Used vs new yamaha carts?
 

We're newbies and -- with supply and demand spiking new cart prices -- we're thinking instead of a used gas Yamaha cart with the EFI and Quiet Tech features.
Is there any clear definition of what is a "re-manufactured" or "re-conditioned" cart? Does Yamaha have anything to say about these?
One off-campus site claims they're expecting Yamaha to ship them "hundreds" of almost-new models just demo-ed at "a big PGA tournament" somewhere. (Nothing but a long hold calling Yamaha customer service.)
BUT, they add, there's no serial number, nor is there a factory-installed meter or gauge to measure hours on the cart, where others say BS.
Advice welcomed and thank you very much.

just buy new , it may take 3 months for a new cart???

We purchased a 2018 cart in 2020 that had been a "golf cart". It does have serial numbers on the engine and body. The serial number does tell you what type of cart it was from the factory. Ours had been modified with 10 inch wheels, custom paint, high speed gears, rear view mirrors, LED turn signals, a dash with locking glove boxes, storage shelf mounted on the front top, Vented windshield, and enclosure. If you rent a cart at one of the championship courses you can see how it started life out. I had a tech from Willy's who had worked for Yamaha explain the serial number denotes what type of cart it began life as. We have added some custom seats and seat belts. You can rent carts by the month if you want to take your time and look around for a good used one.

Agree.

The reconditioned carts are pigs with a dress.............they do no recondition the mechanics of the cart.

If you buy from the villages golf cars, you get a loaner for free until your car is ready

No, they go over cart and replace anything they find bad on the inspection, change fluids/filters or test and service batteries. If you have the ability to determine condition of used golf cart you can save a bunch. If not, then new might be good choice as suggested.

I bought remanufactured, 2013. It has been an excellent cart. It is actually a 2010 model. I saved 2500 vs new.
Village Discount Golf Carts on 466 and 441.
When I need another one that is where I will go.
I picked out all accessories, color, etc. Took 3 - 4 weeks.

go to Villages Discount Golf Carts on 466 next to Birdies golf. They sell golf carts used in golf tournaments by ambassadors all over the country. Kind of like demos. 2020 2021 carts available. delivered to your house, serviced at your house. MUCH cheaper than the villages golf cart stores. You can have gas gauge installed and seat belts, and any other gadget you may want. All have serial numbers and you couldn't tell it was not brand new

New vs Used Yamaha golf carts
 

We bought our home in September, 2019 and became residents March, 2020. I started watching the ToTV Classified during that period and, in April, saw a 2011 four seat Yamaha, in good shape, for $5,400. Test drove it and bought it for $5,000. My logic was that you could repair a whole lot of issues for the $8,000 cost spread compared to refurbished newer models. We did add seat belts, two shelves, LED headlights, a light bar and, last of all, upgraded seats with armrests. That puts us all-in at $7,000 - $6,000 less than Refurb. Willie's does a great job with maintenance and I've only had to have them repair the throttle activator switch.

Working well for us, so far...

The suspension before 2017-18 was really stiff. going over the curb dips, speed bumps, etc was hard on the back and "the girls" took quite a bounce!

This is 100 percent incorrect.

A mechanic told me the 2015/16 Yamaha model years were the best ever built. I had a ‘16 and it had no issues.

Try Wholesale golf carts in Summerfield. family owned and very responsive.
we are newbies too found them to have the best warranties,

We would a cart need to be reconditioned if it was only used by the PGA?
 

Do you really think the PGA would ever put a Pro Golfer out on a cart other then a new one?


Same with vehicles. The SUV Tiger crashed was brand new. Any cart that would need to be rebuilt would have to be rode hard.

Who rebuilds the engine for the pigs with a dress??

"Driven by a little old lady to church on Sundays."

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Why not check with your realtor? They have access to who's selling what.

When we first moved here 15 years ago we bought a used cart from a Villager whose mother had used it and passed away. Still driving that gas Yamaha. DH has a new gas cart. He keeps mine serviced and gassed and I am one happy camper.

As a long time motorcycle and off road rider, and current UTV off-road rider I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Yamaha cart. In fact I had one myself.

Just remember that whenever you're buying anything used spend more time learning about the owner than the vehicle. The story for selling and for caring for the machine are more important than some other details. If it all falls in line I would buy a gas, fuel injected, no problems with either one. Don't listen to all the hunk and bunk about carburetors and gas issues.

They're easy to maintain as long as you're proactive it's simple. Good luck!

Bought reconditioned/re-manufactured 2014 Yamaha fuel injected in 2016 from Village Discount Golf Cart.
Extensive choices of options.
5 year guarantee.
Excellent after service follow up.

Pro golfers playing in PGA Tour events walk the course...they do not use carts.

In my humble opinion I recommend getting a new cart from the villages golf cart store in Brownwood. They will give you a loaner for free until your cart is ready. Don’t by used or reconditioned. You may pay a little more on the base price but they only charge for the parts for all the extras. So if your adding extras your cart will be the same cost or cheaper. I recommend you ask for Ron Morse (no relation to the Morse family). The guy spends a lot of time with you and has a keen eye for design. And truly a nice guy with no pressure added.

