Golf Cart, 2 or 4 seats?

[MR&VAF]

I did search this, but I didn't come up with anything. So I apologize in advance if I'm repeating a topic.
We have been looking at new and used golf carts. We are wondering whether we should go with a 2 seat or 4 seat cart? We are not sure how much company we will have, but we expect our children and grandchildren a few times a year. Your thoughts please...

[BettyCrocked]

We're getting one of each. But if I had to choose only one, I'd go 4 seater.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We are going through the same thing. We have a cart but were thinking about a four seater for when we have company. We also thought that a cart with a flip rear seat might be nice for transporting stuff.
We are now considering buying a second two seater which seems like it would be a better idea. When my wife and I are doing different things and going in different directions, we would not have to use the car. When company comes we have four seats. It's just that the four seats would be on two different carts.

[DougB]

We decided to go with both. A two seater for when it just my wife and I and a four seater for when our grandkids or friends come up. If I had to choose between one or the other, I would have to go with a four seater just because it gives you the option of transporting more when needed.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Another angle: If you're only planning on having one cart and visitors will only come a few times a year, you could buy a 2-seater and rent either another 2-seater or a 4-seater when the visitors are in town.

We thought through the same thing as well and ended up buying a 2-seater. When friends come to visit, we all ride around together in the car.

Bill :)

[uujudy]

We thought a 4-seater was the way to go, but we have a villa, and a 4-seater wouldn't fit. We bought a 2-seater, and when we have company for an extended time we just rent another 2-seater. It works great! The guests LOVE driving their own golf cart, and the guys can go golfing while the gals go elsewhere. We don't all have to go together, or we can all go to the same place in 2 carts. The guests absolutely love having their own golf cart. Who knew?

[Kimandhim19981@gmail.com]

We had a 2 seater for the longest time, just bought an additional 4 seater, definitely recommend having both (if in your budget).

[rjm1cc]

Why not get a 4 seater? I would get the flip seat version. I do not see a down side unless you just don't like the looks.

[obxgal]

We thought a 4-seater was the way to go, but we have a villa, and a 4-seater wouldn't fit. We bought a 2-seater, and when we have company for an extended time we just rent another 2-seater. It works great! The guests LOVE driving their own golf cart, and the guys can go golfing while the gals go elsewhere. We don't all have to go together, or we can all go to the same place in 2 carts. The guests absolutely love having their own golf cart. Who knew?

That's exactly what we do. That way us girls can go shopping while the guys are golfing. We pay for the rental but have them put it in their name. That way we're not responsible if our guest have an accident.

[bluedog103]

If you get a four seater check out the way golf bags mount. Some 4 passenger carts are a pain in the a** for holding golf bags.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Why not get a 4 seater? I would get the flip seat version. I do not see a down side unless you just don't like the looks.

The extra weight reduces your mileage.

[Barefoot]

We have been looking at new and used golf carts. We are wondering whether we should go with a 2 seat or 4 seat cart? We are not sure how much company we will have, but we expect our children and grandchildren a few times a year. Your thoughts please...

Definitely a 4 seat cart.

[Sweetgirl]

Another angle: If you're only planning on having one cart and visitors will only come a few times a year, you could buy a 2-seater and rent either another 2-seater or a 4-seater when the visitors are in town.

We thought through the same thing as well and ended up buying a 2-seater. When friends come to visit, we all ride around together in the car.

We have both 2 & 4 seater Yamaha Gas Carts. I like Bill-N-Brillo's idea going with the 2 seater to start with and renting as needed. You are probably looking at having friends or family down for a week at a time? Check out a good rental place and the cost. Over time if you still think a 4 seater would be beneficial and you're ready to add, I'd recommend Carts & Clubs in Ocala http://www.cartsandclubsocala.com/ I'd also recommend not purchasing a 4 seater electric cart. We had the new 4 seater Club Cart. 4 adults going up hill not good. Quicker batter drain. Batteries lasted 3yrs before needing new. We ended up switching to gas and are very happy. Good Luck to you.

[Golfingnut]

One cart = 4 seater
Two cart = one of each

[MR&VAF]

Thanks for all your great replies. Keep them coming. We originally thought we would buy electric but we have decided now that we will definitely be buying a gas one. Will the golf stores haggle with you like car sales people do? We are leaning towards buying right here at The Villages as well.

