Golf cart help
 

I'm still overwhelmed with buying a golf cart. Gas or electric is fine w me. My issue is the villages didn't even have a cart less than 12k and most 20k.
Here is my question, should I just find a used cart, 6k to 8k just to get on the course and learn more for the future?

The new carts that are 10k and under look awesome but I worry about quality and service.

Any help appreciated.

I have seen some interesting used carts. What is more important miles or hours? Is there a rule of thumb per year?

I see lots of used gas Yamahas for sale here on TOTV for between $8-11 thousand. Be selective and get one gently used with low hours and you’ll be good to go.

Go to Botero Golf Carts of Ocala and look at the Evolution Ranger D5. It has a ton of features (many not found on a Yamaha), is built well, rides better, looks better and list is $9,495!

Adding a rain enclosure is a bit over $1K more, and if you decide to upgrade the battery to a larger version that adds another $1.5K - $2K. Even with that you're still around only $12K for a 4 forward facing seat cart!

I've had mine for 8 months and have 2,400 miles on it - I couldn't be happier!

Standard features include:

1) 4 Forward facing seats
2) 3 point seat belts
3) Automotive style steering wheel and dash display
4) Self cancelling turn signals
5) Auto parking brake
6) Adjustable steering column
7) Radio, bluetooth, and soundbar
8) 4 wheel disc brakes

It’s not that hard. Don’t over think it.
When you get here, rent one for 2 or 3 weeks. Look at what others are driving and get that.
You are going to see most have the Yamaha gas cart, the hardest choice is what color to get. The only upgrade really worth it are comfortable seats. Don’t pay for much else.
Why waste the $6,000 or $8,000 on a short term cart?

If you go with a used cart, make sure it has the options that you want. Chances are good that you will decide you don't need to replace it anytime soon so get something you will be happy with, not just something that you can get by with.

The D5 gets great reviews. The one thing I would make sure to look at is the height of the cart and whether it can get through all the Villages tunnels. There may be D5s that are short enough, there may be a way to shorten a tall D5, or you may choose not to go to Saddlebrook or the Polo Fields. Just make sure to consider that so you aren't surprised in the future.

Golf Carts
 

Bunch on craigslist in the Orlando area, just shop around and make an offer. Most people have them listed $500 to $1000 more then what they will take.

Find a good used Villages nicely accessorized Yamaha gas with low hours and you will be good to go for years. 2014-2016's fuel injected will be priced in the $5-7K range. You can also find the Yamaha Quitechs 2017-2019 in the $8500-10500 range.
I just picked up a 2014 fuel inj. with lots of extras including comfy seats for $5500. 350 hours.

we just bought a used 2018 Yamaha. Whatever you get, make sure you get upgraded seats! You'll thank me later.

I'm not sold on the [ off ] brands, they sound good until you need parts or repair. i have seen some off brands that aren't around anymore. good luck.

Hi BPrice.

There are some good options out there even brand new at or around 10k. If you go lithium you really need to get a larger amp battery. something with 200+ is ideal. Just be careful with used carts electric or gas. Most people to know that warranties on golf carts are nontransferable. If you want to grab a drink at one of the squares or Sawgrass we can have a discussion around the different options.

Good Luck
Thanks
Serge

My neighbor is moving and is selling their 2019 Yamaha Golf Cart for $7500. Let me know if you want their contact info.

Get a used cart. Look for anything 2017 or newer, that's when the Yamaha QuieTech first came out. Club Cars and EZ-Go carts are louder, probably a little less expensive, and every golf cart repair guy in and around the villages has the expertise and parts to repair and/or do maintenance on all three.

Make sure your new cart is NOT able to go faster than 20-21mph - if you want to intentionally speed it up, you should be the one who arranges for it. Reason: people who rig their carts to go faster than the legal maximum might or might not know what they're doing. And who knows what else they did, that was a jury-rig that could go wrong. The legal maximum would be 20, but even if you set it to only go 20, sometimes going around a bend at full speed, or when you start to go downhill at full speed, it'll temporarily zip a little faster before it slows back down again.

Some things you will definitely want: turn signals that make an obnoxious beeping sound. Even self-cancelling turn signals on golf carts don't always cancel, and if you can't hear it, you won't necessarily know that everyone behind you and coming toward you is expecting you to turn, when you're not interested in turning. Seat belts. Get them, wear them. Faithfully. If you're on the short side, get a lumbar pillow instead of a gas pedal block. Reason: lumbar pillows are much more comfy, and you don't have to lift your leg even higher than the already-lifted block, just to reach the brake pedal. If your body is simply positioned closer to the edge of your seat, you'll be driving more efficiently, and upright instead of stretched out.

