Gas or electric cart?

[leftyf]

We are getting ready to buy our first golf cart and are trying to decide if we should buy gas or electric. After reading several posts, it seems that the electric carts need to have the batteries replace about every 3 years at about $650. Is this correct? How much does the annual maintenance cost for a gas cart? One other thing, it seems like the Par Car is a very well built cart but just doesn't hold it's value. It seems like the Yamaha gas holds it's value the best.

I would like to see your opinions on this please.

[wwddww]

Sent a PM.

Gas is the only way to go for the Villages. You can go from Spanish Springs to Brownwood and NOT have to charge your batteries to get back.

[baustgen]

Gas is my preferance. $650 for batteries is low. Shop around for prices. Talk to your neighbors to see what is needed. Cost can run from $8000 to $12000 for a Yamaha gas depending on where you buy it and what you put on it. Gas cart maintenance is an oil change and spark plug replacement for $70.

[Carl in Tampa]

If you check out the carts sitting beside the path awaiting rescue you will find they are usually electric.

You will find people with strong opinions on both sides of this issue. I once had an electric which came with the purchase of the house.

I now have a gas Yahama.

Good luck on your decision making.

:gc:

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

:ohdear:

[2BNTV]

TV has gotten much bigger, so some people prefer to have a gas cart. With a 5 gallon tank, you should get 300 to 400 miles/tank.

Some prefer electric, as it doesn't have any smell but requires you be diligent in watching how much charge there is in a battery, before making a long trip. I would have a charge gauge installed as opposed to an idiot light, on the dash, so you have a much better idea of where your battery stands as for having a charge.

This has been long debated but you must decide what best suits your needs.

[Golfingnut]

Electric is the only way to go in TV. I have 3 year old batteries and can easily go from Brownwood to the VA clinic and back without a charge or the headache from the noise and fumes emitted from a gas cart. If you decide to go gas, get a Yamaha 2012 or newer with the fuel injection. They are a little less likely to cause cancer and neurological problems.

[redwitch]

Your facts are pretty accurate. Par Cars have the range but definitely do not hold their value -- a good Par Car is a joy to own; a bad one is the ultimate misery (and there seem to be more bad ones than good ones on the road here). Several mechanics in TV refuse to work on them; trade-in value is less than half of true value. If you're going gas, Yamaha is your best choice, Club is the #1 choice for electric here.

I have a gas cart -- little choice since I can easily drive from one of end of TV 2 or 3 times in one day if the need arises (and it frequently has).

Annual maintenance on a gas cart is at least an annual tune-up of $70 (every six months is better). It takes about $10 to fill the tank and, as was said, gives you a 300-mile range. Further repair depends on how old the cart is, how much it is used, etc. A new battery for a gas cart is around $125 (about every 5 years, it seems). The clutch going out is the biggest issue (have no idea of the price on that one -- have friends who give and install the clutch for me for free).

Good luck on your decision. Both gas and electric have pros and cons and folks are fans of one or the other, rarely both.

[Deerfly]

Another interesting fact: The Villages is a handy place to buy a new cart but you can buy one cheaper somewhere else. I saw a Yamaha (Gas or Electric) that you can buy in Kentucky and pay no sales tax and shipping is free.

[Challenger]

Used batteries are an environmental disaster. If your purpose for buying electric is your concern for the environment , consider all the impllications, including those that occur after use and retirement of the vehicle.

[ajbrown]

I have no idea about value of carts and resale. I buy an electric cart for about $2000 and I run them into the ground. The problem I for see with circa 2002 club cars is they they never stop running. I suspect I will sell one when I can get an EZGO RXV AC drive for less than $2500 to have some fun with.

I have no idea about gas carts, never had one, never worked on one. I always fixed my ride on mower so I suspect I could be trained. I understand why people own them.

Deep cycle batteries on the other hand I know something about, not a lot but enough to help. Everything about an electric cart is about usage, YOU the buyer need to define the usage. As an example if you buy a Club Car Precedent with 4-12v batteries and drive it 40 miles per day, the batteries may last 18 months. Use the same cart and only go 10 miles a day and they may last five years.

You will need some training for an electric cart as far as battery maintenance. It should take the average person about an hour to become an expert like me :a20:

How one budgets for batteries really depends on how well they maintain their pack and how deeply the pack is discharged daily as I mentioned above. I budget $250/year per pack.

My budget is a guess as I have only owned two packs from the beginning and they are both still operational. One of the packs will be four years old in Feb 2014 and still going strong. Not as strong as when young, but who is? When they were just over two years old I drove them 63 miles and still 47.6 volts in pack. It is less than 12 miles from Spanish Springs to Brownwood, I leave the math to you....

