Hybrid Vehicle Replacing Golf Cars
 

Reading here which golf car is best, model, price, electric/gas, etc.

I'm thinking why have a car in your garage and a golf car? :thumbup:

Why not just buy a Hybrid car and get all the comforts to go like AC.
Could carry more plus 4-5 people.

Sure, you can't use it on golf courses, or golf paths, (which maybe is a plus).

Hybrid vehicles run on lithium batteries, same as electric golf car with a gas engine
to charge the batteries.

Cost the same with one insurance policy.
Get more room in your garage.
No maintaining two vehicles.

Your Thoughts

Sounds like your discussion eliminates the golf cart. If room in the garage is the issue then you should have the hybrid car the size of a golf cart. You could also get a slightly larger hybrid and still have garage room, but have a vehicle that is comfortable to drive on the Interstate, or trips. Personal preference dictates your answer here.

Why not just call a cab?

Golf carts are popular because they are small, economical, easy to park, low maintenance. Most folks prefer a regular vehicle for longer trips outside the bubble, and use the golf cart for local travel. I would not want to have just one vehicle, hybrid or not. It's a matter of personal choice.

Golf carts are fun to drive, easy to park at the squares. A car is what a car has been used for since it was invented. Both for me!

Me thinks you answered your own question. :rolleyes:

You know what you need.
 

Golf carts are fun to drive, but if you don't play golf, it's a waste. Things are so accessible here in The Villages I have a golf cart that I never use and my 2021 car which I purchase in Sept. 2020 has only 7,000 miles on it and that's with a round trip drive to N.J.

Zero emissions vehicles kumatoo com from S. Africa

Apples to oranges. Lots of non golf cart over 55 communties out there in the world. Golf Carts in TV is to Mickey Mouse at Disney.

It's so nice to not have doors to open and close and no seat belts. You just hop in and hit the gas. Get rid of the golf car? Maybe we should just get rid of the car.

Joe

I have a hybrid automobile and a gas powered golf cart. Works out very nicely, thank you!

I can’t speak for everyone else but I don’t or want all the issues that comes with a hybird. Besides you can’t drive a hybrid on the golf course. Your right what you said, it would make sense.

Not too many issues with hybrids these days. Drove my 2014 Prius for six years and over 170,000 miles. Only replaced tires and windshield wipers.

Wouldn't give up the golf cart here. Thinking of buying a second.

What I never understand is why the gas golf carts are so noisy (and the older ones smelly) because an engine that small in size should be quieter? I am definitely serious - I would like to know why.

If "no doors to open and none to close and no seat belts" are very important factors - then a 3-wheel motorcycle would work nicely just like a golf cart. Also, the old DUNE BUGGY would fit that bill, but you would need seat belts. I used to drive a Dodge van with removed doors around Tennessee. In a rural neighborhood, it did not stand out too much there.

That says volumes about Toyota quality, reliability, and early innovation!

Smelly is because the owner does not properly maintain it. It is an air cooled engine.
The water, antifreeze, that cools a typical car also reduces the engine noise.

I love it! And it make me want to remove the doors from my minivan now.

Joe

Wanna' sell it?

I went the other direction. After a year and a half here, I sold my smart car and now have 2 golf carts. One is a Yamaha gas and the other is an Atomic electric. I had the Atomic certified and licensed as street legal LSV so I can cross over streets not allowed in the regular cart. It fills my needs for the most part. If I really need a car, I can always rent one at Enterprise. I have some regrets about selling my car but I’m getting by fine.

Yea, I know Hybrids are more reliable than the EV’s. I was told about EV’s 15 yrs. before I retired from Ford 15 yrs.ago. Our Executive’s didn’t like a lot of things about them. My grandson just bought a 2022 Ford Limited Hybrid truck. Don’t know why auto companies think EV’s are ready to be put on the market when they still have issues with them. Me personally I’m not sold on them yet!

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense. But, I had VW battles with much bigger engines that were whisper quiet. Possibly VW put a lot of design in their sound insulation and exhaust system that golf carts do not because of cost?

I believe that EVs are the MOST reliable vehicle. The engine motion is in a circle not up and down like pistons. Has to be more reliable.

That thing is barely broke in!!! :bigbow:
I think the hybrid... specifically the Prius is taylor made for life in the villages. Most of the driving is less than 40 miles an hour and involves stopping and starting. I have two Priuses is (maybe the proper term is Prii).. My 2004 up the lake has over 630,000 miles on it. The one down here is a 2011 and has 235,000 miles on it. Same as you, just tires and oil changes. I did replace the windshield on the 2011 after hitting a turkey at 70mph! :shocked:
I get about 51 miles per gallon on the highway, but around the villages getting close to 58 miles per gallon.
Oh and I have a golf cart too.....because I golf.:ho:

I hear you but they’re not reliable because you can’t even take a decent trip in one. We go from Texas to Ohio at least 3 times a yr. In a EV it would take us 3 or 4 days to go & the same coming home . For what they cost 300 miles wouldn’t be worth it to me, heck sometimes I would put 300 miles on my golf cart in a day or 2. I don’t think you’re looking at the big picture what needs to be spent on these high priced rich man’s golf cart. So if you want one, enjoy it but I’ll remember what the experts told me at Ford. Not trying to sound mean but just a little pricey for what I want. Thanks for your comment!

Car vs. Cart, apple vs. lasagna.

Bingo
 

Spot on! And do yourself a favor and get your wife (significant other) a golf cart too.

I agree except for the no seatbelts.

Most golf cart fatalities have occurred when the driver or passenger has been ejected from the cart and their head impacts the pavement.

In many, if not most golf cart collisions, the cart has remained upright.

I love driving my golf cart but always wear my seatbelt.

I, personally, do not care for any. I need to know I will get where I am going.

Holy cow, welcome back.

One really has nothing to do with the other. Anyone can buy a hybrid car, they have been around for a long time. If you can find a hybrid for $15,000 or let then go for it. I have never seen them that cheap, generally $30-40,000. My entire reason for buying in the Villages was to own a golf cart and be able to drive it everywhere so that is what I do.