Gas or Electric Carts

[Kitria]

Ok. Have at it here.

you can also discuss 2 or 4 seaters. I was going to buy a 4 seater for company. My golf cart garage wasn't deep enough for one. So, before you buy, make sure wherevever you are parking it is deep enough.

Our 2 seater electric can go from the Orange Blossom Hills historical side to Havanna golf course, go a round of 18 holes, stop in Sumter Landing, and get back home with juice to spare. Think about your trips. Will you be likely to want to travel more than an hour to get to where you want to go using your golf cart? Or will you use your car for those longish trips?

Enough of me..what is your take?

[zcaveman]

I have an electric cart. I know that I can travel from my home in Marion county to the other end of TV. But why? That is a long trip when there are many golf courses within my reach. Personally I like to travel no more than 20-30 minutes to play golf. That excludes Mira Mesa, Chula Vista, Hilltop and Sliver Lake. Anything near past Palmer is also not on my list.

Maybe it is a personal thing - but I will not even think about it.

I will take a ride to Spanish Springs - 25 minutes. Never went to Sumter Landing. No interest.

[Barefoot]

I finally found a gardener who is willing to pull the weeds. ;D

(Just kidding, zcaveman, I know this post is about golf carts.)

[golfnut]

barefoot, you are baaaaaaaad.

[SteveFromNY]

I haven't bought a cart yet as I'm not moving into my house until next year. It's in Liberty Park, which is fairly close to Sumter Landing, fairly close to the new shopping center, but pretty far from Spanish Springs. One of the things I really like about TV is the great golf cart access to the stores and restaurants, as well as golf. It makes it all fun! And I've always liked to drive. So I picture my wife and I spending a lot of time in our golf cart.
That said, I'm leaning toward a gas cart, as I don't want to find myself wanting to use the cart but not being ablre to as it needs a charge. I know Al Gore will be annoyed, but I figure I'm using 1/4 of the gas I'd be using driving a car and that's what I'd be using if I lived elsewhere.

[larryfish]

It doesn't have anything to do with Al Gore...the stink and smell of the gas carts is objectionable to all the neighbors, because there is so much old gas...and people fail to put in high grade fuel (save 21 cents) If you plug in the electric cart whenever you come into the garage, and keep the batteries up (an automatic battery filler is very helpful, and inexpensive) you never run out of electric. After four years, I have never been anywhere where the electric would not take me...who would want to go fifty miles on a golf cart? By the way, you could run out of gas.

Electric is a much smoother ride also. gas is so herky jerky reverse is very uncomfortable. fishface

[SteveFromNY]

Thanks for the input and I will give it lots of thought before I buy one.

[jjdees]

What maintenance is needed on an electric besides the batteries?

[villages07]

Back to environmental considerations.... I assume the gas carts don't have any pollution/emissions control, so, I would think they must stink up the air (literally and environmentally). Any scientists or motor heads out there with an opinion? I know back in DC when we had code Red air quality, they asked people to curtail mowing grass with gas mowers until early or late in the day.

[villages07]

jj... filling batteries is only engine maintenance; otherwise, periodic brake checks, clean battery terminals, lube joints, etc. We had the vendor come out for 6 month checkup for about $50 just to be sure everything was wearing properly. Most motorheads could do much of the maintenance themselves. We are having to put water into the batteries about every 2 weeks now...in the cooler months (less miles too), more like 4-5 weeks.

[golfnut]

I have an electric cart and will probably buy a second cart once we retire, I hope to stick with electric because I do not like the noise or the smell of a gas cart, even the brand now ones stink. As v07 stated maintenance is easy, I bought a single point fill system for the batteries so I just plug a hose into a single connection on the batteries then stick the other end of the hose in a jug of distilled water squeeze a few times and I'm done, literally takes less than a minute.

[BETHPAGE BLACK]

Fishface....what is an automatic battery filler..how does it work? I purchased golf cart (electric) my last trip down and will be picking it up on my next trip in October. I'm still working not retired yet and the cart will sit unused while I'm working. I do have someone taking care of my home who will fill battery but I have a question, should the battery be charged even when not being used? Will the life of the battery be jeopardized by not using the cart. What advice can you give on the upkeep of a cart not used on a regular basis.

[jjdees]

Thanks for the info on the maintenance. I'll also add my 2 cents on the carts. Electric carts are a lot smoother than the gas ones that jerk and lurch. And, I' can't pass this one up.. Fishface, a name only a mother could love. I'm not a mother but fishface, I love it!

