2 person vs. 4 person golf cart
 

We are looking at a 4 person forward facing golf cart. My question is how often do you actually have 4 people in your cart?

I know you can't have 4 for golf, I'm talking about running around town w others or visitors?

2 carts vs 1 four seat cart?

We occasionally have visitors and need four seats to go out. We solved this with a pair of two-seaters rather than a single four-seater.

1. I'm not sure we could fit a four-seater in our garage.
2. When we don't have visitors we often head different directions and can each take a cart
3. When we do have visitors we sometimes head different directions and can each take a cart
4. It's sometimes nice for each of us to pair up with one half of the visiting couple for a conversation - two carts provide that opportunity

We probably paid more for our two carts than you would pay for a single four-seater but for us it was easily worth the money.

I would only need a 4 person cart twice a year for visitors - cheaper to just rent one for those “one offs” - I like the way my two seater looks and handles.

Two seater is the only way to go. How can you golf with a four seater? Will a four seater fit in your garage? Longer wheel base makes turning and parking more difficult. No one wants to sit in the back of a golf cart regardless of which way they are facing.

We have a 4 seater, with the 2 additional seats facing backwards, and these fold up for golfing. In the 6 or 7 years we have owned this cart, we have actually needed the additional seats maybe a dozen times, almost always at Christmas time and we were able to talk to our visitors with a raised voice. We have borrowed carts in the past and that worked well also.
There are variations on 4 seater carts, with some almost the same size as a 2 passenger cart, but is general these are longer, turns can be harder, parking can be more difficult, and some are hard to use for golfing. Our cart is used at least twice a week for golfing.

If you can afford it, buy one two seater and one four seater, that works for us.

Depending on which four seater...........some are less than a foot longer.

Some four seaters have the same wheel base at two seaters.

Four seaters are nice for visitors, everyone in the same cart, having the same conversation.

If you are the average Villager, you will rarely use the 4-seat cart. You will spend another $2k to add the rear seat package with a covered roof and rain enclosure and beefed-up suspension that will ride like a lumber wagon. When I was in the cart business, I can't tell you how many times folks would after a couple of years sell it or trade it in for a 2-seater. When friends come in, rent a cart or borrow one from a neighbor. Just my opinion of course, but it comes with a load of experience. Twenty years a Villager and half of that in the cart business. Best wishes.

Our first cart in TV was a four-seater.
Over 10 years ago and we still have it.
Would not and will not sell it.

We always rented a 4seat for when boys come down. After 4 years asked us to only rent 2 seater for them. They are not a fan of riding in the rear seat when traveling.

So we have two 2 seat carts. If need be fit end to end in cart garage. Friend have four seater trade with us for our two carts they don’t like their younger grands in the rear seat.

We have two golf carts because we both golf and not always together. My first cart had a handy folding seat on the back (used I think twice) and was electric. With two carts we just didn’t need a four person golf cart. I never liked riding backwards and felt badly for putting any friend or guest on the cart to ride backwards.

I have an inexpensive 4 forward electric cart (evolution d5). So far it's treated us very well. Good range (70 miles) cheap, lots of options (unproven Chinese brand). We have used the back seat a lot more than we thought we would, we had a lot of family over the summer but we also have made great friends with a couple of our neighbors and when we go somewhere together we take our cart. I test drove a lot of them before we bought, this one has all the seats between the wheels so it's well behaved when you're fully loaded. It's also only 6" or a foot longer than the Yamaha with 2 forward and 2 rearward.

I'll be the first person to say buying a Yamaha is a safe bet, can't go wrong. If you want to dip your toe in the ev world for a lot less money this might be a consideration. You're welcome to borrow it for a few days if you'd like to test drive it.

We had a 2 front/2 back 4 seater Yamaha. No one liked riding backwards in the rear seats - traded it for a 4 front seater Yamaha - MUCH better.