[Billyworld]

I would suggest a 4 seater. My neighbors get company and they always want to borrow a 4 seater. Why not just buy one? Also, when you go out to dinner with another couple it is really nice to ride together rather be followed by your friends.......... Just my thoughts on it.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

......Will the golf stores haggle with you like car sales people do? .........

No, not on new carts. There will be occasional promotions for some accessories at no cost, etc. But there's no "wheelin' and dealin' " on the pricing.

Bill :)

[bigallis1]

We are also doing our homework on what cart to buy.
Leaning toward a 4 seater with the flip seat and golf bag option.
Up in the air right now on gas vs electric.
Grandma and grampas carts has been recommended as one of the dealers to ck out.

[billethkid]

If I had to do it again I would get one of the newer ones that have a flip down/up seat that does not look bad at all.
Then when company comes get a rental.
Each to their own choice, but I, personally, can't justify driving around in a stretch 4 seater or having one of each for the occassional availability of visitors.

btk

[gjbl8114]

I did search this, but I didn't come up with anything. So I apologize in advance if I'm repeating a topic.
We have been looking at new and used golf carts. We are wondering whether we should go with a 2 seat or 4 seat cart? We are not sure how much company we will have, but we expect our children and grandchildren a few times a year. Your thoughts please...

Ummmmmmmmm!!!!! So many responses, so many variances. I wonder now if you really have a clue of what you should do? Consider this one - a combination of all said. Since you don't sit an extra dinner plate anticipating guests to show up for dinner, or make plans on a daily basis in anticipation of others becoming a part of your plan, it would appear that infrequent visitors might fit into this scheme of things.

I would suggest that your guests might be better suited driving a rental car when they visit, and would probably find it more appealing. I don't know about others, but have you ever experienced viewing on-coming traffic from the rear seat of a golf cart? It appears to me that many riders in the backseat of golf carts look scared to death facing on-coming traffic approaching them. And, don't forget, these are golf carts in a golf cart community, but basically designed for golfing. If you really want to haul more than two people around, use your auto. It's safer and absolutely more comfortable.....

[Sweetgirl]

Hi Mike & Val,

A Golf Cart purchase is tough. Makes, Gas, Electric, $$, 2 or 4 Seater? We went through our trial & errors and $ to get where we are today.

I do not know the % of people that own 2 carts in The Villages? I'm guessing everyone had 2 cars previously to becoming Villagers, so it just goes to reason having 2 carts ... seeing how it's the primary means of travel. Here you only need one car and for those that enjoy many of the different activities and clubs separate from their spouses, 2 carts. We have a 15 yrs old son, so we started out with the 4 seater. We do enjoy having guest stay with us, but also the ability for me to go to the pools or SHOPPING. At the same time, son & husband go do their thing (hit golf balls or pickleball) so we purchased the 2 seater as well. We prefer to take the 2 seater when ever possible...sort of like are you going to take the big station wagon or the smaller sports car if it's just the 2 of you. Our Yamaha 4 seater has heavier suspension due to the extra weight it can carry, thus not as smooth a ride as the 2 seater. The 4 seater is a very practical cart, but the majority of your time would having a 2 seater serve your needs? Renting a cart for guest. Then down the road you can decide what next. Again, so many choices.

[MR&VAF]

Thank you all for your replies. I think we are leaning towards a 2013 Gas with 4 seats and seat belts. Then maybe down the road we will buy one with 2 seats as well.

[MR&VAF]

Also, why would you buy gas over electric or electric over gas? We just want to make sure we are hearing the right stories from the sales people. We were told the new 2013s gas ones were clean burning, meaning less exhaust. We are also concerned about battery life in an electric cart. How many miles can you travel on batteries? Do the electric ones have enough power for 4 people?

[Barefoot]

We have a four-seater electric Columbia Par Car. Par Cars are known for their range, which is why we bought it. We can golf and go to dinner and the indicator shows we still have lots of battery left. I've sat in the back seat of a friend's gas cart, and all I can say is .. never again, the fumes were awful!

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I did search this, but I didn't come up with anything. So I apologize in advance if I'm repeating a topic.
We have been looking at new and used golf carts. We are wondering whether we should go with a 2 seat or 4 seat cart? We are not sure how much company we will have, but we expect our children and grandchildren a few times a year. Your thoughts please...

One of each is the way we went