[zcaveman]

I have an electric cart. Every week I check the water levels in the battery cells. Every other week I torque the batterry nuts. Evey six months I have the cart guy come out and service the brakes and wheels and check the tire pressure.

Every four years (or so) you might need to replace the batteries. Check with your cart guy or call Spano to see if it is necessary.

[larryfish]

zxlbb...I believe golfnut is talking about the same system. It is inexpensive. The caps from your batteries are replaced with a cap that has a tube running back to a single main tube. You put the distilled please water into the system til the little wheel stops spinning.

USE OF THE CAR regularly makes it work better. If you let it set for a long time, it takes a week or so of run down and charge up to get it back to full strength. My brother has had batteries for eight years, and with proper maintenance, they will continue to work. People panic and replace the batteries, when all they need is to be used regularly.

Notice they are GOLF CARTS.

That means they are to be used for two or three sessions of five miles per day, and charged every night. They will give good service for years. My Club Car gets service complete every year, and gives us 10-15 miles every day...30 when we want it (uggh) with no failures. Now and then we get the opportunity to push or pull a gas machine to the repair shop. Ha Ha. Ours is smmmoooth running, does not smell, and does not break our neck when starting or going into reverse.

The poor folks who give up all the smoothness and joy of the quiet, inexpensive electric carts for the off chance that they may want to go 100 miles on their cart some day, really get misled by the sales staff who don't understand the joy of an electric golf car. Fishface

PS. We also have an 07 Toyota Camry Hybrid with continuously variable transmission. It is a comfortable electric golf car that goes up to 39 miles per hour before the gas motor kicks in. Gets 42 MPG on the road. Hmmmm. FISHFACE

[handieman]

???
Where are you guys buying these one point battery refill systems nearby the Villages?
Handie :joke:

[golfnut]

Bought my single point fill system on line here:
http://janwp.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=JANWP&Category_Code=BWS_GOLF
Very happy with it, quality is excellent.

[bestmickey]

I wish some of you folks would get the solar panels on your electric golf carts. Then you can tell me how they are. Selfish request you say? ::) Yup!

[ripwho]

bestmickey - go browse thru some of my earlier posts.. I made some reference to a company website that sold solar powered hybrid GC's... (I lost the website name)..

[togabill]

Electric is really the best choice no matter how you cut it.

Watch out for the sale pitches.

Enjoy Liberty Park. :welcome:

[bamafan]

What kind of cart: Club Car, E Z Go, Yamaha is the favored one. I too am leaning toward an electric. I like the Club Car Precedent or Yamaha Drive What do you think. Also how many have bought carts from The Villages golf cars. I tried to get them to work with me on price as I found a new yamaha for $1,000 less. they asked me who was going to Service it. I guessed they would since they are a Yamaha dealer. What is the concensus?

[Frangyomory]

We bought gas because it runs longer on a couple of gallons of gas; doesn't need to be plugged in to charge; we always make it home when we take a trip around the villages! I don't care for electric even though they are quieter than most gas carts. To each his own but for us, gas has worked great!!!!! We have never needed someone to help us get home because of a "low charge". :-*

[bamafan]

How many have you observed needing help to get home because of a low charge? What kind of gas car do you have?

[Frangyomory]

I just know how to drive it, sorry.!!!!!!! We bought it at the Villages Golf Carts and all I did was pick the colors, Joe decided which vehicle. Good luck.

[golfnut]

I personally am partial to Club Car (electric), I have 2 of them and have had no problems. If you look in the paper you'll find people just outside TV with some good prices. As far as service there are plenty of private individuals in TV that can do it for half the price.

[bamafan]

Golfnut I have looked a Club Cars here in Birmingham I really like the precedent. The dealer here had a 2005 that was priced reasonable. Problem is getting it to home in TV. I liked it cause it was 48V using only 4 12 volt batteries. Less weight.

[golfnut]

I know a lot of people who love their Precedent, 2005 was the first year I think, they had some issues with the early one's, may want to make sure they fixed any issues if you buy and haul.

[Frank2]

What kind of cart: Club Car, E Z Go, Yamaha is the favored one. I too am leaning toward an electric. I like the Club Car Precedent or Yamaha Drive What do you think. Also how many have bought carts from The Villages golf cars. I tried to get them to work with me on price as I found a new yamaha for $1,000 less. they asked me who was going to Service it. I guessed they would since they are a Yamaha dealer. What is the concensus?


Bama,,,when the Yamaha salesperson asked you who was going to service the discounted golf cart it was a veiled threat, meaning, "if you don't buy it here we may not service it."

Don't be intimidated, I think you are correct,,as they are the dealer for Yamaha they have an obligation to service it.