We added to back seats to our 2 seater. It added 9 inches. Almost zero difference in turning and parking. The wheel base is the same in 2 or 4 seaters, at least for Yamaha's. Golf bags work just fine with our golf bag attachment which we leave on the cart when no one is visiting.

When my brother is visiting, we enjoy sitting on the back having a few cold beverages while the wives drive and sit up front.

The 4 frontwards ones are terrible for tall people in the back. I would rather face backwards and relax than have my knees almost touching my chest facing forward.

2 vs 4 persons car
 

4 persons facing forward is longer and it takes more space in your garage, it is also heavier with the same size engine as of two. How often you are going to have visitors that may use those back seats? I added the two seats facing backward; a few inches shorter than facing forward and it is lighter in weight.

Seldom

We’re looking at adding a second 2seater rather than getting a 4 seater.

This way we can each go our own ways in a cart and share them with our guests in those rare times we have visitors.

We have a 4-seat but the back seat is rear facing. Easier to maneuver and park- we use it every time we have company and often with friends. Boys in the front girls in the back! We love it and so glad we can accommodate 4!

What do people do with big dogs? We have a 90lb lab

We had a four-seater when we moved here (came with the house in fact), but it was electric with tired batteries and not a lot of range so we sold it and bought a two-seater. The four-seater was a bit longer than the two-seater but fit in the cart garage with no problem.

I'd say 95% of the time the two-seater fits our needs perfectly. With visitors, especially w/family, we just rent one or two from Villages Golf Cars. The rent is reasonable and carts are always available.

We have a 2 seater, and 3 or 4 times a year we rent either another 2 seater or 4 seater depending on whose visiting. It might be a route to consider until you get a feel for what your real versus perceived needs will be.

For the few times you will have 4 people in your cart, it is much easier to rent a second cart. The cost will be less than $25/day. Many of the cart rentals will deliver to your door and pick up. With The Villages garages, you pick the cart up and return it to the garage.

4 person carts are a pain on the golf course as the clubs are hard to access. They take up space in your garage and they stick out into the traffic lanes when parked around the squares. Taking their added cost into account compared to the times you will need to rent a cart when you have guests, and it makes little sense to buy a 4 person.

Yep, ours is less than a foot longer, has the same wheel base, fits in the garage and has four seats. We took out time, shopped carefully, thought it through and are very happy with our purchase. That's all that matters, right?

We have one of each. A 4 forward Yamaha and a 2 seat Yamaha with the rear facing seat. The 4 forward rides nice but so does the 2 seater. I use the 4 forward for golf and do not have any issues. We don't use the back seat a lot but it is nice to have when you have company. Some people can't handle sitting backwards so it helps with the 4 forward cart. I do not have any issues parking at the squares. I back in when parking like all the other carts. It sticks out about 6 inches more than other carts but other traffic does not get the close to the carts. It is easier to talk to people with the 4 forward cart vs two facing backwards. We have a golf cart garage so I have plenty of room for the carts and a Jeep.

Nobody likes riding when facing backwards - try it yourself sometime. We moved from a Yamaha with a rear facing seat to an Evolution D5 forward facing 4 seater. I use it for everything - and golf is no issue. it rides better than my Yamaha and is loaded with features - some of which are not even available on a Yamaha. One of my son's is 6'4" and has no issue in the rear seat.

When company visits, they love taking a ride around The Villages in this cart - everybody is facing the same way, easy to talk, and they feel far safer. All 4 seats have automotive style 3 point seatbelts.

While we were test driving I always sat in the back while someone else was driving and I had someone (heavy) sit in the back while I drove. The tetter totter effect of the carts with the back seats behind the rear axle turned me off. On one test drive (Bolero in Ocala) a large salesman and myself sat in the back of a rear facing cart and my wife driving, we were horsing around a little and could get enough weight off the front tires to make steering difficult. This won't happen in real world use but it did show just how tippy they can be in the wrong circumstances. I have seen a few where the back seat was very heavily loaded and it looked like those carts were way out of shape (so much so the rear tires were buried in the back fenders.... ). If you have company that are large people renting another 2 seater would be my strong preference. With 4 typical sized adults our 4 forward is very good.

