Par cart compaired to the Atomic cart
 

Which would be the best driving cart for Dad? He takes Mom for a ride everyday. She hates noise and a rough ride. He has an EZGO w/a Curtis Cab that doesn't meet Mom's requirements. Dad would prefer gas, but Mom said no! He always is worrying about running out of juice and a bumpy ride. Any and all ideas welcomed.

Your dad is very wise. Side with him. Gas gets you there and back and that is important as we get older. It is really hot and not at all fun to be stranded with an electric cart that quits on you. Didn't mean much to me ten years ago but it does now, and we aren't getting any younger. Get Gas. (giggle)

I enjoy reading your posts so much until you share your expertise on golf carts...:boxing2:

PS. That is a friendly boxing emoticon :)

We looked into the Atomic golf cart......for one main reason AIR CONDITIONING.....and HEAT.

Theres one forsale..brand new on Ebay for $12900.

But, then we decided to wait till they come out with a gas version...hopefully soon....

I've had a Par Car and now a Yamaha gas. The Par Car had the 13" wheels and rode much smoother than the Yamaha (10" wheels) does. We got rid of the Par Car because the height of the floor with the 13" wheels was high enough that my wife had problems climbing in and out of the cart compared to other carts.

So it's a trade off. The larger wheels will give a smoother ride, but the higher floor may make it difficult for your parents to get in and out. Range was not a problem with the Par Car.

Going on the assumption that you dad must have a GOLF cart, you can look the Atomic cart, which is actually a LSV (Low speed vehicle), which needs tags, insurance, etc, just like a car. NOTE: there may be restrictions on the use of these vehicles on golf courses.

If dad is just going for a ride, and would be content using streets and not golf cart paths, you might look at the Smart Car and similar vehicles. there are several small cars that would be very smooth ride, have A/C, etc.

You should probably discuss with dad the primary purpose of the vehicle and then any other specific restrictions so that you can make an informed choice.
Hope this helps.

Thanks all. Dad prefers driving the golf cart to entertain Mom. He prefers gas, but Mom says no and Dad always listens to Mom!

Still need opinions on the better choice, Par or Atomic.

How about they both go and test drive each, rather than depending on someone else's opinion.

They are different classes of vehicles. They should go test drive them both. The opinions of people on this forum probably aren't going to help you much as you didn't provide that much information. For example, is AC/Heat important? Will it be used for golf (you would have some additional costs for golf course tires and a rack for golf clubs with the Atomic)?

It doesn't require licensing, tags, insurance unless you want to drive it on the street like a car. If you use it like a golf cart on the MMPs, nothing different than any other golf cart is required.

Outlaw, I am not sure what you are saying is correct. Golf carts are limited to 20 mph, and if you run afoul of the law and they check your cart and find it capable of going over 20 mph there are lots of fines, and you have to have the cart returned to a top speed of 20 mph. I do not see how a LSV could avoid licensing.
Now having stated my understanding the FL laws on this are confusing, as well as the insurance requirements, so OP, if you are looking at this option, do your homework on licensing and insurance requirements.
Hope this helps.

More Gas verse electric golf cart opinions
 

Re: Golf cart opinions. We have a electric EZ Go and the option of driving a Yamaha gas. We normally take the EZ Go. The weight of the batteries seems to makes it a smoother ride and the electric is quiter. I do understand that a lot of people like the gas cart but I find I that I normally do not drive over five miles, so range does not become a issue for us. The Atomic cart is only a few thousand dollars less than the Honda Fit we bought new a few years ago. I think you will get many opinions on the subject as you could buy a gas and a electric cart for what the Atomic cost. The two drawbacks on the Atomic was the price and the seat options are not as good as a regular golf cart. But it does have a built in roll bar, four wheel disk brakes and seat belts. I test drove and did some limited research on the Atomic cart. If we buy the Atomic cart it will be mainly due to the safety and a/c it brings to the table.

I was talking to the owner of an Atomic yesterday. She didn't have plates on it so I assume it was not licensed.

Not true. If it's capable of going over 20 mph it must, by law, be registered and insured. I'm sure that there are many carts in TV that go over 20 and are not registered and insured, but if you get stopped in one you'll be charged with driving and unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

Then she's violating the law.

Can Atomic carts be used for golf? Do they have bag racks?

I assumed the dealer adjusted the top speed to 20 mph to conform to the law for non-street legal carts - don't know for sure. This one did not have golf course tires or a rack for golf bags (as she didn't play golf) but she did say those were options.

We plan on driving carts before buying, but it is always good to listen to other's opinions and that is what we are looking for. Thanks all.

Does a 4 wheeler ATV require licensing and registration? No. You can drive them on private property all day long with no problems. You will find many Par Car LSVs in TV that are not licensed. They cannot legally drive on roadways, but can legally drive on the MMPs. The speed limit is another thing. If you are on a public road, in the golf cart/bike lane, you are limited to 20 mph, the speed limit. If you exceed the speed limit, you may get a speeding ticket. The "lots of fines" to which you refer are associated with the aftermarket MODIFICATION of a golf cart to exceed it's designed maximum speed. An LSV comes from the factory capable of speeds up to 25 mph.

Please provide your source. Allowing a vehicle to be licensed for street use does mandate a vehicle be licensed.