Columbia ParCars?
 

Does anyone have any experience with ParCars, either gas or electric? What about the new A.G.M. (Maintenance-free) batteries now being offered by Columbia ParCar?

We have a ParCar (2005) and like it OK but no experience with the maint. free batteries. Biggest problem with ParCar is that you are a "captive audience" as far as service goes. ParCar will not sell repair parts to other dealers at anything but retail prices. This pretty much forces you to have repairs made by them at their shop in Leesburg. If I ever get something else, it probably will not be a ParCar due to the maintenance hassles.

I would want to know how long the batteries are guaranteed and the replacement cost.................if they are gel type, they can be rather expensive.

There are a few good repairmen that will service your ParCar. You have to pay retail for the parts, but in my opinion, their work far exceeds that of the company service center. Try A-1 Golf Carts for good service.

good point anna, I would guess that anything extra paid for retail parts cost could be saved by lower labor cost and no cost to pick up and return cart to/from ParCar service facility... the other alternative is to go with one of the BIG three rather than PC....gn

I've had a Columbia Par Car for three years. Love it, love it, love it.

Never had a problem. Seems to go forever without recharging. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Thanks, appreciate all your responses. To elaborate a bit from my original post-------

We are Village newbys, and intend to be seasonal residents. We've driven a couple of gas carts and dislike the noise and smells. We were told rather emphatically by a couple of sales people that elecric carts are not for seasonal residents due to high battery maintenance requirements. We learned about the maintenance-free batteries newly available in new ParCars. These are not gel batteries, they are aborbed glass-mat or AGM. As I understand they are completely sealed, and I think liquid-free, and so there is no worry about maintaining their water level. As I understand, they do need to be charged periodically. ParCar salesman says they have an on-board charger that can be programmed to kick on once a month when unattended. The rub is that these batteries are expensive, and carry only an 18-month warranty. A Club Car advocate still insists that as seasonal residents, we'll regret if we get an electric, even with "maintenance-free" batteries. He also says that gas club cars are significantly quieter and less smelly than gas Yamahas or E-Z-gos.

I don't expect that anyone has any experience with AGM batteries on a golf cart - they're too new. What about the Club Cars (gas) being quieter and less smelly than other gas carts? Also what experiences have other seasonal residents had with electric carts, especially regarding battery longevity?

I have an electric cart for 12 years as a seasonal resident here and in another Adult Community prior. It is a 1998 EZGO and still works great. Replaced the batteries only once about 2 years ago. I have no problems as long as it is unplugged when I leave and the batteries have water. We have 'Affordable Home Watch' which looks after the home and the Golf Cart when we are not here and they do a great job for us.

Thanks for your response; now I have to ask what is a Ford think? What is a NEV? What is proper storage during the Summer period of non-use? Would the hot Florida Summer provide more of an issue than cold northern winters? Would we need to have someone come in and add water every month or two? You say the AGM batteries will last only 24 months?? Less than good "conventional" batteries?
Thanks again for your response, I look forward to hearing more.

This is exactly the type of info I have waiting to see discussed. I am leaning towards purchasing the ParCar but held up until a whole bunch of furniture got purchased and the dust settled on the new home purchase.

I visited several golf cart dealers and still prefer the ParCar. I was told by the sales rep that service was done at the home site, and the 5 yr warrenty is the best I have seen so far. I have also done some online company research of various golf cars. I like the "regenerative braking system" concept to extend battery charge and range.

I anybody has any info to challenge what I have been told during sales presentation I would definately like to read about it.

Much appreciated.

Never mind, I googled NEV - for anyone else as clueless as me it means Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. As far as golf cars, I believe it translates to those that are "street-legal".

I would still like to know how to properly store the golf car over the summer to preserve the batteries, and whether it is true that battery water level needs to be checked weekly or biweekly (or monthly?) during storage?

AGM Battery
 

Mazda puts AGM batteries in the Miata since the battery is in the trunk area. Since the battery is sealed, you don't have to worry about electrolyte leaking into the trunk/fender area. They are more expensive to purchase and they require a charger that produces a slow charge rate, otherwise the mats can be damaged and the battery will fail prematurely. The one in my car is 6 years old. I bought a special charger that keeps it fully charged between drives. Works well.

villagerjack: How long are you gone at a time? Does the cart remain unplugged the entire time you're gone? Does Affordable Home Watch do anything with your cart during that time, like refilling batteries, recharging, etc.?

Blueheronfan,
Its been about 2 months since your post and am wondering what or if you purchased and do you like it. You and I are in exactly the same boat. I'll be moving in next week and have tons of stuff to do before I can get serious about purchasing a cart. I have done extensive research over the internet though and also like Par Car. I'll be in the new Buttonwood Village and it's in the far SW. corner of TV and I'd like to have a long range on a charge. Otherwise I'll go to gas. I'd appreciate whatever help you could give me.

Shimpy,

I tend to be one to probably over analyze until I am completely comfortable with my selection. (did the same thing for 4 months online before we built our home)

I like several things about the Par Car, but need to revisit to see if anything has changed since my first dealer visit last November. What I do like is the 8/6volt batteries for extended range, the 13" steelbelt radial tires for a smoother street ride, and the extra road height. See, by now I have let the emotion soften enough to let me see the things that I do not care for on the Par Car.

What I do not care for. The tiny headlights. The pop rivit roof, and the way it looks. Saw a Par Car at the square and don't know if it was age, the sun or just the roof itself but it looked like the roof was curling at the rivits.

So right now, I am between an EZ go, and the Tomberlin. The Tomberlin also is using the 8/6volt batteries for the extended range so that is a wash. The extra's I like that are standard, is the glass windshield and wiper (for me rainex is able to be used on it), the seatbelts, the 10" aluminum wheels, the speedometer and odometer, the hand parking brake, the matching roof, the locking glove boxes, and lastly, the removable trunk.

Regarding the EZ go, I have not looked closely enough yet, but it is second in the running.

Hope this helps.......actually writing it out, kind of seems to be making my decision easier.