How old of a pre owned golf cart?
 

What is everyone’s experience with what year golf cart is the oldest you would be comfortable buying?
I know it depends on a lot of factors, but if you were doing a search, and there was a field for the oldest you would buy, what year (is it 2010, 2005, etc)?
I guess it might depend on gas vs electric?

Thanks

I just sold my 2007 electric Club Cart that was like new. Even my mechanic asked me why I sold it. Golf carts last for a very long time if they are taken care of. I just didn't use it enough to keep it. Look around and check the condition. You can tell a lot about the condition of a older cart by the way it looks. Make sure the batteries are good if you choose an electric. New Trojan batteries can cost close to $1000 for 48 volt installed. There are some good deals on used carts if you are worried about the cost of a new gas Yamaha. Check out your neighbors. They may have one for sale that is in good condition. Good Luck.

For a gas cart I would say the 2016 model Yamaha, they made this much more quiet that previous models. (Might be a 2017 model, we purchased in the fall of 2016). The added quietness is a very nice feature. You can have conversations with the person sitting next to you while driving.

same as an auto, no magical age

Depends on condition and owners knowledge? IMO For gas I say 2012 1/2 fuel injected models and later. Carburetor models are Bucky and more acceptable to stalling and plugging up, plus you have to understand how choke works. Majority F.I. Models smooth and problematic free. Electric carts, I would look for corrosion on cables, wiring and metal parts in, under, and around batteries. If you look at carts over 3 years old and have some general working knowledge I would try get non golfer cart, golfer carts usually have two to three times the usage.

IMO electric cart will have to have the batteries replaced anywhere from 5 to 7 years. Along with regular moving parts of gas carts. Gas carts require routine oil changes and gas. If you get gas cart at least pull the dip stick out and look at oil level and condition? Low or you have to peal oil off dip stick RUN away.

IMO Nothing wrong with older carts as long as they were taken care of and you can tell the difference between good on and one on cardiac arrest?

Our 2006 Yamaha gets a yearly maintenance. Still going strong. If you sit and watch carts go by, you will see some from the 90s still getting people where they need to go.

Mine is a 2001 still chugging merrily along on gas. My clever husband sees to it and it has been carefully maintained. Four seater. Bought it used in 2006. Never, ever, quit and abandoned me along the road like some electric ones do.

If considering a gas cart, I would only buy one with fuel injection.

2 years ago I purchased a 2008 (first year of the Drive model) Yamaha Drive factory 4 seater cart. It had been refurbished in 2012. It looked like new and drove like new. I have had it serviced by Todd Casey and had him install a new throttle cable when the old one gave way. I have KartAide which I used once to get the cart home when the throttle cable failed. I had new seats installed last winter which really was a great upgrade. I paid more than I wanted for this cart but still less than half what a new cart would cost. It is not EFI but is quieter than many EFIs I have driven or ridden in. Most carts and particularly Yamaha carts, are relatively trouble free and will last reliably for twenty years or more.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...1&d=1607540410

I would recommend a 2012 1/2 or newer Fuel injected Yamaha

Only consider a gas cart..... Yamaha seems to be the most reliable..... Get the newer Quietech Drive2 . you might spend a little more money but you will have it for a number of years..... Yamaha 2017 and later is a much much smoother ride and very quiet. plus they are safer... (larger turn signals) Huge differences than the older carts.... Don’t get a cart with a carburetor.... they stink and will stink up your garage.
Please Don’t buy a refurbished cart, for the most part they have been driven around a golf cart for a year before the seller even gets them, No hour meters on them, not wired with current Yamaha Parts the list goes on and on....

Gas if your a golfer. Electric if you aren't . My 2000 is still fine and works great . Replaced batteries twice
Easygo

I have a 2013 Yamaha FI and it runs like a charm. While it is not as quiet as the new ones, it is not as noisy as the old one's with a carburetor. Todd Casey has always taken care of my older Electric 2007 Club Car which I just sold and now is taking care of my Yamaha. No problems. PS: My electric club cart never broke down, or ran out of power.

For Yamaha, you want at least a 2017 model. 2017 is when they released the Drive 2. It's far quieter than earlier models, but more importantly, this is when they introduced independent suspension and the ride is FAR better than 2016 and earlier. We had a 2013 in incredible shape - took a ride once in a 2017, and then sold the 2013 and bought a 2017.

There is virtually no difference between a 2017 and 2018-2021. Same ride and design. It's little things - the 2018 had the thicker steering wheel, the 2019 has a different colored gas pedal, they introduced auto turn signals in 2021. But the design and ride remain the same.

If you see a deal on a cart from 2017 and up, go for it!

I bought a 2011 Yamaha gas golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts because I was on a budget. They serviced it and guaranteed it. I have had no problems. The problem is the web site does show The inventory or prices or years. They sales people can sort by price and year. I called back every few days and asked for the cheapest and oldest. I found one in good condition in about ten days for $5,300 out the door. Sometimes you have to go to different stores to see them. The service on mine included oil change, high speed gear, tires, windshield, wheels... It includes a loaner.