That pack is 8-6v batteries and cost $770.

You will read alot of silly information on this site about electric carts and range, so you have to dig a bit to get some facts. Good luck!

[2BNTV]

I am in the process of having my 2006 Club Cart,(electric), refurbished by Sta-Rite Golf Carts store, ("frank7" on TOTV).

I upgraded my cart, from 4-12 volt batteries to 8-6 volt batteries with an automatic water refiller for the batteries. It should have a range of slightly more than 60 miles and will just need to be recharged. I will have a charge gauge installed, instead of the "charge idiot light".

I am excited to get it back on Monday or Tuesday of next week. :2excited:

[ajbrown]

Used batteries are an environmental disaster. If your purpose for buying electric is your concern for the environment , consider all the impllications, including those that occur after use and retirement of the vehicle.

It is not why I own electric, but I am interested in learning more because everything I have read about deep cycle battery recycling tends to look like the following:

Recycling

The vast majority of deep cycle batteries on the market today are lead acid batteries. Lead acid batteries are recycled 98% by volume, 99.5% by weight. The plastic cases, lead plates, sulfuric acid, solder, and other metals are 100% recovered for reuse. The only part of a battery that is not recyclable is the paper separators that wrap the plates. Due to the acid bath the paper sits in, the fiber length is reduced so far that it cannot be rewoven.
Industry wide, there is a 97% rate of recovery on all lead acid batteries sold in the United States, resulting in a virtually closed manufacturing cycle.

This quote came from: Deep cycle battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_cycle_battery)

[ajbrown]

I am in the process of having my 2006 Club Cart,(electric), refurbished by Sta-Rite Golf Carts store, ("frank7" on TOTV).

I upgraded my cart, from 4-12 volt batteries to 8-6 volt batteries with an automatic water refiller for the batteries. It should have a range of slightly more than 60 miles and will just need to be recharged. I will have a charge gauge installed, instead of the "charge idiot light".

I am excited to get it back on Monday or Tuesday of next week. :2excited:

Brand new 8-6v pack.... I am feeling a bit of range envy....

GOOD for you! Break them in gently, no showing off for the first 20 cycles :crap2:

[batman911]

There is also the issue of several homes burning down due to electric carts in the garage. Happens rarely, but it does happen.

[jimbo2012]

Perhaps more with gas tank leaks.

[renrod]

It is not why I own electric, but I am interested in learning more because everything I have read about deep cycle battery recycling tends to look like the following:

Recycling

The vast majority of deep cycle batteries on the market today are lead acid batteries. Lead acid batteries are recycled 98% by volume, 99.5% by weight. The plastic cases, lead plates, sulfuric acid, solder, and other metals are 100% recovered for reuse. The only part of a battery that is not recyclable is the paper separators that wrap the plates. Due to the acid bath the paper sits in, the fiber length is reduced so far that it cannot be rewoven.
Industry wide, there is a 97% rate of recovery on all lead acid batteries sold in the United States, resulting in a virtually closed manufacturing cycle.

This quote came from: Deep cycle battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_cycle_battery)

Ya know AJ...Some people don't want the FACTS, they just are not interested. As a friend once told another friend "You don't let facts get in the way of a good argument".
The process you speak of has been shown on "How Do They Do It", and you are 100% correct.

This is a subject that has literally been beat to death. Each type has it's UPSIDE and DOWNSIDE. MOST, not all Villagers, don't travel as far as they did when they first arrived. As the saying goes "each to his own".

[AriaGrandparents2013]

I bought a Yamaha gas cart in September and have driven to Spanish Springs numerous times from Village of Fernandina (near Bonifay C.C.) without any issues and very little gas usage. Due to size of Villages gas gives me a peace of mind in my travels.

Have never used an Electric cart so can not comment on there suitability for traveling around The Villages.

[jimbo2012]

Many electric's can go 45-50 miles.

Mine with solar goes over 73, if you need to drive more than that a car is easier on you butt & back :a20:

[Challenger]

Used batteries are an environmental disaster. If your purpose for buying electric is your concern for the environment , consider all the impllications, including those that occur after use and retirement of the vehicle.

Apparently my statment as it would apply to batteries used in most golf carts is not accurate. I appreciate the fact that someone quoted facts which is all to often not the case in this forum.

A debate where the participants are intellectually honest can be a refreshing and make a valuable contribution to understanding.

I stand corrected

[Barefoot]

Electric is the only way to go in TV. I have 3 year old batteries and can easily go from Brownwood to the VA clinic and back without a charge or the headache from the noise and fumes emitted from a gas cart.