Good luck with your choice.

[bamafan]

Frank2 I told him that I guessed he would since he was a yamaha dealer. I thought about contacting Yamaha to see how they felt.

[Bubbalarry]

Just purchased and settle on Sept 10th in Hadley Village so I am going to be kind of in the middle of Sumter landing the new town square yet to be built and around Havana CC. So after visiting the villages cart store got the impression from the sales people that an electric cart would do the job, a gas cart would ensure coverage of all the areas where the electric cart would not.

So I walked around and saw a new Yamaha with the larger wheels and the extra gear for higher speeds. So I tested both the electric which had the regular wheels and the gas Yamaha.

Man did I feel a difference. No herky jerky like some have mentioned and the gas was such a more comfortable ride. Now I know the wheels had something to do with that, but it had more speed as well.

Now the wife loves to play at Chula Vista & Mira Mesa, and others in that area. With a gas cart I will not need to charge it overnight daily and make a weekly check up since we will only be around during the winter months anyway.

I would just take my trickle charger down plug it into a timer and keep the charge up for about a half hour each day. Then upon return have them service the vehicle each start of winter.

[Avista]

. but it had more speed as well.

Don't forget speed limit for carts is 20 MPH

[Frank2]

Frank2 I told him that I guessed he would since he was a yamaha dealer. I thought about contacting Yamaha to see how they felt.


Bama,

Contacting Yahama is a good idea. I would be interested in knowing the manufacturer's response to that question.

[Bubbalarry]

. but it had more speed as well.

Don't forget speed limit for carts is 20 MPH


Yes I will remember that as they pass me while I am going 20 MPH

[zcaveman]

bubbalarry - I agree. When these carts whiz past me when I have the "pedal to the metal" at 19.5 MPH, I get a little upset. But then you read about these carts flipping over and running over curbs and you wonder where the smarts are. These are not toys or ATV or Go-Karts. They are GOLF CARTS with certain mechanical restrictions - brakes, points of turnover, etc. They are our personal mode of transportation and they should be treated that way. I doubt if the crash dummies would drive these carts like some of the people (I want to say idiots but don't want to be chastised again) do.

[bestmickey]

bestmickey - go browse thru some of my earlier posts.. I made some reference to a company website that sold solar powered hybrid GC's... (I lost the website name)..


Thanks ripwho. :bigthumbsup: I have looked at the links that you and others have provided for the solar panels. I would like to hear some comments/recommendations from some of our friends from TOTV. I will trust our friends here more than I will trust the comments provided in retailers' websites.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Spent several days driving a gas golf cart during a recent visit to TV. Having spent half a lifetime NOT enjoying a lawn tractor mainly because of the noise, barring other considerations an electric golf cart is way preferable. But in truth we haven't explored yet those other considerations....

[cleanwater]

Our maintenance guy recommended Club car for electric and Yamaha for gas. He said these makes hold up the best. As far as battery life it depends on use. If you do a lot of long trips and take battery down to low charge you'll greatly shorten battery life. Need to frequently charge and minimize long distance situations to maximize battery life. 4-5 years is normal battery life in Villages with good care (topping off level, recharge every day)

[Happy Villager]

Our maintenance guy recommended Club car for electric and Yamaha for gas. He said these makes hold up the best. As far as battery life it depends on use. If you do a lot of long trips and take battery down to low charge you'll greatly shorten battery life. Need to frequently charge and minimize long distance situations to maximize battery life. 4-5 years is normal battery life in Villages with good care (topping off level, recharge every day)


We have a Club car and have used it every day for going on two years. It already appears we are not getting the distance that we originally did when new and with TV growing it is getting to be a problem. We do charge it over night to a full charge but we were told not to charge it in between trips each day because it would confuse the computer chip and then it wouldn't give a full charge. It is getting to the point where my husband is considering a gas cart which I am dreading due to the noise and gas odor.

[bamafan]

Happy Villager, We are considering buying a Club Car Precedent 48v electric. We were told about 40 miles on a charge. We were also told to plug it in when ever possible. Everything we have heard says that we should not drain the batteries to a real low point as this is what affects battery life. I appreciate your post and will look into the charging issue with club car. Do you like your Club Car otherwise, and approximatley how far do you go each day? Thanks

[Bubbalarry]

With all the talk about gas vs. electric can we get some responses about the golf cart sales office in Sumter Landing? Is it a good place to look for a purchase? Are they fair and reasonable with the prices?

Should buyers beware about any sale practices/pitches to look out for?