I agree. Village Discount.
 

I bought a 2018 Yamaha, completely reconditioned. They set it up the way you would want it. Nice seats and weather and bug protection.

If you want EFI and the newer QuieTech 2 features, you're talking about a 2017 or newer model. Fuel gauges, hour meters and speedometers are not standard equipment from the factory. Some dealers add them, some do not.

Golf Cars are a hot commodity right now. Used carts in good condition and a fair price sell very quickly. As of last Saturday, Villages Golf Cars had exactly ZERO used carts in stock. An order placed with them now for either a reconditioned or brand new cart has a delivery date in mid-January. That compares to 6-7 weeks for a new cart ordered last year. If you find a used cart that strikes your fancy, act quick...chances are it won't be around long.

There are other golf carts , EZGo , Club Car etc. I don’t see the advantage Yamaha

Yes, but I'm sure the cost of that rental is figured into their price, don't you think?

Just make sure you research what you are getting. We moved to The Villages in mid June. I knew I wanted Gas powered and narrowed that down to a Yamaha Quietech before we even moved here because of my research. I also wanted the Yamaha 'Y' suspension system to smooth out the ride. Sticker Shock on the new Yamaha models stunned me to say the least. I migrated over to the used row and the price was still more than I expected to pay for new. Wife ignored me, sat down with the salesmen, and wrote out a check for a new one she thought had a 'pretty' paint scheme. We love our new Yamaha, but I break out in sweats when I think about what we paid for it. lol

I guarantee that it is "included". The Villages sell their new golf cars for over $1,000 more than the other licensed Yamaha dealers in the area. Check it out; we did.

New VS Reconditioned Golf Cart
 

I just ordered a new 2022 Yamaha EFI cart from the Villagers golf cart store. I also questioned new vs used. Happens that any 2017 & up cart with Quiet Tech EFI will run you anywhere from $8500 - $11,000 or more depending on additional equipment I also looked at refurbs from our Village store. They are asking for $11,500 for a 2020 refurb & $13,000 for a new 2022 with the same equipment. These prices are for what the Villagers store sells as Lifestyle equipped, both identical. My feeling was that the refurbs are not coming with a new or rebuilt motor or drivetrain, they make them pretty and while they do offer a 3 year warranty they're betting on you not having an issue before the warranty runs out. Therefore, with the difference being $1500 I went new. Lead time for delivery is sometime in January but they will supply me with a loaner until me cart arrives.

I am very mechanically inclined and initially had concerns about buying a reconditioned cart. They don't open the motor up, but do a compression test which will show a 'worn out' motor but may still hide some significant wear. That said, we went reconditioned because of price and besides the motor internals, it basically is a new cart including clutches rear end drive, etc. Time will tell if we made the right decision or not, but I'm fairly confident we did at least for us.

Golf Cart maintenance
 

Please tell me more about "Willie's". Where is he located? What is his phone number? Does he come to your house if necessary?

I have a 2015 Yamaha I bought new from TV golf cart store in Brownwood. It has had 4 starters on it. A solenoid. Two clutches. About 6 belts. On my third battery. Only thing covered by warranty was one clutch. WOW, I'm certainly glad I got one of the best ever built.
My neighbor across the street had a new 2016 from TV golf cart store in Brownwood. First week he owned it the motor locked up and they had to put a new motor in it.
:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

New electric car.

About 5 months ago we bought a 2017 Yamaha from the Villages Golf Cars. The previous owner had done a lot of upgrades to it, seat belts, carbon fiber looking dash with locking glove box, overhead shelf and upgrade seat. TV Golf Cars replaced the battery, drive belt, air filter and spark plug. Wasn't any way we were going to pay the outrageous price for a new cart. A neighbor bought a 2010 Yamaha cart a couple months before us and has had no problems with it. Used is not always bad, not even close.

I brought used 2012 1/2, I plan on keeping it forever. With 14K it’s runs and looks like new. But, I was mechanic for 42 years.

Agree, my used golf cart was 3 years old listed for 13,995. I paid 7500. From private seller. VGC would wanted 10K plus for it. Then, sold my club car for 2500. Now way I was going to give 14K plus for golf cart.

My house came with a used 2009 Yamaha. I added seat belts, some foam padding under the seat covers, and rewired the headlights onto their own fused circuit. Other than that, yearly oil changes are all the maintenance it has needed. The new ones are quieter, and the suspension a little more forgiving on some of those bone breaker curbs at street crossings, but if that becomes an issue soundproofing and shock absorbers are cheap on Amazon.

When we were shopping around Village Discount Carts was only about $1000 cheaper for a used cart compared to a new. That said we didn't go to Webster to get prices. For the second cart a trip to Country Village power will be in the mix.

I was quoted $19,600 Villages Carts SS out the door for a 4seater with self canceling signals, and tunnel lights, locking dash, sporster seats. Pretty basic, very pricey. I’m going refurbished with warranty for $12-13k. Just my opinion…🥃