We've had a Par Car since 2007. It's lovely and reliable and quiet. We've never had a mechanical problem. We replaced the batteries last year for the first time. We've never run out of charge. (Plus it's got an onboard charger and can be plugged in anywhere).

We live mid Villages. We can golf on a southern golf course, go to dinner in the north, return home, and the charge is still good.

[wwddww]

Electric is the only way to go in TV. I have 3 year old batteries and can easily go from Brownwood to the VA clinic and back without a charge or the headache from the noise and fumes emitted from a gas cart. If you decide to go gas, get a Yamaha 2012 or newer with the fuel injection. They are a little less likely to cause cancer and neurological problems.


Well that does it. I am going to quit driving my car. I do not want to get cancer or neurological problems.

[Easyrider]

Electric is the only way to go in TV. I have 3 year old batteries and can easily go from Brownwood to the VA clinic and back without a charge or the headache from the noise and fumes emitted from a gas cart. If you decide to go gas, get a Yamaha 2012 or newer with the fuel injection. They are a little less likely to cause cancer and neurological problems.

Yesterday, 12:07 PM
jimbo2012 jimbo2012

There is also the issue of several homes burning down due to electric carts in the garage. Happens rarely, but it does happen.
Perhaps more with gas tank leaks.


Just to be fair to the gas carts you should go to any country club or other parking lot where carts park often and the golf cart trails on the golf courses and see all the many large rust looking spots which are actually spilled battery acid burns. Even notice street crossings where there is concrete and see if you want these acid burns on your driveway and garage floor not to mention the safety hazards of dealing with the battery refilling and charging over and over. Gas fumes if there are any last for a few seconds but it doesn't appear that it bothers some electric owners that they are leaving a trail of battery acid everywhere they go which will be there indefinitely. Never heard of anyone having a gas tank leak and if it did there was would likely be no problem caused by it.

:gc:

Buggies Unlimited Golf Cart Forum
Batteries constantly leaking
Postby phankins » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:32 am

The batteries on my 2001 PDS leak acid/water constantly through the vent caps. Even when not charging, they gurgle and the acid seeps out. Just the other day, I had all 6 batteries out to clean up the corrosion, and just sitting on the ground, disconnected, they leak acid and make noise. Is this normal? You can imagine what kind of corrosion problems I have to deal with. The batteries are Exides and are 2 to 3 years old and have done this since day one. I keep distilled water in them and they seem to be in good shape as far as taking a charge and run time. If this is normal I'm going to have to rethink owning an electric cart.
Thanks
phankins

[Rango]

We are getting ready to buy our first golf cart and are trying to decide if we should buy gas or electric. After reading several posts, it seems that the electric carts need to have the batteries replace about every 3 years at about $650. Is this correct? How much does the annual maintenance cost for a gas cart? One other thing, it seems like the Par Car is a very well built cart but just doesn't hold it's value. It seems like the Yamaha gas holds it's value the best.

I would like to see your opinions on this please.

Generally electric carts have a much lower resale value than gas carts.

[jhrc4]

I answered this very same question months ago and here is my conclusion for you.

I looked at Par Car, EZGO, Club Car, Yamaha, Gas and Electric. The results

1) EZ GO Gas

2) Yamaha

3) Club Car

4) Par Car

The EZ GO is a far better cart than Yamaha however Yamaha is the Villages favorite.
You will see far more Yamaha's here than any other..why..? My guess is people see more " Yamaha's" and that is the bottom line

Lastly Fumes/Smells from Gas vs. Electric when you pass thru the tunnels you will be smelling the other gas carts fumes , take a deep breath and smile afterwards.

One last thing Electric totally quieter, but...if you choose Electric go Par Car around 80 miles per charge...Again Electric....BUT !!

[keithwand]

Most of the Yamahas you see are gas and they are the best gas carts.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

There is also the issue of several homes burning down due to electric carts in the garage. Happens rarely, but it does happen.

Really? Can you post some news reports of this happening?

[Easyrider]

Quote:
Originally Posted by batman911 View Post
There is also the issue of several homes burning down due to electric carts in the garage. Happens rarely, but it does happen.

Really? Can you post some news reports of this happening?


Officials: Fire from electric golf cart destroys Pike Road home - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL. (http://www.wsfa.com/story/23971188/officials-fire-from-electric-golf-cart-destroys-pike-road-home)

Pasadena woman alleges electric golf cart caught fire, destroyed home - Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Pasadena-woman-alleges-electric-golf-cart-caught-4625664.php)