I also suggest - that if you have external side mirrors, you make sure they don't obscure everything that's right in front of you to your left or right. You can very easily miss someone walking from a parking lot into a supermarket, who thinks you're going to stop for them, simply because the mirror was blocking them from your view. Make sure they're placed either high up, or down low. Or you can get the internal ones instead.

Lastly, I highly recommend that you get one that comes with a sunbrella or similar. Not doors, and not totally open. A sunbrella attaches to the outer frame of the vehicle and roof, it's the zip-up plastic and cloth thing that you see on most golf carts. Replacements can be around $1000 and up, so if yours comes with it, it's just that much less you have to add later.

This is what I did and I'm very happy with it so far. 205 battery is needed in my opinion.

I have looked at those online. Of course, the other brands salesmen scare the heck out of you with parts and service. It's still high on the list. Thanks

Yes, please send me their info.

You can easily get a 5-6 year old Yamaha gas cart with important add-ons like Sunbrella within that budget. No need to start running around trying to get something better than that.

Golf cart
 

Try custom drive on 441

2017 Yamaha Quiet Tech.
 

I have 2-2017 Yamaha Quiet Tech's for sale as we are moving. Both carts have been well maintained. Either one for $8,000.

Liberal or Conservative?

I'm about to have an Estate Sale for my parents, and an electric golf cart is included in the sale. That might be one route for you to check out. The sale will be @ the 12-14th of September. They'll start cataloging everything thing next week, so it's not posted yet. Now that I see what estate sales are all about, I wonder why I buy anything new! Graham’s Appraisals & Estate Sales, Inc. – Serving Central Florida since 1981

Check out Custom Drive on 441.

They have a good mix of new and used, including Yamahas. My friend just got a two seater lithium electric C2 is the model I think, with a big 210a battery. Right now is listed at under $9K I believe. You can see their service fleet going around in The Villages. Very easy going process, no pressure kind of place.

As a reference my friend pickup the cart from the showroom on 441 and drove straight to his new house in Shady Brook (Eastport area). Only used about 25% battery in what I consider one of the longest drive in The Villages.

Evolution carts apparently are not well built. You must go over them with a fine tooth comb looking for loose fasteners and wiring hanging about. As there have been many reports of those issues. Then you need to worry about service, getting parts on them. With some owners waiting months for simple parts. For now, I’ll stick to tried and true Yamaha.

I looked online on a customdrive C2 and it's definitely a contender. The larger battery and list of standard options is hard to beat.

There is a reason you see more Yamaha carts than other brands here in TV. They are built to last, dependable, and (when needed) service parts are readily available. Back during the Covid crunch, carts were in short supply and high demand. Pre owned carts were being snapped up immediately, and new carts were taking 6 months to come in. Not any more. Even the classified section here on TOTV has several pre owned carts listed every day. I suggest you take your time, and look for a 2017 or newer Yamaha with low miles/hours, that has been well maintained, and has at least the major features you require. At the top of that feature list should be upgraded, comfortable seats. You will spend a lot of time in your cart, and good, comfy seats are a must. Good luck with your search.

DO NOT BUY FROM THE VILLAGES!! Save thousands by going outside the bubble and get a “traveling company” come to your home for maintenance check up every year and save there also!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

My thoughts...

I pretty much see golf carts the way I see automobiles. In each case you're buying unused miles so the focus for us is how pretty a package do you want those miles wrapped in, and the prettier the package, the more those miles are going to cost. New cart warranties vary but odds are you will own the cart for some time after the warranty expires, and the more frills and doodads on your cart, the higher and more frequent will be the post-warranty repair bills.

We bought a 2013 Yamaha for $5,800 (if memory serves) when we moved here four years ago. Pretty basic but it gets us reliably from Point A to Point B, burns very little gas, and costs next to nothing in repairs. Other than scheduled service, we've replaced the drive belt once. Yamaha carts are known for being bulletproof and our experience certainly bears that out. Also on the plus side we bought it used for a pretty good price and odds are it wouldn't sell for much less than what we paid if we ever do sell it.

Go to Club Car on US 441. They have excellent carts for the best price. Also, very low financing rates are available. Just bother to check them out. And I believe there is a sale going on right now too

Who do you recommend for a traveling cart maintenance company please? We aren’t impressed with The Villages Golf Car stores service departments. TIA!

