Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Can anyone give me info on purchasing a new golf cart? Any ideas on which are good and which to stay away from? How about dealers? Good/bad? I'm leaning towards a gas model but still open minded on it.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Have you thought about how much you want to spend? How many people will be in the cart (2 or 4 seater)? Do you want a "regular" cart (Yamaha, Club Car, E-Z-Go) or something special (Streed Rod or Yesteryear or Berline as examples)?
Personally I think you should give these things some thought and then figure out where to get it.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Guess I should have been a little more specific. Requirements: 2 people, 4 seater (wife would like 4 facing forward but is open to discussion), gas/electric?, price $6000 - 7000, reliability is very important, range is important, open to brands but if there are bad ones out there, I'd like to know what to avoid. Am considering a street legal but not interested in a GEM. Hope this helps. I've talked to some people already who have either gas or electric and it pretty much supports what they bought although one or two have said that they will switch on their next buy. I know a lot of people don't like gas carts but you can't always please everyone. I've heard that Ez-Go has a new one that is a lot quieter but I think the occasional smell is just the nature of the beast.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

That's a little more to go on.....

The price range for a new 4 seater is probably low, even with rear facing seats. The Villages Golf carts has 2004 refurbs that are around $7000 to $8000. Golf Cart Connection has refurbed Club Cars as well for similar prices. I saw a 4 forward facing seats cart in StreetRods up on 466 that was magnificent - looked like a limo! - for $22K!
I spoke to someone who bought his cart in Ocala at Carts & Golf who said he bought a new Yamaha 2008 Drive (gas) will all sorts of accessories (Sunbrella cover, sweater storage overhead, air-conditioner (yes, A/C), map pocket, speedometer, dash cover) all for the same price as the same cart stripped down at TVGC.
I'd stay away from street-legal as a result of the tipping issues. A cart at 20 mph could easily flip in a turn if you aren't careful (well it feels like it could anyway). I'd imagine the same design at closer to 30 mph would really be a risk. They aren't designed any different (at least nothing obvious), they don't have any increased passenger protection, and if I need to go faster than my cart I'll take the car. But that's me I guess.
I have a 2008 Yamaha Drive that I bought recently from TVGC. I know I could have found it cheaper, but I liked the idea that service was close and they gave me a 5 year warranty. I wanted gas (I have battery issues), and I'm really happy with this one as it drives well and it isn't anywhere near as noisy as you'd think. It has 4 seats (2 rear facing seats), and honestly, the folks riding in back haven't been all that comfortable if we drive anywhere far. Combination of the seat itself having less padding than the front, and the fact they are facing backwards. I might have gone 2-seater if I did it over again.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Thanks for the reply and info. This is the type of information that I'm looking for. I figured that if I were to shop further out from TV's I might get better pricing but will I be able to get local service afterwards? Guess it would depend if there were any local dealers. Tipping at higher speeds is not good and something to be considered. Has anyone out there had a problem with this? I've been in to see the Street Rods and the price :o is a little more then I'd like to pay. For 22K, I'll just get a another car, only smaller. Have you compared the noise level of your Yamaha to the new Ez-Go gas cart? I've been told that the new gas Ez-Go is pretty quiet.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

I didn't do any side by side comparisons. Probably stupid of me I guess.
I was leaning toward Yamaha because of their reputation and the convenience of the dealer being local. You should check their web site and their (probably biased) comparison of the different gas carts. They compare a number of points including fuel economy.
Once you go to yamaha.com you have to look for the motor company then the golf carts.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Be careful with the speed of the golf cart. My Florida law a golf cart is only allowed to have a speed of up to 20 mph. Golf Cart insurance is very inexpensive. Around 60.00 year

Street legal by Florida law can go up to 25 mph and must be registered, insured ( same as auto ) and have a tag.

There are many golf cart dealers around The Villages. Club Car and Par Car are located in Lady Lake. EZ GO is on Hwy 441 just North of The Villages. Yamaha's are sold at The Villages Golf Carts, located at Lake Sumter Landing and also on Hwy 441 in the Publix/Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza. Golf Cart Connection at Spruce Creek Plaza across from Wal-Mart sells Star. All of the above dealers also sell resales.

Good Luck and Have Fun.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

If you are looking for a street legal electric cart, Tomberlin is opening there new store in the Wildoaks plaza on 301 soon, they have a temporary place in the warehouses just behind there. The Tomberlin E-Merge is a street legal cart that can be tagged and driven on the cart paths or on any street that is marked 35 mph or less. If you are looking for a gas cart Yamaha is the best on the market bar none, but they are not street legal. Good Luck.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

The wife and I just ordered a street legal, or LSV (low speed vehicle), Gem Car after much research. This will be our 2nd cart/car, and will supplement our 2003 gas Yamaha. I did test drive the 2008 gas and electric versions of the EZ-Go RXV, and was very impressed, but not so much as the Gem. We decided to go with an LSV. There are several LSVs out there in addition to Gem (which I see you don't like), that you might look at (Tomberlin, Par Car, Th!nk and its Chinese knock-offs, etc.). As far as I know, all LSVs are electric. Not to say that there aren't many gas carts out there capable of 25 mph, just that they are not street legal. As expensive as they are, I don't believe the Street Rods are street legal LSVs, either.

Good luck with your shopping!

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

when looking at a used cart how can you determine the year? EZ Go puts a code on the plate under the seat but how can you read?

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

I have seen two of these Tomberlins in TV in the last week. I talked to one of the owners, and he was so proud of it, he let me take it for a spin. I was very impressed with the fit and feel of these carts. The one I drove was a four seater, all facing foreward. What I liked the best was the 4 wheel braking system and the suspension, independent 4 wheel. I didn't ask about price, but I am sure it has to be competitivewith the area.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Well we've look at the Par Car, the Ez-go and the Club Car. Wasn't impressed by the Club Car. Par Car is pretty nice and the Ez-Go has some nice features. The Ez-go (gas) was noisier then I thought it would be. As far as Street Legal, I'm leaning toward the Par Car at this time. They were the first to tell me that you can't get a Street Legal in Gas. That sure surprised me. Par Car did have a harder ride then Ez-go but the Ez-Go area was too small to really get a good feel for the cart. Par Car is not cheap but a lot is included in the base price. Par Car was pretty straight forward on price, Ez-Go gave me a package of paper and essentially said figure it out for yourself :dontknow:. Will do Yamaha and Tomberlin next. Did see a Par Car with 4 people facing forward at Publix's but Par Car rep said that it would not be good going thru tunnels, wide turning and should only be used on the streets north of 466. South of 466 shouldn't have as much problems as we have more room down here ::). This is getting to be an adventure and the money is getting to be more then I initially planned. But that is the joy of living in TV's.

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Go back a few months or search older threads and you will find a couple hundred items discussing brands, price, dealers, gas/electric, reliability and service -- lots of info, too much to repeat -- Lucko

Re: Purchasing a new golf cart
 

Interesting results of your findings. Please keep us informed of any future findings - especially test drives.

Thanks

F16