I saw a new Yamaha 2007 gas with the bigger wheels with a high speed extra gear for under $ 8500.00.
My freind from TV said its a good buy but I am somewhat leary after reading the replies in this thread.

Price is not a concern quality is.

[zcaveman]

For some of the posts - I was told by the Club Cart service to keep the cart plugged in when I wasn't using it. When I come home from a golf game or a trip, I plug the charger in and leave it. When the cart is charged, the charger shuts off. Simple as that.

When the batteries are new, the charge time is short. As the age increases, the charge takes longer. Every week I check the fluids and add as necessary - which is not every week. You buy a bottle of distilled water and a funnel and do what you have to do. This includes tightenng the battery nuts on a scheduled basis. This sounds like a lot of work but takes about 10 minutes every Saturday morning for me.

With gas, you have to keep a container of standby gas or drive down to the gas station every 200 miles (that is what I am told).

If you decide on gas verify what maintenance is required. I have some gas cart owners around me that cannot get them to run right and no one can figure out the problem. There is more things that can go wrong with a gas cart than an electric cart.

I am happy with electric and will not change. Maintenance is cheap and it costs me $450 every four years for batteries. Figure out the gas cost for four years and go from there.

[chuckinca]

What do you do with an electric when you are gone North (or West) for months during the summer?

[Cliff]

Don't rule out the EZGO carts folks. There is a sales office in TV and a factory showroom just North of TV. Prices are normally a bit lower than Club Car and Yamaha, and certainly lower than Par Car. I am on my third new EZGO since moving to FL in mid-90's. Loved each of them. Each was electric. I saw a new EZGO gas yesterday and noticed it was considerably quieter than most other carts. I'd like to say that it also did not smell as bad as the other gas carts but I did notice a faint odor when it passed. Just not as bad as most of the others. When you live in TV you will find that you get to hate the gas carts when they drive by your home in the early morning hours or late evening hours. Should get the NOISE cops after them. :cop: ::)

[Happy Villager]

Happy Villager, We are considering buying a Club Car Precedent 48v electric. We were told about 40 miles on a charge. We were also told to plug it in when ever possible. Everything we have heard says that we should not drain the batteries to a real low point as this is what affects battery life. I appreciate your post and will look into the charging issue with club car. Do you like your Club Car otherwise, and approximatley how far do you go each day? Thanks


Bama we will drive the cart anywhere from 20 - 30 miles on some days. Usually at most 20 miles daily. We do love our Club Car and it is a 48v electric. Also for an update the cart was just serviced this week and needed brake drums and pads along with the tune up. We are hoping to see the distance issue rectified and will let you know. Please share with us what you find out from Club Car re the charging issue. We go in and out so much during the day that we do not have time to plug the charger into the car and wait for it to get to a full charge. Our understanding, and what we were told by the maintenance person, that it has to come to a full charge and not interrupt the charge by unplugging and driving because of the computer that the car has.

[zcaveman]

I have unplugged my 2002 Club Cart before the full charge and the yellow light comes on and then goes out. I have never had a problem with not getting where I wanted to. I just looked at the Owner's manual and there is no caution as to not pulling the charger plug out while it is charging.

[Happy Villager]

I have unplugged my 2002 Club Cart before the full charge and the yellow light comes on and then goes out. I have never had a problem with not getting where I wanted to. I just looked at the Owner's manual and there is no caution as to not pulling the charger plug out while it is charging.


We have a 2004 Club Car and to tell you the truth we know nothing about them except for what the service tech tells us. Do you know if the 2002 has an onboard computer or do all golf carts have them? All our manual states is "We highly recommend charging your golf cart after EVERY use! This will help to maintain your batteries and will not hurt your cart because the charger shuts off automatically". Also there is a footnote on our paperwork stating: *Proper cart maintenance is the responsibility of the cart owner. Customers who request service calls under a warranty issue that are a result of improper maintenance (dry battery cells, overfilled battery cells, carts that have not been allowed to fully charge, etc.) will be charged a $45.00 fee. I hope Bama can get some answers for us.

[zcaveman]

My 2002 has an on-board computer. It has the IC circuitry which was new in 2002. They plug into the computer to check it out and get readings and they can tell me approximately how far I have gone (in revolutions or something).

Like I said earlier, I plug it in when I come home and leave it plugged in until I use it the next time. Could be tomorrow or the next day if I don't go golfing or to the store. With new batteries it charges fast. I check the water levels in the batteries weekly and tighten the cables every other week. Never had a problem.

I let Club Cart service it every six months. I have had the brakes replaced after 4 years and new batterries from Spano about the same time. Get new cables when you replace the batteries.