Oh yea, I think I sold you that cart. It's good to be happy:wave:

Very seldom do we use the rear seat. Mainly when we have visitors. We have a folding seat and foot rest.

Started off with two 2 seater golf carts. Took up too much space in the garage. Sold them and got a Yamaha 4 seater (rear seats face backwards). My grandaughter LOVES riding in the back. I have a folding wooden frame that fits around the platform that is made by folding the backseat down. It's great for holding shopping goods whenever I go to the store. One time I bought twelve 1gallon cans of paint at Lowes and the golf cart handled them all with ease. My wife and I enjoy the 4 seater more so than the 2 seater. BTW, we don't golf, so we have no experiences on the golf course.

We had a 4 seater facing forward built for 14k with all the bells and whistles. Gas powered and we love it! It is a little trickier to turn and park but we frequently have visitors and them riding backward was awful. Can't participate in conversations, etc. Wholesale Golf Carts on 441. We chose every option, colors, etc. Came with a warranty and free 6mo Kart Aid. They pick it up at the house for all maintenance and repairs and deliver it back usually same day.
We used to rent a 4 seater facing forward which became expensive and very difficult in the winter to get one last minute.

Two seater vs four seater
 

When we moved to the villages 4 years ago we bought a four seater, facing to the rear. We use it a lot each way. I golf 3-4 times per week. Have dozen times per year we have guests, when we need four seats. Now, here's when we really need the extra seat. We fold it down, put in screen sides with velcro, and throw their beds in for our two Golden retrievers whom love to ride and jump over the front seat to go for a ride, we go to the squares 3-4 nights a week with our Goldens. They love it, where people pat them, etc. For us the four seat rear works the best. So, it all depends on your use.

Two 2-seat Yamahas for us, and they fit our needs perfectly. We both golf, sometimes together, oftentimes not. It is so much more practical for us to be able to have separate carts when needed. When we are together, we alternate which cart we take to spread the mileage around. We actually wound up selling a car when we determined we really didn't need a second motor vehicle. So now, 2 carts and one car is the perfect setup. YMMV.

Not often. Gp with a two seat cart, rent or borrow an extra when you need it.

We had a 2 seat Yamaha and we were buying another cart. I was going to get the Yamaha 2+2 but I then I sat in it and it was not comfortable. You also lose the basket behind the seats with that design. We decided on another 2 seat Yamaha and just rent another cart if needed. So far in 2.5 years we rented another cart 5 times.

Golf Cart Purchase
 

We had the same question when we first moved here...2 or 4 person cart. We started out with a 4 person, but then realized it was used for that very few times. Finally decided on a 2 person gas. If you need a 4 person, rent it...or find a friend who has one and trade your 2 person with them for the time you need it.

Could you rent one for an occasion?

We have a 4 forward Yamaha. We love it. Noise level is really low due to engine location in the back seat. As far usage:

60% just one (me). But that’s because is my main transport. Probably same with 2 seats.

10% 2 people, me and wife

30% 4 people

We tested pretty much everything available about 1.5 years ago and this design (4 forward) is the one we liked the most.

Back then this type weren’t many available lithium. Now this days, a few options. A friend just ordered a C4, same seating style from Custom Drive. I know another person that has a D5 Evolution from Hidden Creek Golf Carts. Both cheaper than my gas Yamaha from The Villages.

Don’t know much about those companies service and loaner levels, but The Villages service is outstanding. When ever we needed some sort of service, always had access to a loaner.

Have four seater facing backward. Not conduce to carrying on a conversation. Do not use more than once a year for passengers.
Use several times a week for carrying stuff with the back seat folded down.