebuilt.every thing is new but frame and maybe wiring,even serial no. to 2012.Price is very good.

[TimeForChange]

Thank you all.....see you soon.

[dstege]

Do a search on Talk of the Villages for "Yamaha Golf Cart for sale" It would make an excellent second cart for your wife! It is spotless, and has a lot of pep! When The Villages Golf Cars reconditions almost everything is new, including the motor.

[Vic&Judy]

As a new owner in TV (alas, still part-time), I've also been researching the ubiquitous and ongoing question of "electric or gas."

While my personal preference would be electric, our periods of absence from our new TV home are "driving" me towards a choice of a newer gas model, perhaps fuel-injected (I believe the new Yamahas are "fuelies."). My feeling is that with the fuel properly stabilized, the vehicle would be easier to maintain compared with electric models and the problems which accrue from long periods of nonuse.

Either way, I can't wait!!!!

Vic, Mount Sinai, LI &, proudly, TV

[asianthree]

one gas one electric, carts and clubs for the gas

[jonrogere]

There are a couple of incorrect statements in this thread that need correction. First, it is incorrect that Yamaha replaced carburetors with fuel injection. Fuel injection was added to the product line and BOTH carbs and FI will be available in the future. Some salesmen in the villages have been giving out the wrong information. Also, the price increase for 2013 versus 2012 is $100.00 from Yamaha. Any additional items like speedometers, etc are dealer level add-ons.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

To the FI vs. carb point:

From Yamaha's press release regarding their new fuel injection -

"Yamaha Golf-Car Company is pleased to announce the introduction of Electronic Fuel Injection as a standard feature for all Yamaha golf car based Personal Transportation Vehicles."

The entire press release - click on the 2nd one down the page:

Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Press Releases (http://www.yamahagolfcar.com/corporate/press_releases.aspx)

Perhaps they're still offering a carb on other versions of their vehicles. Or maybe it can be had as an option on the golf carts???

Bill :)