Evolution Golf Carts Homosassa, FL | San Antonio, FL

Hours Villages | Hidden Creek Golf Carts | Brooksville Florida

Golf cart
 

I will say we decided to purchase outside the villages. Botero carts Ocala. It’s been a real nightmare we purchased new and it took forever getting the cart that was paid for and when we finally received it they ordered the climate enclosure to large and it hung terrible it looked horrendous. And then they put holes in the wrong places for the correct size cover and damaged the cart we are very disappointed. And it’s been months since we purchased it and it’s still not taken care of.

You'l get a hundred replies and a hundred opinions.

The best move you can make is to take a pleasant 30 minute drive through "old" Florida to Webster to Country Power and buy a new Yamaha. You'll get a great cart with a warranty and a great price. You can plan on saving in the area of $3K over buying from The Villages.

Country Power will deliver the cart for no charge. When it is time for the first service, which Yamaha requires be done at the dealership, Country Power will pick up the cart at your house and return it for no charge. When it is time for the usual service, probably once/year, it will do that at your house. Country Power has a truck and serviceman working in The Villages several days each week.

You will deal with very pleasant people who do business in an old-fashioned, small-town way. In addition their store, a converted old feed and grain warehouse, is a real kick to see.

Try Wholesale Golf Carts on 441. Ask for Chase (owner). Great prices, great service. We have purchased two there…and will do it again.

An electric golf cart has fewer parts than a gas cart so is inherently more reliable. An electric golf cart has a lower center of gravity so it won't overturn as easily as a gas cart. It handles better on turns. An electric golf cart is less expensive to operate and repair. an E-cart is quieter. With a GAS golf cart you are always SMELLING and handling gas cans, gas hoses, and waiting in lines at gas stations. And finally, (for those that care) an Electric golf cart is better for the ENVIRONMENT.

You know, I believed this. My cart was having trouble moving - I'd hit the gas and nothing would happen. This occurred more and more often, til one day it just refused to go at all. While I was in the middle of the road. I had to push it into a parking lot and get it towed home. Called a guy who came and insisted it was a volt regulator, and that my battery was dead. So $200+ later, I had a new volt regulator, the battery was charged, and it seemed to work fine until a week later, when it started doing the same behaviors.

Called him after a couple of months of this delayed acceleration. He came and said this time it was the rear bushings. So he replaced them, for around $150.

Worked more or less fine, but then it started happening again. I got fed up and gave in and went to The Villages Golf Carts. They told me both front AND rear bushings were cracked, they replaced them all. They also tightened something on the throttle that had come loose, which might have been contributing to this problem.

Everything works great now. Yes their prices are nuts. But I'm paying for peace of mind. While they had my golf cart, I had one of theirs. Free loaners to anyone who has to leave their vehicle for the day. And if you bought the cart there, you get priority service and quicker appointments during the busy season.

That might all be true, however it doesn't answer the question he was asking.

One BIG thing to worry about when buying a USED GAS cart is that the previous owner MAY have "jacked up" the governor so that the engine will RPM at a greater rate than they were designed for. This allowed them to travel at 30 or even 40 MPH. When they sell the vehicle, they dial that governor back to normal. There are many modified USED golf carts running around The Villages (I would guess 50%). The Police don't seem to worry too much about golf cart speeding. The high RPMs of these engines runs excessive raw gasoline through the engine, which hurts the engine and usually the 2ND OWNER then must pay for the engine overhaul.
..........I would advise all potential USED golf cart buyers to sit in a yard near a street that has a lot of Golf Cart traffic and notice the loud sound of MOST (50%) of the passing Carts. Then, after the cart goes by about 40ft, the exhaust gas (And SMELL) will become apparent on a non-windy day.
........Because of this practice, I would advise BUYING an electric golf cart or a NEW Cart.

I don't understand that comment because in their Post #1, they specifically asked for information about new and used ELECTRIC OR GAS golf carts.

Singing same old song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1HggcfnHpo

Just in case anyone is interested...... I love some fresh green beans! I just don't talk about them everyday. lol

What is the real meaning of obsession?
When someone is obsessed, they've lost control of their feelings about the object of their obsession. The adjective obsessed is often used to simply mean "very interested," but when someone is truly obsessed, their interest has become compulsive, and they've begun to lose control over it.

Don't give him that much credit, much of it is not true.